2016 -- H 7476

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LC004202

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

     Introduced By: Representatives Price, Shekarchi, Roberts, Chippendale, and Filippi

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-1-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1 entitled "Department

of Health" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-1-44. Routine childhood and adult immunization vaccines. -- (a) The department

of health shall include in the department's immunization program those vaccines for routine

childhood immunization as recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization

Practices (ACIP) and the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and for adult influenza immunization as

recommended by the ACIP, to the extent permitted by available funds. The childhood

immunization program includes administrative and quality assurance services and KIDSNET, a

confidential, computerized child health information system that is used to manage statewide

immunizations, as well as other public health preventive services, for all children in Rhode Island

from birth through age 18.

      (b) The director of the department of health shall appoint an advisory committee that will

be convened after the ACIP makes a recommendation regarding adult immunization. The

committee will review the ACIP recommendations for the state, assess the vaccine cost and

feasibility, and advise the director of health and the office of the health insurance commissioner

regarding insurers and providers acting on the ACIP adult immunization recommendation. All

recommendations will be posted on the department of health website. The advisory committee

membership shall include, but not be limited to, a primary care provider, pharmacist,

representatives of the nursing home industry, the home health care industry and major insurers.

     (c) Notwithstanding the exemption set forth in §23-1-27, the department of health shall

conduct a hearing, in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 35 of title 42, prior to

issuing a mandate requiring immunization from any disease, unless it has been determined that a

voluntary mass immunization program is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the people

pursuant to §23-8-2.

     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 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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     This act would require the director of the department of health to conduct a hearing prior

to requiring immunization against any disease unless there exists a health emergency.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004202

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