The bill amends Section 23-17-19.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17, entitled "Licensing of Healthcare Facilities," to update and expand the rights of patients in healthcare facilities. The bill introduces several insertions to the existing law, including specifying that patients shall not be denied appropriate care on the basis of age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin, source of income, source of payment, or profession. It also includes provisions for patient privacy, the right to refuse treatment, the right to be informed about medical procedures and personnel involved in their care, and the right to be informed about and refuse participation in human-subjects research, with certain exceptions for life-threatening situations and approved institutional review board research.

Additionally, the bill outlines the patient's right to examine and receive explanations of their medical bills, access healthcare facility rules and regulations, and use personal television sets in compliance with safety standards. It prohibits charges for furnishing health records when needed for appeals under the Social Security Act or claims under the Workers' Compensation Act, or for veterans applying for benefits. The bill also ensures the right to pain assessment, information about hospice care, and mandates that healthcare facilities respond reasonably to requests for medical services. A deletion from the current law removes language about offering treatment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or source of payment, which is replaced by the more inclusive language in the insertion. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5428  as amended: 23-17-19.1
5428: 23-17-19.1