Bill
Bill > H7196
RI H7196
RI H7196Criminalizes 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
01/21/2026
In Committee
01/21/2026
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)
Ramon Perez (D)*,
Samuel Azzinaro (D),
Richard Fascia (R),
Deb Fellela (D),
Marie Hopkins (R),
Raymond Hull (D),
George Nardone (R),
Bob Phillips (D),
Bob Quattrocchi (R),
Paul Santucci (R),
Last Action
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary (on 01/21/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://status.rilegislature.gov/ |
| BillText | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7196.pdf |
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