2017 -- S 0647

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LC001676

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS - THE LICENSURE, INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FACILITIES

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Goldin, Miller, Conley, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: March 29, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 40.1-24-3 and 40.1-24-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-24

entitled "Persons With Mental Illness, Addiction/ Substance Abuse Disorders and Developmental

Disabilities" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     40.1-24-3. License requirement.

     No person or governmental unit, acting severally or jointly with any other person or

governmental unit, shall establish, conduct, or maintain a facility or program as defined in this

chapter in this state without a license under this chapter. The department shall make or cause to

be made annual unannounced inspections and investigations of community residences as defined

pursuant to §40.1-24-1.

     40.1-24-11. Inspections and investigations -- Alterations or new construction.

     The department shall make or cause to be made such inspections and investigations that it

deems necessary in addition to the required licensure inspections and investigations pursuant to

§40.1-24-3. Deemed status shall not prohibit the department from conducting any inspection

and/or investigation it deems necessary. The department may prescribe by regulations that any

licensee or applicant desiring to make a specified type of alteration or addition to its facilities or

to construct new facilities shall, before commencing the alteration, addition, or new construction,

submit plans and specifications thereto to the department for preliminary inspection and approval

or recommendations with respect to compliance with the regulations and standards herein

authorized. Necessary conference and consultations may be provided.

     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 BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS - THE LICENSURE, INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FACILITIES

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     This act would require Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals

to make or cause to be made annual unannounced inspections and investigations of community

residences.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001676

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