2013 -- S 0904

=======

LC02477

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ADEQUACY OF THE BLOOD SUPPLY IN

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Sosnowski, Goldin, Goodwin, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-4.5 of the General Laws entitled "Blood Bank Services" is

1-2

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

1-3

     23-4.5-2. Blood banks regulated. – (a) No person or entity may collect blood, blood

1-4

products, plasma or blood derivatives in the state of Rhode Island for transfusion unless it:

1-5

     (1) Is licensed as a hospital in the state of Rhode Island; or

1-6

     (2)(i) Is licensed as a clinical laboratory as defined in sections 23-16.2 and 23-16.2-4; and

1-7

(ii) Maintains a facility in the state of Rhode Island for the collection, processing and

1-8

testing of blood, blood products, plasma or blood derivatives, such testing to include all tests

1-9

required by the food and drug administration regarding testing of donated blood.

1-10

     (b) The director of the Rhode Island department of health shall have the power to issue

1-11

regulations implementing this section, including the enforcement hereof. Whether or not

1-12

regulations have been issued, no license may be issued or renewed under subsection (a) hereof

1-13

except in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

1-14

     (c) No person or entity licensed as described in subsection (a) hereof may authorize any

1-15

third party not so licensed to collect blood or blood products on its behalf in the state of Rhode

1-16

Island, except that those entities as described in subsection (a) may temporarily authorize a

1-17

qualified third party to collect blood on their behalf should the licensed entity be unable to collect

1-18

blood to meet emergency needs.

2-19

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02477

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ADEQUACY OF THE BLOOD SUPPLY IN

RHODE ISLAND

***

3-1

     This act would assume the continued quality and supply of blood and blood products in

3-2

Rhode Island and the cost-effectiveness of the blood supply system in this state by requiring that

3-3

any entity collecting blood within Rhode Island is predominantly committed to supplying blood

3-4

to hospitals within this state, and operates a testing facility in this state. Although intended to be

3-5

immediately effective without need for regulation, the act would also authorize enforcement by

3-6

the department of health, and would assure that no unregulated entity engages in blood collection.

3-7

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02477

=======