2023 -- H 6516

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LC003198

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH EQUITY ZONE INITIATIVE

     Introduced By: Representative Arthur Handy

     Date Introduced: June 13, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human

Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-7.2-6.2. Health equity zone initiative and administration.

     (a) For purposes of this section, "health equity zone initiative (HEZ)" means a health

equity-centered approach to prevention of inequities, that facilitates place-based, community-led

solutions that address a broad range of social, economic, and environmental factors that influence

health outcomes.

     (b) All of the state agencies under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and

human services, (EOHHS) shall assist and manage resources that are focused on addressing these

same social, economic and environmental factors to positively influence health outcomes. The

secretary shall determine in collaboration with the department directors whether and which officers,

employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, commissions, and/or task forces of the HEZ

initiative shall be utilized by the office.

     (c) The secretary of EOHHS shall be responsible for the management, oversight, and

direction of the HEZ initiative to foster and promote the enhanced collaboration between and

among its agencies, for the purpose of creating greater efficiencies, improving alignment of state

resources and coordinating collaborative funding requests, that focus on reducing health inequities.

     (d) The EOHHS through the HEZ initiative shall develop sustainable infrastructure and

support community-identified needs in order to positively impact the social, economic, and

environmental conditions driving disparities and establish measurable improvements in health

outcomes.

     (e) The secretary shall report to the governor and general assembly from time to time,

together with the submission of drafts of legislation which the secretary deems necessary to

implement improvements in the HEZ initiative.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH EQUITY ZONE INITIATIVE

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     This act would charge the EOHHS with the responsibility to fund and administer the health

equity zone initiative by engaging community members and partners to improve health outcomes

for all Rhode Islanders.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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