2015 -- S 0479

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LC001294

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS

     Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Pichardo, Ottiano, Sosnowski, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-21-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21 entitled "Health and

Safety of Pupils" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-21-9. Health examinations and dental screenings -- Reports -- Records. -- (a) Each

community as defined in § 16-7-16 shall provide for the appointment of a physician to make

examinations of the health of the school children, who shall report any deviation from the normal,

and for the preservation of records of the examinations of the children. Each community shall

further provide for dental screenings by a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist a licensed

public health dental hygienist with at least three (3) years of clinical experience, who shall report

any suspected deviation from the normal and for the preservation of records of the screenings of

the children. Each community shall notify the parents or custodians of children of conditions

requiring professional or skilled treatment. The state commissioner of elementary and secondary

education shall provide blank forms and record books that he or she may deem necessary for the

purposes of this section.

      (b) Each community as defined in § 16-7-16 shall only contract with a licensed dentist

and/or a licensed public health dental hygienist for the provision of the dental screenings services

required by this section. Dental hygienists performing the dental screenings pursuant to the

provisions of this section shall do so under the general supervision of the dentist liable and

responsible under the contract with the community or within the collaborative agreement

guidelines between a licensed public health dental hygienist and a licensed dentist.

      (c) Except in emergency circumstances, referral by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist

a licensed public health dental hygienist of children screened pursuant to the provisions of this

section to a dental practice by which the dentist or dental hygienist is employed and/or which the

dentist owns shall be strictly prohibited. In the event that a referral has been made in violation of

this provision, the community shall terminate its contract with the dentist. In the case of an

egregious violation of the referral prohibition contained in this section, that conduct shall be

reported to the board of dental examiners.

      (d) Each community shall provide to parents or custodians of children who require

professional or skilled treatment a list of both dental practices in the community which accept

patients insured by Medical Assistance and/or RIte Care and dental practices which provide

services on a sliding scale basis to uninsured individuals. The department of human services shall

provide each community with a list containing the addresses and telephone numbers of both

dental practices which accept patients insured by Medical Assistance and/or RIte Care and dental

practices which provide services on a sliding scale basis to uninsured individuals.

      (e) Dental screenings for children in kindergarten, third, and ninth grade shall only be

performed by a licensed dentist and/or a licensed public health dental hygienist.

      (f) All dentists or dental hygienists and/or licensed public health dental hygienists

performing dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of this section shall meet with the oral

health director of the department of health on a regular basis, as determined by the chief.

     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 EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS

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     This act would require health examinations and dental screenings for school children be

performed by a licensed dentist or a licensed public health dental hygienist.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001294

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