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SB 3184

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 4 co-sponsors

The bill confines elective general anesthesia to CRNAs, permitting only defined emergency or life‑saving use by non-CRNA RNs/APRNs with training and approvals.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 3184

Summary of Bill: SB 3184 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes clear limits on which nursing professionals may independently administer certain anesthetic agents.
  • Specifies emergency and life-saving exceptions under which registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may initiate, titrate, and bolus IV/IO anesthetic agents.
  • Aims to ensure that the elective/independent administration of specific general anesthetics and certain agents is restricted to licensed certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), while allowing defined emergency use by non-CRNA RNs/APRNs within scope of practice and governing-body approvals.

Key Provisions

Section 5-34 (Nurses) – New 5-34-3.1: Safe Administration of Anesthesia

  • Prohibits RNs and APRNs (excluding CRNAs) and RNs in anesthesia training from administering agents primarily used for general anesthesia or deep/moderate sedation, including:
    • Propofol
    • Etomidate
    • Sodium thiopental
    • Methohexital
    • Volatile anesthetic gases (e.g., sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane)

  • Prohibits any RN or Non-CRNA APRN from administering or managing deep sedation or general anesthesia for diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures using these drugs.

  • Allows limited, emergency administration in specific circumstances:

    • Critical life-saving situations requiring immediate airway management (rapid sequence intubation) or maintaining sedation for tracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated patients:
    • An RN may act as the third hand to a licensed APRN/physician.
    • An APRN may initiate, titrate, and bolus IV/IO agents if trained in airway management and within scope, with governing-body approval.
    • Emergency situations with imminent threat to life or limb:
    • APRN or RN may administer anesthetic medications to preserve life (e.g., in cardiac arrest or respiratory failure) within scope and governing-body approval.

  • Clarifies that administration/titration of anesthetics for patients sedated in critical care settings (ER/ICU) who are tracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated by an RN or APRN within scope and approvals is not prohibited.

Section 5-34.2-2.1 (Nurse Anesthetists) – New 5-34.2-2.1: Safe Administration of Anesthesia

  • Mirrors the same prohibitions and emergency allowances as Section 5-34-3.1, but within the chapter specific to nurse anesthetists.

Who would be Affected

  • RNs and APRNs who are not licensed CRNAs:
    • Would be restricted from independently administering general anesthetics and certain sedation/anesthesia agents for most procedures.
    • Would be limited to the defined emergency life-saving scenarios and specific airway management situations with appropriate training and approvals.
  • CRNAs:
    • Remain the primary providers for elective/independent administration of general anesthetics and the listed agents for surgical/diagnostic procedures.
  • Healthcare facilities and governing bodies:
    • Would need to ensure training, scope-of-practice compliance, and approvals for APRNs to participate in emergency airway management and anesthesia-related interventions.

Effective Date

  • The act would take effect upon passage.

Procedural/Timeline Notes

  • Introduced: April 3, 2026
  • Referred to Senate Health & Human Services
  • Proposed Substitute noted on April 29, 2026
  • Hearing/consideration scheduled (as of latest notice)

Practical Implications

  • Clarifies scope-of-practice boundaries for RNs and Non-CRNA APRNs regarding anesthetic administration.
  • Potentially increases reliance on CRNAs for elective/general anesthesia services.
  • Provides explicit emergency and life-saving exceptions intended to preserve patient safety in critical moments, contingent on proper training and institutional approvals.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Rhode Island law to highlight exactly what changes this bill would implement.

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

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