Bill

Bill > H7196


RI H7196

RI H7196
Criminalizes the knowing and intentional failure of a physician, nurse, or other licensed medical person to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant born alive as a felony.


summary

Introduced
01/21/2026
In Committee
01/21/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This act would criminalize the knowing and intentional failure of a physician, nurse, or other licensed medical person to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant born alive as a felony. If the infant dies as a result of that failure to provide reasonable care, the medical person would be guilty of manslaughter. This act would take effect upon passage.

AI Summary

This bill makes it a felony for any physician, nurse, or other licensed medical professional to knowingly and intentionally fail to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant who is born alive, meaning the infant shows signs of life such as breathing or a heartbeat after being born. If an infant dies as a direct result of this failure to provide reasonable care, the medical professional would be guilty of manslaughter, a more serious charge. The bill clarifies that parents or guardians can refuse medical treatment for their infant if it's not medically necessary to save the infant's life, if the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits, or if the treatment would only prolong the dying process when death is imminent. This legislation is intended to ensure that infants born alive receive appropriate medical attention and will become law immediately upon its passage.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Introduced, referred to House Judiciary (on 01/21/2026)

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