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RI S2689
Bill
Status
2/27/2026
Primary Sponsor
Melissa Murray
Click for details
AI Summary
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Directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to convene and support a network of Rhode Island Equity Zones (RIEZ) consisting of local multisector collaboratives of nonprofits, service providers, advocates, community members, state agencies, and municipalities to address social determinants of health
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Requires EOHHS to collect and analyze relevant data, provide direct assistance to improve equity zone capacity, connect zones to technical assistance providers, and coordinate with other state departments on housing and economic development for a "whole government" approach
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Codifies the existing 14 equity zone communities that currently involve over 1,800 individual leaders and 300 organizations across 20 sectors serving historically underserved residents
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Cites program outcomes including a 21% drop in social vulnerability in RIEZ communities between 2018-2022 compared to 0.4% in non-RIEZ areas, and only 2% increase in vulnerability during COVID-19 versus 14% in non-RIEZ communities
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Effective July 1, 2026, with state appropriations to be combined with federal dollars to fund the equity zone network infrastructure
Legislative Description
Mandates that the EOHHS assemble a network of equity zones where local multisector groups of nonprofits, service providers, advocates, community members, state agencies, and municipalities can address social factors of health at a local level.
State Affairs And Government
Last Action
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
3/12/2026