H 7743Police & Prisons

Health and Safety - The Mandatory Carrying of Epinephrine Autoinjectors by Police Officers Act

This bill requires Rhode Island police officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors and undergo biannual training to treat severe allergic reactions.

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Introduced Feb 12, 2026Committee House Health & Human Services

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that all state and municipal police officers in Rhode Island carry epinephrine autoinjectors, commonly known as EpiPens, either in their vehicles or on their person. The bill authorizes officers to administer this medication to individuals experiencing severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylactic shock. Additionally, the bill requires police departments to purchase the necessary supplies and fund mandatory biannual training for officers regarding the use of these devices. These requirements must be incorporated into police budgets beginning in the fiscal year 2027.

For younger readers

This law requires police officers to carry a special medicine called epinephrine. This medicine is used to help people who are having a very bad allergic reaction that makes it hard to breathe. Because police cars often arrive at emergencies quickly, having this medicine can help save a person's life while they wait for an ambulance. The law also says that police officers must go to a class twice a year to learn how to use the medicine safely. Police departments will have to pay for the medicine and the training classes.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Peace officersPolice departmentsIndividuals with severe allergiesMunicipal taxpayersEmergency Medical Services (EMS)

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Expands the role of law enforcement to include vital life-saving care, shifting the focus of policing toward community service and public health aid rather than solely enforcement.
Increases equity in emergency medical response by ensuring that individuals in all neighborhoods, regardless of ambulance response times, have faster access to life-saving medication during anaphylactic emergencies.
Provides a safety net for vulnerable individuals who may suffer from severe allergies but cannot afford their own epinephrine autoinjectors due to high pharmaceutical costs.
Increases funding and budgets for police departments to purchase equipment and training, diverting potential resources that could otherwise go to specialized EMS or social services.
Places medical responsibilities on armed officers rather than investing in more non-police emergency medical responders, maintaining reliance on police for non-crime issues.
Raises concerns regarding the adequacy of biannual training for police compared to professional medical personnel, potentially leading to errors in medical administration.

For Conservatives

Enhances public safety and order by equipping first responders with the tools necessary to prevent fatalities in the community.
Maximizes the utility of existing police patrols to address medical emergencies efficiently without requiring the immediate creation of new government agencies.
Protects the sanctity of life by reducing response times for potentially fatal medical emergencies.
Imposes an unfunded mandate on municipal budgets, forcing local police departments to absorb the potentially high costs of epinephrine autoinjectors and training.
Represents government overreach by micromanaging the specific equipment and operational procedures of local police departments via state legislation.
Increases liability risks for municipalities and taxpayers if an officer administers the medication incorrectly or fails to carry it as mandated.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 37 additions

SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares:

(1) That a necessary course of action is needed to improve the safety of those in the State of Rhode Island.

(2) While EMS employees, vehicles, and stations all carry epinephrine autoinjectors, police officers are more likely to respond to a scene first.

(3) Saving time can save lives, and mandating police officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors will greatly reduce the complications and fatalities from anaphylaxis.

(4) Many allergens are unknown, whether by the patient or someone around them, and anaphylaxis can set in quickly depending on the severity of the allergy. The longer the patient’s throat is closed, the longer their body goes without receiving oxygen, which can lead to organ failure, brain damage, and even death. That means that the time spent waiting for EMS to arrive can mean the difference between full recovery and death.

(5) Additionally, police officers are often patrolling the streets of Rhode Island, unlike EMS, and may notice or be drawn to an anaphylactic emergency in their district. Having no way to help the patient(s) other than calling for EMS is a dangerous risk to take. Having an epinephrine autoinjector available, as well as the skills necessary to administer it, is incredibly important when there is no time to be wasted.

(6) It can be argued that police officers do not need more medical training than federally mandated, as that is what EMS is for, but in reality, the more people who have the knowledge, skills, and supplies to save lives, the better it is for everyone.

SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 23-6.6-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Mandatory Carrying of Epinephrine Autoinjectors by Police Officers Act.” 23-6.6-2. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Anaphylactic shock" or "Anaphylaxis” means the severe allergic reaction which causes, but is not limited to, swelling of the tongue/throat, trouble breathing, weak pulse, and potentially death.

(2) “EMS” means all emergency medical services in Rhode Island.

(3) “Epinephrine” means a hormone/medication which is used to regulate visceral functions and reduce/treat patients who are in anaphylactic shock.

(4) “Epinephrine autoinjector” means the device used to administer a premeasured dose of epinephrine to treat one suffering from anaphylactic shock.

(5) “Peace officer” means any state or municipal police officer serving in Rhode Island as defined in § 12-7-21.

(6) “Police department” means any state or municipal department with jurisdiction within Rhode Island.

(7) “Police station” means any building which is used to accommodate police officers and other members of police staff.

(8) “Police vehicles” means any motor vehicle used by police officers. 23-6.6-3. Duties and obligations of police officers and police departments.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws that prohibit a peace officer from administering epinephrine, a controlled substance, or utilizing an epinephrine autoinjector:

(1) All peace officers shall henceforth be authorized to administer epinephrine autoinjectors.

(2) All peace officers shall carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their police vehicles.

(3) If a peace officer does not have a police vehicle, they shall carry an epinephrine autoinjector on their person.

(4) All peace officers shall attend biannual mandatory training on the use of epinephrine autoinjectors.

(5) The cost of epinephrine autoinjectors and officer training shall be incorporated into the budget of each police department. (b)(1) Police departments shall purchase all epinephrine autoinjectors necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Police departments shall comply with the mandates of this chapter and beginning in the fiscal year 2027 each entity controlling or authorizing the budget of a police department shall fund the budget to effect compliance with the mandates of this chapter.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.