Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8579: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT (Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from DBR to operate such a business in this state. Empowers the health insurance commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.)
Status: Signed into law, June 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 22, 2026:
2026 -- H 8579 ======== LC006503 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT Introduced By: Representatives Spears, and Donovan Date Introduced: May 22, 2026 Referred To: House Health & Human Services It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Title 27 of the General Laws entitled "INSURANCE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT 27-84-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Pharmacy Benefit Managers Act." 27-84-2. Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter: (1) "Controlling person" means any person or entity that directly or indirectly has the power to direct or cause to be directed the management, control or activities of a pharmacy benefit manager. (2) "Health insurance commissioner" or "commissioner" means the office of health insurance commissioner. (3) "Insured" or "covered individual" means any person who is entitled to have pharmacy services paid by an insurer pursuant to a policy, certificate, contract, or agreement of insurance or coverage. (4) "Insurer" means an insurance carrier as defined in chapters 18, 19, 20, and 41 of this title. (5) "Pharmacy benefit management services" means the management or administration of prescription drug benefit for an insurer, directly or indirectly through another entity, and …
Sponsors
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036) · primary sponsor
- Susan Donovan (D, HD-069)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
- : 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 #499: PASSAGE AS AMENDED (June 10, 2026): 70 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Seq #498: PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT (June 10, 2026): 68 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Health & Human Services: Passage of Sub A (June 9, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: INSURANCE
Common questions
- What is H8579?
- H8579 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT (Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from DBR to operate such a business in this state. Empowers the health insurance commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.).
- What is the status of H8579?
- Signed into law as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8579?
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for H8579?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8579Aaa.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.