2021 -- H 5281 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC000807/SUB A/2
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021
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AN ACT
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Noret, Kazarian, Ackerman,
and Azzinaro
Date Introduced: January 29, 2021
Referred To: House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is
2 hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3 30-15-45. Essential mental health and substance use disorder services.
4 During any declared state or local disaster emergency pursuant to this chapter, mental
5 health and substance use disorder services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics
6 Anonymous or other agencies that provide similar services to those seeking support for substance
7 use disorders shall be considered an essential health benefit and the services provided thereby shall
8 be permitted during the disaster emergency; provided, that adequate measures are implemented to
9 provide the services safely within whatever guidelines may be established to address the issues
10 relative to the declared disaster emergency.
11 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC000807/SUB A/2
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 EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
AN ACT
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
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1 This act would permit Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings and
2 permit other agencies to provide similar services for substance use disorders during a declared
3 disaster emergency.
4 This act would take effect upon passage.
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