Requires written consent by recipient or parent before vaccine and prohibits discrimination against those who don't vaccinate and fines up to $25,000 for violation. Also prohibits DCYF from investigating their for failure to vaccinate their child.

Summary: Rhode Island Informed Consent Protection Act

This bill would require that anyone receiving a vaccine — or a parent acting on behalf of their child — must first give written consent before the vaccine is administered. Healthcare providers and other parties would need to obtain this written agreement before proceeding with any vaccination. The goal of the bill is to formally establish that vaccination must be a voluntary, documented decision rather than something that happens without explicit approval.

The bill would also make it illegal to discriminate against people who choose not to get vaccinated. This means schools, employers, businesses, and other organizations could not treat unvaccinated individuals differently — such as denying them services, employment, or access — simply because they have not received a vaccine. Anyone found to be discriminating in this way could face fines of up to $25,000 per violation.

Additionally, the bill would prevent Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) from opening an investigation into a family solely because parents have chosen not to vaccinate their child. Under current practice, child welfare agencies can sometimes be involved when questions arise about a child's medical care, but this bill would specifically carve out vaccination decisions as an area DCYF could not investigate.

This bill would primarily affect parents, children, healthcare providers, employers, schools, and businesses throughout Rhode Island. It has been introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.