Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island S2892: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM (Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.)
Status: Signed into law, June 18, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, March 4, 2026:
2026 -- S 2892 ======== LC005423 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM Introduced By: Senators Gu, DiPalma, Valverde, Tikoian, Vargas, Lawson, Lauria, DiMario, Murray, and Paolino Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) Diet-related chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity, represent a significant and growing burden on Rhode Island's residents and healthcare system; (2) Individuals experiencing food insecurity and chronic illness often face barriers to accessing nutritious food that supports disease prevention and management; (3) Evidence-based food-as-medicine interventions, including medically tailored meals and nutrition supports, have demonstrated in a number of states nationwide the potential to improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and lower healthcare utilization and costs for high-risk populations; (4) Healthcare delivery systems are increasingly transitioning to value-based purchasing and whole-person care models that emphasize prevention and the integration of health-related social needs; and (5) A carefully scoped pilot program, developed in collaboration with health insurers and community-based service providers, is necessary to determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of food-as-medicine interventions in Rhode Island. SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" …
Sponsors
- Victoria Gu (D, SD-038) · primary sponsor
- DiPalma, Louis (D, SD-012)
- Bridget Valverde (D, SD-035)
- David Tikoian (D, SD-022)
- Lammis Vargas (D, SD-028)
- Valarie Lawson (D, SD-014)
- Pamela Lauria (D, SD-032)
- DiMario, Alana (D, SD-036)
- Melissa Murray (D, SD-024)
- Thomas Paolino (R, SD-017)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : House passed Sub A in concurrence
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Senate passed Sub A
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #551: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 11, 2026): 63 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Senate Seq #486: (June 9, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: Passage of Sub A (June 2, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: Passage (June 2, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: Passage (March 10, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH AND SAFETY
Common questions
- What is S2892?
- S2892 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM (Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.).
- What is the status of S2892?
- Signed into law as of June 18, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2892?
- Victoria Gu (D, SD-038), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2892?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2892A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.