The "Healthcare Provider Shield Act" is a bill designed to protect the legal right to access gender-affirming and reproductive health care services in the state, as defined in § 23-100-2. It introduces a new chapter, CHAPTER 100, which includes definitions and provisions to support the act's objectives, such as defining "aid and assist legally protected health care activity," "aggrieved person," "foreign judgment," "gender-affirming health care services," "health care provider," and "hostile litigation." The bill expands the definition of "police" and introduces the term "legally protected health care activity," which includes gender-affirming and reproductive health care services provided by licensed individuals in the state. It also outlines legal recourse for individuals facing "hostile litigation" and prohibits the enforcement of foreign judgments related to hostile litigation if due process was not observed. Additionally, the bill restricts courts from ordering individuals within the state to provide testimony or documents in proceedings outside the state concerning hostile litigation.

The bill includes provisions to protect healthcare providers and those aiding in legally protected healthcare activities from legal processes initiated by out-of-state entities. It prohibits the issuance of subpoenas in connection with hostile litigation and prevents business entities from providing assistance in response to out-of-state legal processes related to legally protected healthcare activities. The bill also restricts the use of public resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding that seeks to impose liability for legally protected healthcare activities. Furthermore, the bill amends Chapter 12-9 of the General Laws entitled "Extradition" and proposes a new chapter (Chapter 37.8, "Protections for Healthcare Providers Act") to protect healthcare providers from adverse actions such as refusal to issue or renew malpractice policies, charging higher rates for malpractice policies, canceling or terminating policies, or imposing sanctions, fines, penalties, or rate increases based on the provider's involvement in legally protected healthcare activities. It also includes employment protections for providers and amends Section 23-17-53 of the General Laws regarding physician contracts with hospitals. Additionally, the bill amends the disclosure of information about physicians in their profiles and ensures the confidentiality of personal contact information of licensed professionals in public provider profiles, registries, and other lists maintained by the Department of Health. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7577  SUB A: 23-17-53, 5-37-9.2
7577: 5-37-9.2