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 hand over their credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment information as a condition of receiving medical treatment. In other words, a doctor's office, clinic, or other healthcare provider could not tell a patient "you must put a card on file before we will see you" — patients would have the right to seek care without being forced to store their payment details with a provider upfront.

The bill would affect all Rhode Island residents who seek medical care, particularly those who may feel uncomfortable or financially vulnerable when asked to keep payment information on file. It would also affect healthcare providers, who would need to change any policies or intake procedures that currently make storing electronic payment information a requirement for scheduling or receiving treatment.

To give the rule some teeth, the bill classifies any violation of this prohibition as a deceptive trade practice. This means that healthcare providers who break the rule could face legal consequences under Rhode Island's existing consumer protection laws, giving patients a formal avenue to seek recourse.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study. It is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026, meaning it has not yet been passed into law and is still in the early stages of the legislative process.