2014 -- H 8221

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LC005705

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND LUPUS EDUCATION

AND AWARENESS PLAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, McNamara, Slater, Ruggiero, and Cimini

     Date Introduced: May 21, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-87-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-87 entitled "The Rhode

Island Lupus Education and Awareness Plan" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-87-5. Establishment of the lupus education and awareness plan (LEAP). -- (a)

The study commission established in this chapter shall:

      (1) Analyze the current state of education on lupus in the state;

      (2) Evaluate materials and resources currently available from government agencies,

hospitals, lupus advocacy organizations; and

      (3) Identify gaps in the current lupus education modalities in the state through a needs

assessment or similar mechanism.

      (b) Upon completing the needs assessment described in subsection (a), the study

commission shall report on the results of its assessment to the department of health and to the

general assembly. Utilizing the results of such assessment, and with input from the committees of

the general assembly, having cognizance of matters relating to public heath health and the

department of health, the study commission shall develop a comprehensive lupus education and

awareness plan.

      (c) The study commission shall develop a comprehensive plan to improve education and

awareness surrounding lupus for healthcare practitioners, public health personnel, patients, and

persons who may have lupus. The plan shall include the recommendations on how to best:

      (1) Distribute medically-sound health information produced by the Lupus Foundation of

America, Inc., the Lupus Foundation of New England and/or government agencies, including, but

not limited to, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

and the Social Security Administration, through local health departments, schools, agencies on

aging, employer wellness programs, physicians and other health professionals, hospitals, health

plans and health maintenance organizations, women's health, and nonprofit and community-based

organizations;

      (2) Utilize volunteers in the community to distribute brochures and other materials that

promote lupus education and awareness;

      (3) Develop educational materials for health professionals that identify the most recent

scientific and medical information and clinical applications regarding the treatment of lupus;

      (4) Work to increase knowledge among physicians, nurses, and health and human

services professionals about the importance of lupus diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation;

      (5) Support continuing medical education plans in the state's leading academic

institutions by providing them the most recent scientific and medical information and clinical

applications regarding the treatment of lupus;

      (6) Conduct statewide workshops and seminars for extensive professional development

regarding the care and management of patients with lupus in an effort to bring the latest

information on clinical advances to care providers; and

      (7) Develop and maintain a directory of lupus-related healthcare services, that includes a

listing of healthcare providers with specialization in services to diagnose and treat lupus and that

can be disseminated, within available appropriations, by the department of health to individuals

with lupus, family members of those with lupus, representatives from voluntary organizations,

healthcare professionals, health plans, local health agencies and authorities, and to other agencies

of the state.

      (d) The study commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Rhode

Island department of health and to both chambers of the general assembly annually on or before

December 1, March 31 commencing in 2014 2015. The study commission may make periodic

revisions to the plan that are consistent with the purposes of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND LUPUS EDUCATION

AND AWARENESS PLAN

***

     This act would change the reporting date from December 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, for

the study commission on the "Rhode Island Lupus Education and Awareness Plan Act of 2012"

to report its findings and recommendations to the Rhode Island department of health and the

general assembly.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005705

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