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HB 7936

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT

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

Rhode Island bill establishes health data privacy protections requiring security standards, consent requirements, and penalties for unauthorized medical information disclosure by healthcare entities.

03/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7936

Legislative bill overview

HB 7936 establishes a comprehensive framework for protecting health and medical data privacy in Rhode Island, creating standards for how public health information can be collected, used, and shared. The bill likely creates requirements for data security, individual consent mechanisms, and penalties for unauthorized disclosure of sensitive health records.

Why is this important

Health data breaches can expose sensitive personal information affecting millions of residents, leading to identity theft, discrimination, and erosion of public trust in health institutions. Clear statutory protections establish baseline security standards and give individuals legal recourse when their medical information is mishandled.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "public health data": Disagreement over which entities (hospitals, insurers, government agencies, researchers) fall under regulations and which data qualifies as protected
  • Research and public health exceptions: Tension between individual privacy rights and the legitimate need for health researchers and epidemiologists to access de-identified data for disease tracking and medical advancement
  • Compliance costs: Healthcare providers and smaller institutions may argue implementation expenses are burdensome, while privacy advocates contend costs are necessary investments
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Questions about whether penalties are sufficient to deter violations and whether adequate resources exist for regulatory oversight

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

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