The "Healthcare Provider Shield Act" is a bill designed to safeguard access to transgender and reproductive healthcare services in Rhode Island, establishing it as a legal right and defining terms such as "aggrieved person," "aid and assist legally protected healthcare activity," and "hostile litigation." The bill introduces new legal language to protect transgender healthcare services, excluding conversion therapy, and sets forth provisions for civil actions against persons engaging in hostile litigation. It outlines jurisdictional rules for state courts, prohibits certain actions by state officials in relation to out-of-state legal processes, and establishes that Rhode Island law governs cases related to legally protected healthcare activities. Additionally, the bill prevents public agencies and law enforcement from cooperating with interstate investigations that target these healthcare activities and includes protections for healthcare providers against professional disciplinary action based solely on their engagement in legally protected healthcare activities.

The bill also addresses insurance protections for providers, prohibiting insurers from taking adverse actions based on the provider's engagement in legally protected healthcare activities. It stipulates conditions under which hospitals can grant or restrict medical staff privileges, emphasizing that hospitals cannot take adverse actions against a provider's privileges based on disciplinary actions from another state that resulted from legally protected healthcare activities. The bill amends physician profiles to ensure public access to certain data while protecting personal information and allowing physicians to omit non-essential information. It outlines procedures for physicians to review and correct their profiles and extends confidentiality and protection against adverse actions to a broader range of healthcare professionals, including social workers and therapists, for engaging in legally protected healthcare activities. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2262  SUB A: 23-17-53, 5-37-9.2
2262: 23-17-53, 5-37-9.2