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HB 5618

AN ACT RELATED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 8 co-sponsors

Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors and be trained biannually, enabling on-scene administration to treat anaphylaxis.

03/06/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5618

Summary — HB 5618

Title: The Mandatory Carrying of Epinephrine Autoinjectors by Police Officers Act
Status (most recent): Committee recommended measure be held for further study (03/06/2025)
Introduced: Bill text lists introduction on Feb. 26, 2025; legislative record shows filing on Mar. 14, 2025. Referred to House Health & Human Services; later referred to Ways & Means. Effective date in bill: January 1, 2026.

Purpose / Intent

The bill aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from anaphylaxis by requiring police officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors and be trained to use them. The sponsors argue police are often first on scene and earlier epinephrine administration can be lifesaving.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new chapter in Title 23 (Health and Safety) establishing the “Mandatory Carrying of Epinephrine Autoinjectors by Police Officers Act.”
  • Definitions: clarifies terms including “epinephrine,” “epinephrine autoinjector,” “anaphylaxis,” “peace officer,” “police vehicle,” “police station,” “police department,” and “EMS.”
  • Authorization: expressly authorizes peace officers to administer epinephrine autoinjectors notwithstanding other laws that might prohibit such administration.
  • Carrying requirement:
    • All peace officers must carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their police vehicles.
    • Officers without vehicles must carry an autoinjector on their person.
  • Training:
    • Mandatory biannual (twice yearly) training on autoinjector use for all peace officers.
  • Funding and procurement:
    • Police departments must purchase necessary autoinjectors.
    • Costs for devices and training are to be incorporated into each police department’s budget; beginning in fiscal year 2026, entities controlling department budgets must fund compliance.
  • Penalties for noncompliance:
    • Individual officers who negligently fail to carry an autoinjector: $50 per hour without the issued autoinjector.
    • Police departments that fail to distribute autoinjectors as required: $5,000 per month until compliance.

Who is affected

  • All state and municipal peace officers in Rhode Island (as defined by § 12‑7‑21).
  • Police departments and the governmental entities that control their budgets (responsible for purchasing devices and funding training).
  • Indirectly, members of the public at risk of anaphylaxis who may receive earlier treatment from responding police.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Effective date specified as January 1, 2026.
  • Legislative actions: filed March 14, 2025 (per record); read first time and referred to Ways & Means on April 7, 2025. On March 6, 2025 a committee recommended the measure be held for further study.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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