2016 -- S 2101

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LC003969

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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 - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Archambault, DiPalma, Conley, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 23-17.5-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.5 entitled "Rights

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of Nursing Home Patients" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     23-17.5-21. Penalties. – (a) Any nursing home which refuses or neglects to post

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provisions as set forth in §23-17.5-20, or which violates the requirements of this chapter shall be

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guilty of a misdemeanor for each violation punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars

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($500) and/or six (6) months in jail.

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     (b) Any person or resident whose rights, as defined in this chapter, are violated shall have

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a cause of action against the nursing home, and/or the person committing such violation. The

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action may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce such rights, and to recover

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actual and punitive damages for their violation. Any plaintiff who prevails in any such action

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shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of the action.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003969

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS

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     This act would enable nursing home residents whose rights are violated to bring an action

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against the facility for actual and punitive damages. Any plaintiff who prevails shall be entitled to

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recover attorneys' fees and costs of the action.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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