Prohibits the practice of patient brokering and provides monetary penalties and enforcement by the office of the attorney general.

# Summary of the Rhode Island Patient Brokering Act

This bill would make it illegal to engage in "patient brokering," which is the practice of paying or receiving money, kickbacks, or other rewards in exchange for referring patients to or from healthcare providers, treatment facilities, laboratories, or similar services. Essentially, it targets situations where someone profits by steering patients toward specific medical or treatment facilities — not because those facilities are the best fit for the patient, but because there's a financial incentive involved. This practice is particularly associated with substance abuse treatment, where unscrupulous brokers have been known to recruit vulnerable individuals into specific rehab programs in exchange for payment.

The bill would establish clear monetary penalties for anyone found guilty of patient brokering. It would give the Rhode Island Attorney General's office the authority to investigate and enforce these rules, meaning the state's top law enforcement office would be responsible for pursuing violators. This is designed to create a strong deterrent against the practice and give the state real tools to crack down on it.

The bill primarily affects healthcare providers, treatment facilities, marketers, and anyone involved in referring patients for medical or behavioral health services. It aims to protect patients — especially those seeking addiction treatment or other critical care — from being treated as commodities. By removing financial incentives from patient referrals, the bill seeks to ensure that people are directed to care based on their actual needs rather than on who is willing to pay the most for their business.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Corporations Committee. The committee has recommended holding it for further study, with a hearing or further consideration scheduled for January 2026.