Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H7951

Introduced

2/27/26

Refer

2/27/26

Caption

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY WOMEN’S, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE

Impact

The bill is poised to address significant gaps in reproductive health care, particularly for women from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds. It seeks to uncover issues such as underdiagnosed reproductive health conditions and barriers to accessing adequate clinical services or insurance coverage. By providing a structured review of these concerns, the commission will gather data to inform potential legislative or policy changes that could improve health outcomes for women throughout their life course.

Summary

House Bill 7951 establishes a special legislative commission tasked with studying women's reproductive health across various life stages, including adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause. This 17-member commission will include representatives from the legislature, health organizations, and advocacy groups focused on women's health. The commission aims to report back to the House by March 2, 2027, and will be dissolved by May 2, 2027. The intent behind this resolution is to evaluate the unique medical, psychological, and socio-economic challenges women face regarding reproductive health and ensure their needs are comprehensively understood and addressed.

Contention

While many support the creation of such a commission, which is seen as a crucial step towards understanding and improving women's reproductive health, there may be concern surrounding funding and the implementation of recommendations that arise from the commission's findings. Some advocates worry that without sufficient political and public support, this initiative may not translate into meaningful changes in laws or healthcare practices across the state.

Latest RI H7951 Activity

View All Events: RI 2026 Regular Session H7951

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5161

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (Creates a special joint legislative study commission to study public ownership of certain public utilities, including electricity and natural gas.)

RI S0518

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BAIL REFORMS ON BLACK RHODE ISLANDERS AND THE STATE

RI H6156

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN IN STATE CARE

RI S1156

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RETURN OF CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE (Creates a seven (7) member joint legislative commission to study and prepare a report on the return of Central Falls schools to local governance.)

RI H5131

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO INMATES AND INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (RIDOC) (Creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC, and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2026, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2026.)

RI H5847

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE FINDINGS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE FLOODING OF THE PAWTUXET RIVER (Creates an 11-member commission to study and provide recommendations and potential solutions to address the flooding of the Pawtuxet River, and who would report back by March 2, 2026, and would expire on June 2, 2026.)

RI S0360

SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND ASSESS EDUCATION MODULES FOR DIVORCING PARENTS (Creates a nine (9) member commission to the study and assess the most effective module for divorcing parents, and would report back by January 27, 2026, and expire on March 27, 2026.)

RI S0216

SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND REVIEW RHODE ISLAND'S MINIMUM WAGE (This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the special legislative commission to study Rhode Island’s minimum wage from May 4, 2025, to May 4, 2026, and said commission would expire on January 4, 2027.)

RI S1162

SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING DATE AND AMENDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS (Deletes the language "by August 31, 2024" on page 3, line 1, and extend the reporting date of the special legislative commission to study renewable energy programs from February 14, 2025, to February 13, 2026 and said commission expires on June 30, 2026.)

RI S0373

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY (Creates a 5 member commission to recommend legislative proposals for blockchain and cryptocurrency, and submit an interim progress report by January 5, 2026, and a final report by January 5, 2027, and would expire on February 5, 2027.)