The Department of Health had a public comment forum Thursday May 14th to discuss proposed regulations regarding the save use of sedation.  RIAPA was represented by myself and Jim Carney.  Similar to the legislative bills, one of our biggest concerns was that once again, PAs were left out of the regulations.  While some may see that as a positive "well if we aren't in there it won't affect us" while others (our legal council and the AAPA) felt strongly otherwise, stating if we aren't included then we cant do it.   The meeting was attended by representatives from RISNA, NPARI, RIANA, Care New England as well as NPs and CRNAs.  I didnt see any other PAs there.  The Department of Health was open to questions and feedback and the meeting felt productive on some fronts but there is clearly a lot of friction as to who can safely provide sedation.  If the House and Senate pass a bill that the Governor signs than the regulations become meaningless and the new law trumps everything.  So what does this all mean?  Any PA that provides any level or sedation in any setting is at risk of losing that privilege.  Stay engaged and stay supportive.

In a disappointing turn of events.  PAs lost miserably in the Senate.  The Senate Bill 3184 morphed into a different version which was, in theory, designed to appease the majority but still included major language flaws.  The biggest flaw was that it still excluded PAs as providers able to provide sedation in RI.  Other flaws limited where sedation could be used and who exactly could use it.  Why did the bill pass?  There are several reasons but the most important one is that the CRNAs are a strong vocal group that supports their organization.  What happens now? The bill moves over to the House to be voted on.  Since there is still a House bill 7740 that is different than the Senate bill, the House has to reconcile, merge or harmonize the differences between these two bills and then vote on it.  If the resulting bill is different than the Senate bill then the senate must vote on that bill again before it can go to the Governor.  We are watching this very closely. 

4/27/26  The Senate Version of the sedation bill is being heard by the Senate committee this Thursday. 4/30 

The RIAPA OPPOSES This Bill

This bill would essentially restrict or prohibit PAs in multiple settings from providing mild or moderate conscious sedation except for very limited emergency situations.  If you provide mild sedation for outpatient procedures or inpatient procedures (not in a critical care setting) then this bill would prohibit you from providing any sedation. 

Click on the event below  for more information

• Senate Hearing on the Sedation Bill <<<<<<<<<<
  Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:30 PM 
   
  State House - Room 211
• Here is the text of the Senate Bill >> Click Here

4/23/26  We are actively working on this and will have more information on what you can do.  In the meantime, save May 14th at 2:00pm for Public Comment on the regulations at the Department of Health.  

You can view the draft regulations here >>>  RI DOH DRAFT SEDATION REGULATIONS