All Roll Calls
Yes: 175 • No: 1
Rhode IslandH79232026 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT .
Sponsored By: Matthew S. Dawson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Old intractable pain law repealed
The state repeals its prior intractable pain treatment laws (Ch. 5‑37.4 and Ch. 5‑37.5). Patients and providers no longer rely on the special rights or procedures in those chapters. Care now follows the updated Uniform Controlled Substances Act and health department rules.
New opioid limits and PDMP checks
The law sets safer opioid prescribing rules. For adults, a first prescription for acute pain is limited to 7 days. For patients under 18, any opioid prescription is capped at 20 doses unless the doctor documents a medical need. Before prescribing, the doctor must discuss risks and non‑opioid options, record that talk, and offer naloxone. Prescribers must check the state drug‑monitoring system before starting or refilling, and at least every 3 months for patients on opioids 3 months or more, and document the check. The law removes fixed dose numbers and relies on professional standards and clinical judgment. The health department can publish best‑practice advice and rules, including when to co‑prescribe naloxone and how to spot high overdose risk.
Updated drug definitions and pain terms
Starting January 1, 2023, opioid medications mean FDA‑approved opioid drugs and include partial agonists like buprenorphine. The law defines acute pain (generally under 30 days) and chronic pain (90 days or more). “Chronic intractable pain” must be severe, constant, and supported by a written diagnosis from a Rhode Island‑licensed pain specialist, oncologist, or similar specialist. The statute also replaces “opiate” with “opioid” in the narcotic drug definition as of January 1, 2023. It repeals the old definitions section and updates many terms, like practitioner, therapeutic purpose, and ultimate user, to guide how the law is applied.
When the law takes effect
The act takes effect upon passage.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matthew S. Dawson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/11/2026
UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AC PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE
Yes: 68 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/11/2026
RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT Passage
Yes: 37 • No: 1
House vote • 3/26/2026
UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUB. ACT PASSAGE
Yes: 70 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor — Chapter 314
6/23/2026GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/18/2026GovernorHouse passed Sub A in concurrence
6/11/2026HousePlaced on House Calendar (06/11/2026)
6/11/2026HouseSenate read and passed
6/11/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)
6/10/2026SenateCommittee recommends passage of Sub A
6/9/2026Proposed Substitute
6/8/2026Scheduled for consideration (06/09/2026)
6/5/2026Referred to Senate Health and Human Services
4/3/2026SenateHouse read and passed
3/26/2026HousePlaced on House Calendar (03/26/2026)
3/20/2026HouseCommittee recommends passage
3/19/2026Scheduled for consideration (03/19/2026)
3/13/2026Committee recommended measure be held for further study
3/3/2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/03/2026)
2/27/2026Introduced, referred to House Health & Human Services
2/27/2026House
Bill Text
H7923 - As Introduced
2/27/2026
H7923 - Substitute
2/27/2026
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