Chapter 417
2021 -- H 5281 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/14/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Noret, Kazarian, Ackerman, and Azzinaro

Date Introduced: January 29, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     30-15-45. Essential mental health and substance use disorder services.
     During any declared state or local disaster emergency pursuant to this chapter, mental
health and substance use disorder services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics
Anonymous, or other agencies that provide similar services to those seeking support for substance
use disorders shall be considered an essential health benefit and the services provided thereby shall
be permitted during the disaster emergency; provided, that adequate measures are implemented to
provide the services safely within whatever guidelines may be established to address the issues
relative to the declared disaster emergency.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC000807/SUB A/2
========