Prohibits a healthcare provider from requiring patients to provide electronic payment information to be kept on file as a condition to receiving treatment and makes it a violation a deceptive trade practice.

## Plain-English Summary

This bill would make it illegal for healthcare providers in Rhode Island to require patients to provide electronic payment information — such as a credit card or bank account number to be stored on file — as a condition of receiving medical treatment. In other words, a doctor's office, clinic, or other healthcare provider could not refuse to see a patient simply because the patient declined to put a payment method on file in advance.

The bill also classifies this kind of requirement as a "deceptive trade practice," which means healthcare providers who violate the rule could face legal consequences under existing consumer protection laws. This gives patients a formal legal avenue to challenge the practice if a provider tries to enforce it.

This bill would affect patients across Rhode Island who have encountered situations where a healthcare provider asked them to store credit card or bank account information before scheduling or receiving care. It would also affect healthcare providers, who would need to change any existing policies that make pre-stored payment information a requirement for treatment.

Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Corporations Committee and was recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward toward a full vote. No final action has been taken on the legislation at this time.