Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: Enacted 4 D cosponsors

HB 8171 — AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM

Last action — 06/18/2026 Signed by Governor

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Dan McKee (Democratic) on June 18, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    4 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

Establishes a pilot program to explore food as medicine solutions.

This bill creates a pilot program for using food to improve health. A task force will oversee the initiative and assess its impact.

What this means for you
  • Healthcare: This means healthcare providers may have new strategies to recommend dietary interventions for health improvement.

Summary

Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. 06/18/2026 Signed by Governor

  2. 06/16/2026 Transmitted to Governor

  3. 06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

  4. 06/10/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/11/2026)

  5. 06/10/2026 House passed Sub A

  6. 06/08/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026)

  7. 06/08/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A

  8. 06/07/2026 Proposed Substitute

  9. 06/06/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)

  10. 05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  11. 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/14/2026)

  12. 02/27/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 110 not signed on · 8 voted No

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (110)

110 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 110 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSAGE

Passed 63 Yea · 8 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 57004
Independent 1000
Republican 2800
Unaffiliated 3000
Total 63804
% of votes cast 84%11%0%5%
How each member voted (75)
Member Party Vote
Mr. Speaker — Yea
O'Brien — Yea
ShallcrossSmith — Yea
Alex Finkelman Democratic Not Voting
Alex Marszalkowski Democratic Yea
Anthony J. DeSimone Democratic Yea
Arthur Handy Democratic Yea
Arthur J. Corvese Democratic Not Voting
Brandon C. Potter Democratic Yea
Brandon T. Voas Democratic Yea
Brian Patrick Kennedy Democratic Yea
Carol Hagan McEntee Democratic Yea
Charlene M. Lima Democratic Yea
Cherie L. Cruz Democratic Not Voting
David A. Bennett Democratic Yea
David Morales Democratic Yea
Deborah A. Fellela Democratic Yea
Earl A. Read, III Democratic Yea
Edith H. Ajello Democratic Yea
Enrique George Sanchez Democratic Yea
Evan P. Shanley Democratic Yea
Grace Diaz Democratic Yea
Gregory J. Costantino Democratic Yea
Jacquelyn M. Baginski Democratic Yea
Jason Knight Democratic Yea
Jenni A. Furtado Democratic Yea
Jennifer A. Stewart Democratic Yea
Jennifer Smith Boylan Democratic Yea
John G. Edwards Democratic Yea
John J. Lombardi Democratic Yea
Jose F. Batista Democratic Yea
Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. Democratic Yea
Joseph M. McNamara Democratic Yea
Joshua J. Giraldo Democratic Yea
Julie A. Casimiro Democratic Yea
June Speakman Democratic Yea
Justine A. Caldwell Democratic Yea
K. Joseph Shekarchi Democratic Not Voting
Karen Alzate Democratic Yea
Katherine S. Kazarian Democratic Yea
Kathleen A. Fogarty Democratic Yea
Lauren H. Carson Democratic Yea
Leonela Felix Democratic Yea
Marvin L. Abney Democratic Yea
Mary Duffy Messier Democratic Yea
Matt S. Dawson Democratic Yea
Megan L. Cotter Democratic Yea
Mia A. Ackerman Democratic Yea
Michelle E. McGaw Democratic Yea
Nathan W. Biah Democratic Yea
Patricia A. Serpa Democratic Yea
Ramon A. Perez Democratic Yea
Raymond A. Hull Democratic Yea
Rebecca M. Kislak Democratic Yea
Robert D. Phillips Democratic Yea
Robert E. Craven, Sr. Democratic Yea
Samuel A. Azzinaro Democratic Yea
Scott A. Slater Democratic Yea
Stephen M. Casey Democratic Yea
Susan R. Donovan Democratic Yea
Teresa Ann Tanzi Democratic Yea
Terri Cortvriend Democratic Yea
Thomas E. Noret Democratic Yea
Tina L. Spears Democratic Yea
Jon D. Brien Independent Yea
Brian C. Newberry Republican Nay
Christopher G. Paplauskas Republican Yea
David J. Place Republican Nay
George A Nardone Republican Nay
Marie A. Hopkins Republican Yea
Michael W. Chippendale Republican Nay
Paul M. Santucci Republican Nay
Richard R. Fascia Republican Nay
Robert J. Quattrocchi Republican Nay
Sherry Roberts Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 8171 do?
Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.
Who sponsors HB 8171?
HB 8171 is sponsored by Tina L. Spears (Democratic), Rebecca M. Kislak (Democratic), Scott A. Slater (Democratic), and Justine A. Caldwell (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 8171?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 8171?
Track HB 8171 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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