The bill amends Section 23-17-19.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17, entitled "Licensing of Healthcare Facilities," to update the rights of patients in healthcare facilities. The amendment includes a new insertion that specifies the title "23-17-19.1. Rights of patients." It outlines various rights such as the right to considerate and respectful care, the right to know the names of physicians responsible for their care, the right to refuse treatment, the right to privacy and confidentiality, and the right to be informed about and refuse participation in human-subjects research, among others. The bill also includes a deletion, changing the word "and" to "or" in the context of informing patients about their right to refuse participation in human-subjects research.

The bill further specifies that no charge shall be made for furnishing health records to a patient or their representative for certain purposes, such as supporting an appeal under the Social Security Act or a claim under the Workers' Compensation Act. It also ensures that patients have the right to have their pain assessed regularly and to receive information about hospice care. The bill mandates that healthcare facilities conducting human-subjects research must comply with the patient consent and/or de-identification requirements of 21 C.F.R. Pt. 50 and/or 45 C.F.R. Pt. 46, which relate to the informed consent of human subjects. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
362: 23-17-19.1