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SR 3063

SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH CARE COSTS IN RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Ciccone and 4 co-sponsors

A 13-member commission will study Rhode Island’s medical malpractice landscape and propose reforms to reduce costs, stabilize provider supply, and protect patients.

05/21/2026 Senate passed Sub A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 3063

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a temporary, special legislative commission to conduct a comprehensive study of Rhode Island’s medical malpractice landscape.
  • Focus areas: how malpractice lawsuits, claims, settlements, and related filings affect medical malpractice insurance costs for providers; how malpractice risk influences provider availability in certain specialties; and the broader impact on statewide health care costs.
  • End goal: develop recommendations (including potential legal reforms) to retain and attract needed health care providers while aiming to reduce health care costs and protect patients.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a 13-member special commission:
    • 3 Rhode Island Senate members (appointed by the Senate President).
    • 1 Rhode Island House of Representatives member (appointed by the Senate President; effectively includes a House member through Senate President’s appointment process).
    • 1 executive director or designee from the Rhode Island Medical Society.
    • 1 executive director or designee from the Rhode Island Association for Justice.
    • 1 president or designee from the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association of Rhode Island.
    • 1 executive director or designee from the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.
    • 2 risk management specialists from hospitals or large medical practices (appointed by the Senate President).
    • 2 members of the general public (appointed by the Senate President).
    • 1 patient advocate (appointed by the Senate President).
  • Charged duties:
    • Conduct a comprehensive study of Rhode Island medical malpractice lawsuits, claims, settlements, and administrative filings and their impact on malpractice insurance costs for providers.
    • Examine the relationship between malpractice claim risk and shortages of certain medical specialties or geographic areas, and resulting access-to-care issues.
    • Analyze the impact of malpractice insurance premiums and claims on statewide health care costs.
    • Develop recommendations, including potential legal reforms, to retain and attract needed providers.
    • Prepare a report with findings and recommendations to improve the system and reduce health care costs while protecting patients.
  • Timeline and governance:
    • By September 18, 2026: all members appointed, initial meeting convened, and a chair appointed.
    • The commission may receive an annual бюджет for its work.
    • The Joint Committee on Legislative Services to provide suitable quarters.
    • Reporting deadline: findings and recommendations to the Senate no later than October 1, 2027.
    • Expiration: commission expires January 31, 2028.

Who would be affected

  • Medical providers and facilities in Rhode Island (through potential changes to malpractice-related costs and insurance dynamics).
  • Medical malpractice insurers and underwriting associations operating in Rhode Island.
  • Medical specialty availability and access to care for Rhode Island residents (especially in areas with provider shortages).
  • Patients and patient advocacy groups (through potential reforms intended to protect patients while improving system efficiency and costs).
  • State agencies and departments that support or interact with the commission (data sharing and analysis).

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: March 12, 2026; referred to Senate Health & Human Services.
  • Status noted: scheduled for consideration May 14, 2026; committee recommended holding for further study (March 24, 2026).
  • Appointments: to be completed by September 18, 2026; chair to be appointed by Senate President.
  • Reporting requirement: final findings and recommendations due to the Senate by October 1, 2027.
  • Duration: commission operates through January 31, 2028.
  • Composition: no compensation for members; advisory support and information to be provided by state departments and agencies as needed.

Potential impact (policy considerations)

  • Could lead to legal reform recommendations aimed at reducing health care costs and stabilizing provider supply.
  • Might influence malpractice insurance pricing and availability in Rhode Island.
  • Could identify targeted strategies to mitigate access-to-care issues related to provider shortages in certain specialties.
  • Balances input from medical, legal, hospital, and public representatives to craft evidence-based recommendations.

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

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