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HB 8490

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE NOREEN DREXEL BIRTHING CENTER FUND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Carson and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a restricted Noreen Drexel Birthing Center Fund to ensure continuous, staffed, and enhanced birthing services at Newport Hospital through state, philanthropic, and private

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8490

Summary of HB 8490 (Session 2026, Rhode Island)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE NOREEN DREXEL BIRTHING CENTER FUND

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a dedicated, restricted fund within the Rhode Island Department of Health to support the ongoing operation, staffing, and enhancement of birthing services at Newport Hospital (and any successor entity providing equivalent services in Newport County).
  • Recognize the Newport Hospital birthing center as a critical community resource for maternal and infant health and secure its long-term sustainability through coordinated public, private, and philanthropic funding.

Key Provisions

1) Establishment of the Fund

  • Creates the “Noreen Drexel Birthing Center Fund” as a restricted receipt account within the Department of Health.
  • The fund is to be administered jointly by the Department of Health and the Newport Hospital Foundation.
  • Funds are to be used exclusively for:
    • Continued operation
    • Staffing
    • Enhancement of birthing services at Newport Hospital or equivalent Newport County services

2) Funding (Fiscal Year 2027)

  • Authorized total state appropriation: $1,633,333 (one million six hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three dollars).
  • Conditions for the 2027 appropriation:
    • A deposit of $1,633,333 from Brown Health or its successor entity into the fund.
    • An additional $1,633,333 from philanthropic contributions (e.g., individuals, foundations, community organizations) into the fund.
  • Newport Hospital Foundation is authorized to deposit philanthropic contributions into the fund and, with DOH approval, may receive funding to fulfill the purpose of the fund.

3) Eligibility Conditions and Accountability

To remain eligible for fund support, Brown Health or its operating entity must maintain:
- Year-round birthing services at Newport Hospital
- Continuous inpatient labor and delivery services (no seasonal or intermittent gaps)
- 24/7 hospital-based obstetric services with available obstetric physicians
- Certified nurse staffing sufficient for safe and timely deliveries, without diversions or patient transfers due to staffing
- No reduction in birthing center scope (no elimination of inpatient labor and delivery, no shift to outpatient/triage-only services, no routine diversion of laboring patients off-island, etc.)
- No administrative, financial, or operational actions rendering the center unable to meet community needs

Additional accountability requirements for Brown Health and its operating entity:
- Quarterly financial reporting of revenues, expenses, and use of fund resources to DOH and Newport Hospital Foundation Board
- Final annual report on fund use and impact to DOH, Newport Hospital Foundation Board, the Rhode Island General Assembly, and supporters
- Annual open meeting for transparency and oversight
- Participation in community councils formed with local government, legislators, the Newport Hospital Foundation, and community organizations
- Development and submission of a sustainability plan for the birthing center within 12 months of receiving funds
- The community council (established under 3(b)) must meet quarterly to review outcomes, quality, safety, and financial data, and ensure broad, collaborative decision-making to sustain the birthing center

Who Is Affected

  • Newport Hospital (Birthing Center) and its patients in Newport County
  • Brown Health or its operating entity (as the recipient of funding and as the entity required to meet service and staffing conditions)
  • Newport Hospital Foundation (administrative partner for the fund)
  • Rhode Island Department of Health (administrative oversight and fund administration)
  • Local communities, philanthropic organizations, and potential donors supporting the fund

Timelines and Effective Date

  • Effective date: Upon passage of the act.
  • Fiscal year 2027 funding is explicitly addressed with conditions for the appropriation and deposits as described.
  • Within twelve months of receipt of funds, a sustainability plan must be developed and submitted.

Notes

  • The act frames the fund as a public-private-philanthropic partnership to preserve and advance birthing services in Newport County.
  • It emphasizes accessibility, continuous service, staffing adequacy, and avoidance of service reductions or patient diversions.
  • The act does not specify further funding beyond the 2027 appropriation but creates a mechanism for ongoing support contingent on compliance and community-driven oversight.

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

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