Chapter 257
2012 -- H 7877
Enacted 06/18/12
A N A C T
RELATING TO
HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ALCOHOLISM
Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Ferri, and Malik
Date Introduced: March 01, 2012
It is enacted by the General
Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.10 of the General Laws entitled
"Alcoholism" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
23-1.10-20. Pilot
alternative program established. – (a) There is hereby created a
program for individuals impaired by substance abuse related
issues, as an alternative
treatment/referral service to the emergency room department, to foster
their entry into a
continuum of care for treatment and recovery. This pilot
program shall be an addition and shall
not alter the comprehensive and coordinated program for
the treatment of alcoholics and
intoxicated persons as set forth in section 23-1.10-6.
(b) As used in this
section, the following words and terms shall have the following
meanings:
(1) “Department”
means the
developmental disabilities and hospitals.
(2) “Pilot
program" means the program described in this section. The pilot program
shall
not be subject to subsections 23-1.10-10(a), (b), (c) and
(d).
(3) “Substance abuse
related issues” means any of the symptoms that are caused by either
active substance use, substance abuse/dependence or a
combination of both.
(c) No later than December
31, 2012, and subject to approval of the
executive office of health and human services, the department
shall present a proposal to the
governor and general assembly to expand existing service(s),
that shall result in services
described in subsection (a) available twenty-four (24) hours a
day, seven (7) days a week to
implement the pilot program.
(d)
Subject to approval from the governor and general assembly and the receipt of
required funds, the director shall commence the implementation
of the pilot program.
(e) The director may
adopt such rules and regulations governing the management of the
pilot program as he/she deems necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
(f) The pilot program
shall have a duration of three (3) years, commencing
on the date
that the first licensed facility becomes operational.
(g) The department
shall provide an annual report of its findings and recommendations to
the general assembly and governor no later than January
31st of each year beginning in 2014.
(h) After three (3)
years of operations, the department shall provide an analysis
demonstrating outcomes related to the pilot program to the general
assembly and governor.
SECTION 2. Transportation options shall be coordinated and
developed by a local city/or
town, in conjunction with the department of health, prior
to the pilot program implementation.
Funding for alternative
transportation is not part of the pilot program.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC02125
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