Bill
Bill > H7740
RI H7740
RI H7740Details each of those limited emergency circumstances where a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurses, may safely administer sedation, such as critical life-saving or emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This act would establish that the elective and/or independent administration of propofol, Etomidate, sodium thiopental, methohexital, and volatile anesthetics for any surgery or procedure is not, generally, within the “scope of practice” of registered nurses and non-CRNA advance practice registered nurses as defined in chapter 34.3 of title 5 and would restrict the administration of these medications to licensed certified registered nurse anesthetists. It would also detail each of those limited emergency circumstances where a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurses, may safely administer sedation, such as critical life-saving or emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb. This act would detail each of those limited emergency circumstances where registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, may safely administer sedation, such as critical life-saving or emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb. This act would take effect upon passage.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies that generally, registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are not certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are not authorized to administer general anesthetic agents like propofol, Etomidate, sodium thiopental, methohexital, or volatile gases for elective or independent procedures, restricting this practice to CRNAs. However, the bill carves out specific exceptions for critical life-saving situations, such as when immediate airway management is needed or to maintain sedation for intubated and mechanically ventilated patients, allowing RNs and APRNs to administer certain intravenous medications under specific conditions. It also permits RNs and APRNs to administer anesthetic medications in emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb, like during cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, provided they are acting within their approved scope of practice. The bill also clarifies that these restrictions do not apply to RNs or APRNs sedating intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in critical care settings like emergency rooms or intensive care units.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to House Health & Human Services (on 02/12/2026)
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/H7740.pdf |
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