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HB 7760

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LILA MANFIELD SAPINSLEY COMPASSIONATE CARE ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

Establishes a tightly regulated framework allowing terminally ill Rhode Island adults to self-administer a prescribed lethal dose, with multiple safeguards and provider immunities.

04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7760

Summary of HB 7760 (Rhode Island, 2026) — Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a legal framework for terminally ill Rhode Island residents to obtain and self-administer medications with the explicit goal of hastening death, under tightly defined conditions and physician involvement.
  • Creates immunities for physicians and certain healthcare professionals who act in good faith compliance with the act.
  • Aims to protect patient autonomy at end of life while imposing procedural safeguards to ensure informed, voluntary decisions.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Chapter 23-4.15-2)

  • Sets standards for terms such as bona fide physician-patient relationship, capable, interested person, terminal condition, palliative care, and other terms used in the act.
  • Defines eligible patients as Rhode Island residents age 18+ under a physician’s care with a terminal condition.

Prescription and documentation requirements (23-4.15-3)

  • Establishes a multi-step process for obtaining a lethal prescription:

    1. First oral request in physician’s presence.
    2. A second oral request at least 15 days after the first.
    3. Opportunity to rescind at the time of the second request.
    4. Written request signed in the presence of two or more witnesses (at least one not an interested person), with witnesses 18+.
    5. Physician verifies terminal condition, capability, voluntariness, and informed decision, and residency.
    6. In-person, written and explained disclosure of diagnosis, prognosis, end-of-life options (including palliative and hospice care), risks, and potential outcomes.
    7. Referral to a second physician for medical confirmation.
    8. Verification of no impaired judgment or referral for a mental health evaluation as needed.
    9. If applicable, consultation with the patient’s primary care physician with consent.
    10. Patient may rescind after the second oral request, and physician must offer opportunity to rescind again.
    11. Before writing the prescription, confirm the patient is making an informed decision.
    12. Prescription written no fewer than 48 hours after the last of the above qualifying events.
    13. Prescription dispensation process (direct dispensing by physician or transmission to a pharmacist with appropriate authorization).
    14. Comprehensive medical record documentation of all requests, assessments, confirmations, hospice enrollment status, evaluations, rescission offers, and steps taken.
    15. After writing the prescription, the physician must promptly file a report with the Department of Health confirming completion of all requirements.

  • Civil/disciplinary liability protections for physicians and others are provided if actions are taken in good faith under this section (immunity).

No duty to aid (23-4.15-4)

  • Persons present when a patient self-administers a lethal dose are not liable merely for being present or unable to prevent the act.

Limitations on actions (23-4.15-5)

  • No legal duty to participate in providing a lethal dose; protections against discipline or penalties for good faith actions or refusals under the act.
  • Civil liability remains for negligent or intentional misconduct outside the act’s protections.

Healthcare facility exception (23-4.15-6)

  • Facilities may prohibit physicians from prescribing lethal-dose medications to residents on premises if the facility provides written policy. Violating facilities’ policy may subject physicians to sanctions.

Insurance provisions (23-4.15-7)

  • Life insurance beneficiaries shall not be denied benefits for actions taken under the act.
  • Medical malpractice insurance policies must not be conditioned on physician participation in the act.

No effect on palliative sedation (23-4.15-8)

  • The act does not limit or affect palliative sedation as long as it conforms to accepted standards.

Protection of patient choice at end-of-life (23-4.15-9)

  • Physicians with a bona fide relationship are not considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct if they:
    • Determine patient capability and lack of impaired judgment;
    • Inform about all end-of-life options;
    • Prescribe a potentially lethal dose;
    • Advise on risks;
    • Have patient independently decide to self-administer.

Immunity for physicians (23-4.15-10)

  • Immunity from civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for good-faith actions under the act.

Safe disposal (23-4.15-11)

  • Department of Health to adopt rules for safe disposal of unused medications prescribed under the act.

Statutory construction (23-4.15-12)

  • Clarifies that the act does not authorize euthanasia or suicide; actions under the act are not deemed suicide, assisted suicide, mercy killing, or homicide.
  • Includes acknowledgement of potential conflicts with federal law (e.g., ACA language).

Who and what is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: terminally ill Rhode Island adults (18+) who are patients under a physician’s care and who meet the procedural requirements.
  • Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers involved in end-of-life care, under specified protections and duties.
  • Healthcare facilities, which may set policies restricting lethal-dose prescriptions on-site.
  • The Rhode Island Department of Health, responsible for regulatory oversight, reporting, and disposal rules.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The process is deliberately staged with multiple requests separated by at least 15 days, and a written, witnessed request.
  • A second physician’s confirmation is required, as is mental health evaluation if needed.
  • The prescription can only be written after a minimum 48-hour window following the final qualifying event.
  • Reporting to the Department of Health is required immediately after the prescription is written and all steps are completed.
  • The act takes effect upon passage (no separate implementation delay).

Practical notes

  • The act creates a comprehensive framework intended to safeguard patient autonomy while embedding robust procedural checks and balances.
  • It codifies explicit immunities for providers acting in good faith, balanced by facility policies and ongoing protections against wrongful liability for third parties not directly involved in the patient’s lethal-dose administration.
  • The act states it does not authorize euthanasia or suicide under Rhode Island law, and it preserves palliative care as a separate avenue for end-of-life care.

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

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