Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H6516 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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5	5	2023 -- H 6516
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7	7	LC003198
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9	9	S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
10	10	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
11	11	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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13	13
14	14	A N A C T
15	15	RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND
16	16	HUMAN SERVICES HEALT H EQUITY ZONE INITIATIVE
17	17	Introduced By: Representative Arthur Handy
18	18	Date Introduced: June 13, 2023
19	19	Referred To: House Health & Human Services
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22	22	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
23	23	SECTION 1. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human 1
24	24	Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
25	25	42-7.2-6.2. Health equity zone initiative and administration. 3
26	26	(a) For purposes of this section, "health equity zone initiative (HEZ)" means a health 4
27	27	equity-centered approach to prevention of inequities, that facilitates place-based, community-led 5
28	28	solutions that address a broad range of social, economic, and environmental factors that influence 6
29	29	health outcomes. 7
30	30	(b) All of the state agencies under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and 8
31	31	human services, (EOHHS) shall assist and manage resources that are focused on addressing these 9
32	32	same social, economic and environmental factors to positively influence health outcomes. The 10
33	33	secretary shall determine in collaboration with the department directors whether and which officers, 11
34	34	employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, commissions, and/or task forces of the HEZ 12
35	35	initiative shall be utilized by the office. 13
36	36	(c) The secretary of EOHHS shall be responsible for the management, oversight, and 14
37	37	direction of the HEZ initiative to foster and promote the enhanced collaboration between and 15
38	38	among its agencies, for the purpose of creating greater efficiencies, improving alignment of state 16
39	39	resources and coordinating collaborative funding requests, that focus on reducing health inequities. 17
40	40	(d) The EOHHS through the HEZ initiative shall develop sustainable infrastructure and 18
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43	43	LC003198 - Page 2 of 3
44	44	support community-identified needs in order to positively impact the social, economic, and 1
45	45	environmental conditions driving disparities and establish measurable improvements in health 2
46	46	outcomes. 3
47	47	(e) The secretary shall report to the governor and general assembly from time to time, 4
48	48	together with the submission of drafts of legislation which the secretary deems necessary to 5
49	49	implement improvements in the HEZ initiative. 6
50	50	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 7
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52	52	LC003198
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56	56	LC003198 - Page 3 of 3
57	57	EXPLANATION
58	58	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
59	59	OF
60	60	A N A C T
61	61	RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND
62	62	HUMAN SERVICES HEALT H EQUITY ZONE INITIATIVE
63	63	***
64	64	This act would charge the EOHHS with the responsibility to fund and administer the health 1
65	65	equity zone initiative by engaging community members and partners to improve health outcomes 2
66	66	for all Rhode Islanders. 3
67	67	This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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69	69	LC003198
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