Bill Sponsors
Ackerman, McNamara, Kennedy, Newberry, Shallcross Smith, Donovan, Fellela, Serpa, Diaz, and Ajello
Committee
House Health & Human Services
Summary
Select
This bill updates the training requirements for medical professionals regarding Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments. It requires licensed physicians, nurses, and physician assistants to complete at least one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of these conditions during every license renewal period. Previously, physicians and nurses only had to complete a one-time training course, and physician assistants were not explicitly included in this specific requirement.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Improves the quality of care for vulnerable populations, specifically the elderly and those with cognitive decline, by ensuring medical professionals receive ongoing education.
- Expands the mandate to include physician assistants, recognizing their vital role in the healthcare system and broadening the safety net of trained providers.
- Transitions from a one-time requirement to a recurring educational standard, promoting systemic reform in how healthcare workers address complex cognitive diseases over time.
Cons for Progressives
- Fails to provide state funding or subsidies for this required training, potentially placing an unfair financial burden on healthcare workers.
- Does not explicitly mandate training on how cognitive impairments disproportionately affect marginalized, minority, or low-income communities.
- Only requires one hour of training per renewal period, which may be insufficient to adequately prepare healthcare workers for the complex needs of patients with severe cognitive decline.
Pros for Conservatives
- Improves the standard of care in the private healthcare market without creating a massive new government program or agency to oversee the training.
- Supports traditional family values by ensuring better medical care and support for elderly family members suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
- Keeps the regulatory burden relatively low by only requiring a single hour of training per renewal period, rather than imposing dozens of hours of mandatory coursework.
Cons for Conservatives
- Increases government regulation by mandating recurring, continuing education requirements for healthcare professionals instead of allowing the free market to dictate training needs.
- Expands the scope of the state mandate to include physician assistants, adding unnecessary regulatory burdens to an additional class of medical workers.
- Removes the previous one-time training cap, forcing medical professionals to repeatedly spend time and resources on this specific government-mandated topic indefinitely.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. This bill falls well within the state's police power to regulate medical licensing and ensure public health and safety. Requiring continuing education for licensed medical professionals is a standard regulatory practice and does not infringe upon free speech, due process, or protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Physician assistants
- Alzheimer's patients
- Patients with cognitive impairments
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/13/2026 Introduced, referred to House Health & Human Services
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended to read as follows:
23-1.7-5. Medical professional training.
(a) All physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5,and nurses licensed pursuant to chapter 34 of title 5, shall, no later than October 1, 2023, complete a one-time course of training consisting of and physician assistants licensed pursuant to chapter 54 of title 5, shall complete, per renewal period, a minimum of one hour of instruction on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cognitive impairments including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
(b) The department of health shall promulgate rules to implement the training requirement of subsection (a).
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
23-1.7-5. Medical professional training.
(a) All physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5,
(b) The department of health shall promulgate rules to implement the training requirement of subsection (a).
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.