2026 -- S 3064

========

LC005342

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Lawson, Ciccone, and Murray

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

     (1) Rhode Island faces an ongoing and worsening projected shortage of physicians and

healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care and underserved communities;

     (2) Establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island would strengthen the

state's healthcare workforce pipeline, improve access to care, and support long-term economic

development; and

     (3) An initial state investment is necessary to support leadership recruitment, faculty hiring,

accreditation planning, and curriculum development for such medical school.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws entitled "University of Rhode Island [See

Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

thereto the following section:

     16-32-43. University of Rhode Island medical school -- Establishment and funding.

     (a) For fiscal year 2027, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated

from general revenues to the University of Rhode Island for the purpose of initiating the

establishment of a medical school.

     (b) Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for operating

expenses and salaries related to, including, but not limited to:

     (1) Hiring a founding dean and senior leadership;

     (2) Recruitment of core faculty and administrative staff;

     (3) Accreditation preparation and compliance activities; and

     (4) Curriculum planning and institutional development.

     (c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the fiscal year 2027 appropriation represents

the first phase of a multi-year state investment to support the development of a medical school at

the University of Rhode Island.

     (d) Subject to future appropriations, the general assembly anticipates additional funding in

the following amounts:

     (1) Fiscal year 2028: Seven million dollars ($7,000,000); and

     (2) Fiscal year 2029: Eight million dollars ($8,000,000).

     (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any future general assembly to

appropriate such funds.

     (f) The University of Rhode Island shall submit a report to the governor and the general

assembly no later than January 1, 2028, detailing:

     (1) The use of funds appropriated under this section;

     (2) Progress toward accreditation and institutional readiness;

     (3) Faculty and leadership hiring progress; and

     (4) A projected timeline and budget for subsequent phases of development.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005342

========

LC005342 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

***

     This act would establish the framework to create a medical school at the University of

Rhode Island and provide an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first

phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005342

========

LC005342 - Page 3 of 3