Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island S3256: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT (Creates the public health data privacy an
Status: In committee, June 5, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT (Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 5, 2026:
2026 -- S 3256 ======== LC005968 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT Introduced By: Senators Burke, and Sosnowski Date Introduced: May 05, 2026 Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services (Dept. of Health) It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT 23-106-1. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter: (1) "De-identified data" means data from which identifiers have been removed in accordance with applicable state and federal standards such that the data cannot reasonably be used to identify an individual. (2) "Line-level data" means reportable disease data that includes direct or indirect identifiers, or that can reasonably be used to identify an individual case, contact, or reporting entity. Individual-level or line-level data can also be known as record-level data. (3) "Public health purpose" means activities necessary to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability including, but not limited to public health surveillance, investigation, outbreak response, intervention, and evaluation. (4) "Reportable disease data" means any information, record, laboratory result, medical record, or other data collected or maintained by Rhode Island department of health ("department") …
Sponsors
- John Burke (D, SD-009) · primary sponsor
- Susan Sosnowski (D, SD-037)
Latest actions
- : Referred to House Health & Human Services
- : Senate read and passed
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to Senate Health and Human Services
Votes
- Senate Seq #421: (June 4, 2026): 37 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 (May 21, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH AND SAFETY
Common questions
- What is S3256?
- S3256 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT (Creates the public health data privacy an.
- What does S3256 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT (Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.)
- What is the status of S3256?
- In committee as of June 5, 2026. Latest action: Referred to House Health & Human Services (June 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored S3256?
- John Burke (D, SD-009), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for S3256?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3256.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.