AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PATIENT PAYMENT INFORMATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 2 co-sponsors

Rhode Island bans healthcare providers from requiring patients to provide electronic payment information to receive care, unless the patient voluntarily agrees.

06/05/2026 Referred to House Corporations

Summary of SB 3090 (Session 2026) – Rhode Island

Purpose and intent

Prohibits healthcare providers from requiring patients to give electronic payment information (e.g., bank account, credit card, or debit card numbers) as a prerequisite to receive healthcare services or to have an office visit.

Seeks to protect patients from being compelled to store payment data on file with a healthcare provider.

Key provisions and changes

Prohibition on requiring electronic payment information:

Section 5-37.9-1(a): Nohealthcareprovider shall require a patient to provide electronic payment information to be kept on file as a condition to seeing a patient or receiving any healthcare service.

Enforcement and remedies:

Section 5-37.9-1(b): A violation constitutes an unfair trade practice under Rhode Island law (deceptive trade practices).

Exceptions and clarifications:

Section 5-37.9-1(c)(1): The act does not affect a patient’s obligation to pay for healthcare services.
Section 5-37.9-1(c)(2): It does not prohibit a provider from requesting, collecting, or storing payment information if the patient voluntarily agrees to provide it.

Effective date:

The act takes effect upon passage (immediate upon enactment).

Who and what is affected

Affects healthcare providers in Rhode Island who might otherwise require patients to store electronic payment information on file.

Protects patients from mandatory electronic payment information retention as a condition of receiving care.

Applies to any provider defined as “healthcare provider” under related Rhode Island provisions (per cross-reference in the act’s definitions).

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: March 13, 2026.

Referred to: Senate Health & Human Services.

Scheduling history indicates committee consideration and potential floor action in 2026, with actions noted up to May 29, 2026.

No specific funding or implementation timetable is listed; the act is “effective upon passage.”

Practical impact

Patients cannot be compelled to share electronic payment details to schedule or receive medical care.

Providers may still request or accept payment information only if the patient voluntarily agrees; otherwise, payment arrangements must occur through other means.

Creates a statutory basis to challenge improper collection of payment data as deceptive trade practice.

Important caveat

This summary reflects the bill text as introduced; any amendments or final enacted language could modify scope, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms.