Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8171: 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, February 27, 2026:
2026 -- H 8171 ======== LC005424 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM Introduced By: Representatives Caldwell, Slater, Kislak, and Spears Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Finance 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" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: …
Sponsors
- Justine Caldwell (D, HD-030) · primary sponsor
- Scott Slater (D, HD-010)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : House passed Sub A
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #463: PASSAGE (June 10, 2026): 63 yea, 8 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Passage of Sub A (June 8, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Passage (June 8, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH AND SAFETY
Common questions
- What is H8171?
- H8171 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 H8171?
- Signed into law as of June 18, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8171?
- Justine Caldwell (D, HD-030), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8171?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8171A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.