Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
H7932 2026 -- H 7932 ======== LC005822 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Cruz, and McGaw Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Health & Human Services It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 23-17 of the General Laws entitled Licensing of Healthcare 2 Facilities is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 23-17-54.1. Protection of American sign language interpreter services. 4 (a) No reduction without approval. No hospital, freestanding emergency-care facility, state 5 agency, or other entity providing public services shall reduce the number, availability, or hours of 6 American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services required under state or federal law, including 7 §§ 23-17-54 and 8-5-8, without the prior written approval of the Rhode Island commission on the 8 deaf and hard of hearing (RICDHH). 9 (b) Commission review. The RICDHH shall review any proposed reduction to ensure that 10 the reduction will not impair meaningful communication access for individuals who are deaf, hard 11 of hearing, or deaf-blind. 12 (c) Approval criteria. In granting approval, the RICDHH shall consider: 13 (1) Current and projected need for ASL interpreter services in the affected setting; 14 (2) The availability of qualified interpreters; 15 (3) Any proposed alternative communication methods; and 16 (4) Compliance with federal and state accessibility laws. 17 (d) Enforcement. Any reduction of ASL interpreter services without RICDHH approval 18 shall constitute a violation of licensure, certification, or program compliance requirements, as 19 applicable, and may result in administrative penalties, including fines, suspension, or revocation of 1 licensure or program authorization. 2 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005822 ======== LC005822 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES *** 1 This act would require approval by the Rhode Island commission on the deaf and hard of 2 hearing before any reduction in American Sign Language interpreter services in hospitals and other 3 public service facilities. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005822 ======== LC005822 - Page 3 of 3
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