The bill establishes a new chapter in Title 40 of the General Laws, specifically creating Chapter 8.16, which is dedicated to the Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program. It appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the fiscal year 2027 and every fiscal year thereafter to support the program's operational and educational activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, the recruitment and retention of residents and faculty, the development and implementation of an innovative curriculum focused on primary care and community health, the expansion of clinical training sites in underserved and rural areas, the acquisition of necessary equipment and resources to enhance training and patient care, and support for administrative functions and program evaluation.

The bill also outlines reporting requirements for the Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program, which must submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Department of Health. This report will detail the use of state funds, program outcomes, and its impact on addressing the primary care needs of Rhode Island residents, including metrics such as the number of residents trained and their subsequent practice locations, a summary of program activities and curriculum enhancements, a financial statement detailing the use of state funds, and an evaluation of the program's impact on healthcare access and outcomes in Rhode Island.

Additionally, the bill includes a severability clause, stating that if any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.