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 amendment includes a new insertion that specifies patients shall not be denied appropriate care based on 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. This replaces the previous language which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or source of payment. The bill 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-saving research where the patient cannot consent.

Additional patient rights outlined in the bill include the right to examine and receive explanations of medical bills, access to healthcare facility rules and regulations, the use of personal television sets in compliance with safety standards, and the right to have pain assessed regularly. The bill also prohibits charges for furnishing health records when needed for appeals under the Social Security Act, claims under the Workers' Compensation Act, or for veterans' benefits applications. It ensures patients are informed about hospice care options. The bill is set to take effect upon passage, and the explanation by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act aims to ensure patients are not denied care based on a comprehensive list of personal characteristics and socioeconomic factors.

Statutes affected:
412: 23-17-19.1