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H 7418Higher Education

Education - University of Rhode Island Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

This bill establishes a medical school and a dental school at the University of Rhode Island to train doctors and dentists.

Held for study
Population
Affected
35
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 30, 2026Committee House Education

Plain-English Summary

This legislation establishes a School of Medicine and a School of Dentistry within the University of Rhode Island (URI). The purpose of these new schools is to train medical and dental professionals to meet the state's workforce needs and improve healthcare access, particularly for underserved populations. The bill authorizes URI to grant M.D., D.D.S., and D.M.D. degrees, provided the schools obtain necessary accreditation from national bodies. It also allows URI to partner with hospitals for clinical training and establishes a framework for funding and faculty practice plans.

For younger readers

This new law allows the University of Rhode Island (URI) to build two special schools. One school is for teaching people how to become doctors, and the other is for teaching people how to become dentists. The goal is to have more doctors and dentists in Rhode Island to help take care of sick people and fix teeth. The university has to make sure the schools follow strict rules and are good enough before students can start learning there. It also allows the state to give money to help build and run these schools.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
University of Rhode IslandMedical and Dental StudentsHospitals and Health SystemsHealthcare PatientsTaxpayers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Explicitly mandates that a purpose of the schools is to improve access to medical and dental care for underserved populations, addressing systemic healthcare inequality.
  • Expands the state's public education infrastructure, potentially making medical and dental education more accessible and affordable compared to private institutions.
  • Increases the pipeline of healthcare workers within the state, which strengthens the social safety net and public health capabilities for all residents.
  • The establishment of faculty practice plans allows for revenue retention, which could incentivize profit-driven models within a public institution rather than purely service-based care.
  • Does not include specific mandates for tuition caps, scholarships for low-income students, or diversity quotas to ensure the student body reflects the community.
  • Large appropriations for medical facilities might divert limited state funds away from other immediate social services or K-12 education needs.
For Conservatives
  • Focuses on workforce development and training high-skill professionals, which contributes to the state's economic growth and reduces reliance on out-of-state medical providers.
  • Allows for the creation of faculty practice plans that generate revenue, potentially reducing the tax burden required to support the schools' operations.
  • Utilizes permissive language regarding funding ("may appropriate"), giving the legislature discretion over fiscal spending rather than creating an automatic, uncontrollable mandate.
  • Significantly expands the size and scope of state government by creating two new major academic and administrative departments funded by taxpayers.
  • The capital development required for medical and dental schools will likely result in substantial bond debt or tax expenditures for the state.
  • Creates a government-run competitor to private medical education and healthcare entities, potentially distorting the local market.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 62 additions

SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 16-32.2-1. Establishment. There are hereby established within the University of Rhode Island a school of medicine and a school of dentistry, each of which shall be academic units of the University of Rhode Island. 16-32.2-2. Purpose. The purposes of the schools of medicine and dentistry shall be to:

(1) Provide professional education and training in medicine and dentistry to meet the health care workforce needs of the state;

(2) Improve access to medical and dental care for the residents of Rhode Island, including underserved populations;

(3) Support research, public health initiatives, and community-based clinical education;

(4) Promote collaboration with hospitals, health systems, dental clinics, and other health- related institutions. 16-32.2-3. Authority to confer degrees. The University of Rhode Island is authorized to confer, through its schools of medicine and dentistry:

(1) The degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.);

(2) The degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.); and

(3) Such other graduate or professional degrees as may be approved by the board of trustees of the University of Rhode Island and the council on postsecondary education. 16-32.2-4. Governance.

(a) The schools of medicine and dentistry shall be subject to the governance, management, and control of the board of trustees of the University of Rhode Island, consistent with applicable law.

(b) Each school shall be administered by a dean, appointed by the president of the University of Rhode Island with the approval of the board of trustees. 16-32.2-5. Accreditation.

(a) The University of Rhode Island shall seek and maintain accreditation:

(1) For the school of medicine, by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or its successor;

(2) For the school of dentistry, by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or its successor.

(b) No students shall be matriculated into a professional degree program unless the applicable accrediting body has authorized matriculation under its standards. 16-32.2-6. Clinical education and affiliation agreements.

(a) The University of Rhode Island is authorized to enter into affiliation agreements with hospitals, health systems, dental clinics, community health centers, and other entities for purposes including, but not limited to:

(1) Clinical education and clerkships;

(2) Residency and post-graduate training;

(3) Appointment of clinical faculty;

(4) Joint research and public service activities.

(b) Individuals employed by affiliated entities may hold academic appointments at the University of Rhode Island, subject to policies of the board of trustees. 16-32.2-7. Faculty practice plans.

(a) The board of trustees may establish or designate one or more faculty practice plans, including nonprofit entities, for the administration of professional clinical services provided by faculty of the schools of medicine and dentistry.

(b) Revenues generated through faculty practice plans established or designated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be retained by the University of Rhode Island and used to support the educational, clinical, and research missions of the schools. 16-32.2-8. Funding. The general assembly may appropriate funds for the planning, establishment, operation, and maintenance of the schools of medicine and dentistry, including accreditation, faculty recruitment, facilities, and student support. 16-32.2-9. Capital development. Facilities for the schools of medicine and dentistry shall be subject to the state capital development process and may be financed through appropriations, bonds approved by the voters, or other lawful means. 16-32.2-10. Rules and regulations. The board of trustees of the University of Rhode Island may adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.