H 8389Higher Education

Education - University of Rhode Island

This bill provides initial funding of $5 million to the University of Rhode Island to establish a new medical school.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Apr 1, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This bill provides $5 million in state funding for the fiscal year 2027 to help the University of Rhode Island start a new medical school. The money will be used to hire a founding dean, recruit faculty and staff, prepare for accreditation, and plan the curriculum. The bill also outlines expected future funding of $7 million in 2028 and $8 million in 2029, though future lawmakers are not required to provide it. Additionally, the university must submit a progress report to the governor and state legislature by January 1, 2028.

For younger readers

This bill gives $5 million to the University of Rhode Island to help them build a new school for training doctors. The money will be used to hire a boss for the school, find teachers, plan what the students will learn, and make sure the school meets all the rules to become an official medical school. The bill also says the school might get more money in the next two years, and the university has to write a report showing how they spent the first batch of money.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

University of Rhode Island studentsHealthcare professionalsUniversity faculty and staffRhode Island taxpayersPatients in underserved communities

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

$3.21 per taxpayer

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Expands generous public services by creating a new public medical school, providing more educational opportunities within the state university system.
Specifically addresses the shortage of healthcare professionals in underserved communities, promoting healthcare equity and better access to care for disadvantaged populations.
Strengthens the state's healthcare workforce pipeline, bolstering the overall welfare of the community by ensuring residents have access to necessary medical professionals.
Diverts millions of dollars in state funds that could otherwise be used immediately to bolster the social safety net, affordable housing, or direct aid to marginalized groups.
Fails to mandate specific diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, or guaranteed scholarships for low-income students, potentially limiting access for disadvantaged groups.
Does not guarantee future funding, which could eventually lead to high tuition costs that exacerbate systemic inequality by pricing out lower-income medical students.

For Conservatives

Supports long-term economic development by expanding the state's professional workforce and keeping highly skilled, high-earning medical professionals in the local economy.
Addresses the state's physician shortage through a local, state-level initiative rather than relying on federal government intervention or broad federal mandates.
Maintains fiscal flexibility and respects the limits of government spending by explicitly stating that future legislatures are not legally bound to appropriate the anticipated future funds.
Increases government spending by appropriating millions of taxpayer dollars to expand the size and scope of a state-funded public institution.
Uses taxpayer funds to subsidize a public university program, which could compete unfairly with private medical schools and private sector educational initiatives.
Creates a long-term expectation of ongoing taxpayer funding, anticipating at least $15 million more in the next two years, which could lead to future tax increases.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 25 additions

SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Rhode Island faces an ongoing and worsening projected shortage of physicians and healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care and underserved communities;

(2) Establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island would strengthen the state's healthcare workforce pipeline, improve access to care, and support long-term economic development; and

(3) An initial state investment is necessary to support leadership recruitment, faculty hiring, accreditation planning, and curriculum development for such medical school.

SECTION 2. Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws entitled "University of Rhode Island [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 16-32-43. University of Rhode Island medical school -- Establishment and funding.

(a) For fiscal year 2027, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated from general revenues to the University of Rhode Island for the purpose of initiating the establishment of a medical school.

(b) Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for operating expenses and salaries related to, including, but not limited to:

(1) Hiring a founding dean and senior leadership;

(2) Recruitment of core faculty and administrative staff;

(3) Accreditation preparation and compliance activities; and

(4) Curriculum planning and institutional development.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the fiscal year 2027 appropriation represents the first phase of a multi-year state investment to support the development of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.

(d) Subject to future appropriations, the general assembly anticipates additional funding in the following amounts:

(1) Fiscal year 2028: Seven million dollars ($7,000,000); and

(2) Fiscal year 2029: Eight million dollars ($8,000,000).

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any future general assembly to appropriate such funds.

(f) The University of Rhode Island shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly no later than January 1, 2028, detailing:

(1) The use of funds appropriated under this section;

(2) Progress toward accreditation and institutional readiness;

(3) Faculty and leadership hiring progress; and

(4) A projected timeline and budget for subsequent phases of development.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.