2020 -- H 8080

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LC005474

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Blazejewski, Kazarian, and
Diaz

     Date Introduced: June 19, 2020

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     30-15-45. Essential mental health and substance use disorder services.

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     During any declared state or local disaster emergency pursuant to this chapter, mental

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health and substance use disorder services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics

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Anonymous shall be considered an essential health benefit and the services provided thereby shall

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be permitted during the disaster emergency; provided, that adequate measures are implemented to

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provide the services safely within whatever guidelines may be established to address the issues

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relative to the declared disaster emergency.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005474

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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     This act would permit Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings during

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a declared disaster emergency.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005474

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