PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island lawmakers advanced key measures to strengthen mental healthcare during this legislative session, including legislation to support 988 and crisis stabilization services, make crisis resources more accessible to students, and improve access to mobile response services for young people.
“By strengthening the crisis care continuum in our communities, this legislation brings us one step closer to a system in which Rhode Islanders can access the right kind of care faster and closer to home.” said Caden Fabbi, Director of State Affairs at Inseparable. “Inseparable thanks Sen. Ujifusa, Sen. DiMario, Sen. Murray, Sen. Gu, Rep. Tanzi, and Rep. Read who helped keep mental healthcare at the forefront this session. We remain committed to building on this momentum to turn this year’s progress into lasting change for Rhode Islanders.”
Bills passed this year that will improve mental healthcare in the state include:
- S 2348 / H 7026, which would require middle and high schools to print crisis phone numbers on the back of student ID cards, was signed by the governor.
- S 3058, which establishes 988 and crisis stabilization in Rhode Island statute and mandates funding for 988 and BH Link, a 24/7 triage facility serving individuals in crisis, passed the Senate.
- S 3065, which sets a reimbursement rate floor for mobile crisis response for youth at the state Medicaid rate, was signed into law.
And Inseparable plans to continue fighting for three critical priorities next session:
- “The Protect Mental Health Act would codify mental health parity protections into state law, so Rhode Islanders can receive the mental health and substance use coverage they’ve been promised, even if federal rules change.
- SB 2564 / HB 7945 would require insurers to use transparent, evidence-based clinical standards when deciding whether mental health and substance use care is medically necessary.
- SB 2467 / HB 7943 would end prior authorizations for mental health and substance use disorder services, helping ensure people can access care without costly delays.
Fabbi continued:
“Our progress this year underscores why the work cannot stop here. Too many families continue to be denied or priced out of mental healthcare. Too many students are left behind because mental healthcare is inaccessible or inadequate. Every day, Rhode Islanders seeking the care they need face barriers that delay treatment, turn manageable conditions into emergencies, or cause them to stop seeking care altogether.
“We look forward to the commencement of next session, when we can focus on providing Rhode Islanders with mental healthcare that is easy to get and easy to afford.”
Fabbi is available for interviews to discuss Rhode Island’s mental health progress and opportunities for next session.
About Inseparable
Inseparable is a national mental health advocacy organization founded on the principle that mental health is inseparable from physical health. Inseparable drives transformative change at the federal and state levels by engaging bipartisan policymakers, mobilizing support, and advancing mental health and substance use disorder policies that help people thrive. Inseparable works to expand access to care, promote youth mental health, improve crisis response, and strengthen the mental health workforce.