HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO INMATES AND INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (RIDOC) (Creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC, and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2027, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2027.)

Plain-English Summary

This Rhode Island House Resolution proposes creating a temporary, nine-member study commission focused on healthcare delivery inside Rhode Island's state prisons and detention facilities. The commission would examine how medical care is currently provided to people who are incarcerated — either serving sentences or awaiting trial — under the supervision of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC). The goal is to identify problems and develop recommendations for improvement.

The commission would be made up of nine members and would be expected to complete its work and submit a formal report to the Rhode Island House of Representatives no later than January 5, 2027. The commission itself would officially dissolve on March 5, 2027, meaning it is designed as a short-term, focused effort rather than a permanent body.

This resolution would most directly affect people who are currently incarcerated or detained in Rhode Island state facilities, as well as the staff and administrators who work within RIDOC. It could also have broader implications for taxpayers and policymakers if the commission's recommendations lead to changes in how the state contracts for or manages healthcare services in its correctional system. Currently, the resolution has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study rather than moving it forward immediately.