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HB 7142

AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 8 co-sponsors

HB 7142 establishes accountability and oversight standards for Rhode Island's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to improve service quality and patient outcomes.

03/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7142

Legislative bill overview

HB 7142 establishes accountability and oversight mechanisms for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Rhode Island. The bill creates requirements for performance monitoring, quality standards, and regulatory compliance for these facilities that provide integrated behavioral health and developmental disability services alongside hospital care coordination.

Why is this important

CCBHCs serve vulnerable populations including individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. Strengthened oversight could improve service quality and patient outcomes, but also affects how these clinics operate and access federal funding that depends on meeting certification standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden vs. service capacity: New accountability requirements may increase administrative costs for clinics, potentially diverting resources from direct patient care or limiting clinic expansion in underserved areas
  • Funding and implementation costs: The bill's enforcement mechanisms and oversight infrastructure will require state resources; unclear whether new funding is allocated or if existing budgets must absorb these costs
  • Definition and scope of oversight: Depending on specific language, oversight powers could range from collaborative quality improvement to punitive enforcement, affecting clinic autonomy and willingness to participate in the program

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

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