2000-2001 Legislative Report

The 2000 and 2001 Sessions of the Rhode Island General Assembly continued to be supportive of public health issues. The General Assembly considered and enacted legislation that advanced the State’s health agenda, increased access to health care and assured the quality of regulations overseeing health care products, providers and facilities. The Rhode Island General Assembly works collaboratively with the general public, interest groups, lobbyist and members of the Executive Branch to assure that new policies are inclusive, effective and appropriate.

ADVANCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENDA:

Reducing Tobacco use and exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke:

$1,000,000 for counter advertising matched by Massachusetts (2000 PL 55).
$1,000,000 for treatment of nicotine addiction (2001 PL 77).
Financial support to RIte Care for nicotine replacement therapy (2001 PL 77).
Raises fines for selling to under age buyers (2000 PL 103, 366).
Prohibits smoking at childcare centers (2000 PL 218, 222), all health care, residential care and assisted living facilities (2001 PL 69).
Increases tobacco tax (2001 PL 77).
Bans sale of tobacco over the Internet (2000 PL 210) and bidis (2001 PL 124, 149) to minors.

Promoting the health of our youngsters:

$525,000 for School Based Health Centers (2001 PL 77).
Tightens requirements for child restraint systems (2001 PL 132).
Requires helmets for those under age 16 when on inline skates (2001 PL 202).
Updates newborn screening test basis (2001 PL 63, 213).
Expands health insurer role in infant-child immunizations (2000 PL 293).

Protecting our seniors:

Expands rights of home care patients (2001 PL 236, 381).
Requires family notification of certain patient incidents (2001 PL 392).
Covers arthritis (2000 PL 143, 253) and osteoporosis (2001 PL 137, 138) prescription drugs for RIPAE program participants.
Requires air conditioning in residential health facilities (2000 PL 240, 243).
Mandates flu vaccine for nursing home residents (2000 PL 263).

Supporting Safer Communities:

Outlaws aggressive driving (2000 PL 254).
Sets .08 percent as the legal blood alcohol level for driving while intoxicated (2000 PL 264).
Expands DNA collection to more classes of felons, pending federal funds (2001 PL 42, 76).

Policies for healthy environments:

Restricts pesticides in schools (2001 PL 293).
Limits use of latex gloves and requires educational notices for employees and customers (2001 PL 383).
Mandates at least one carbon monoxide detector in every residence (2001 PL 177).
Bans mercury thermometers (2001 PL 207).
Directs hardware stores to post lead prevention notices (2000 PL 255).
Alerts consumers about mercury-consumption health risks (2001 PL 252).
Enacts a statewide mercury control plan (2001 PL 234, 318).
Establishes and implements air and water quality standards for environmental management district (2000 PL 288).
Delivers drinking water quality reports to all consumers (2000 PL 247).

INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Expanding policies that assure access and quality:

Requires hospitals to provide qualified sign language interpreters and interpreters for non-English speakers in certain situations (2001 PL 88, 253).
Considers all genetic information confidential (2001 PL 38, 54).
Screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer covered by insurance (2000 PL 345).
Follows American Cancer Society guidelines for state-funded breast cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women (2000 PL 277).
Authorizes sale of needles without prescriptions (2001 PL 285).
Extends Medicaid eligibility to the elderly and individuals with disabilities who fall within the income guidelines (2000 PL 104).
Creates the RIteShare Health Insurance Premium Assistance Program (2000 PL 200).
Mandates health insurers provide equal limits on coverage for mental illness and substance abuse services (2001 PL 174, 409).

Advancing the health care workforce:

Authorizes collaborative pharmacy practice (2001 PL 68).
Supports training of pharmacy technicians at Vocational High Schools (2001 PL 170, 368, 413).
Approves retired nurses to volunteer services (2001 PL 334).
Creates no interest loans for RNs who borrowed from Higher Education (2001 PL 332 ).
Develops needlestick injury prevention plans (2001 PL 372, 382).

ASSURE THE QUALITY OF REGULATIONS

Impact on insurance products and reports:

Strengthens review of health services utilization (2001 PL 238).
Expands membership of the Health Care Quality steering committee (2000 PL 151, 375).

Enhance facility oversight:

Requires hospitals post phone number for HEALTH’s Concern Line (2000 PL 76).
Creates license category for School Based Health Centers (2001 PL 168).

Update professional practice and licensure statutes:

Updates professional licensure acts for, Athletic Trainers (2000 PL 196), Chiropractors (2000 PL 347), Dentists and Dental Hygienists (2001 PL 260, 273), Electrolysis (2000 PL 174), Hairdressers (2001 PL 165), Hearing Aid Dealers (2000 PL 465), Opticians (2001 PL 167), Optometrists (2000 PL 152), Pharmacy and Pharmacists (2001 PL 60), Physician Assistants (2000 PL 364), Psychologists (2000 PL 204), Plumbers (2000 PL 425), Respiratory Care Therapists (2000 PL 172), and Social Workers (2001 PL 169).

Medicine & Health Rhode Island