Rhode Island
Overview
Rhode Island enacted supported decision-making legislation in 2019 and expanded it further in 2024. Supported decision-making is now recognized both through a dedicated SDM Act and as a formal alternative to limited and full guardianship. Rhode Island law also prohibits discrimination based on disability in the organ transplant context and includes supported decision-making services as auxiliary aids. There is currently no reported case law applying these statutes or citing supported decision-making to deny or terminate guardianship.
Guardianship Laws
Supported Decision-Making
Supported Decision-Making Statute
- 42 R.I. Gen. Laws § § 42-66.13-1–13-10 (2019).
- Link to Enacted Bill H5909A:
State Legislation
- 42 R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 42-66.13
- Description: Provides the Supported Decision-Making Act
- 23 R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 23-95 (“Isaac’s Law”)
- Description: Prohibits discrimination against people based on physical or mental disability in the medical context of organ transplantation, including supported decision-making services as an “auxiliary service.”
- S.B. 2112, 2024 Gen. Assemb., Leg. Sess. (R.I. 2024)
- Description: Establishes supported decision-making as an alternative to Limited Guardianship and Guardianship of Adults.
- Status: Enacted on June 20, 2024.
- H.B. 5909, 2019 Gen. Assemb., Leg. Sess. (R.I. 2019)
- Description: Establishes the use of supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship and codifies a supported decision-making agreement form.
- Status: Enacted on July 8, 2019.
- H.B. 7992, 2017 Leg., Reg. Sess. (R.I. 2019)
- Description: Establishes the use of SDM as an alternative to guardianship and codifies an SDM Agreement form.
- Status: Died in committee
- S. 2753, 2017 Leg., Reg. Sess. (R.I. 2018)
- Description: Establishes the use of SDM as an alternative to guardianship and codifies an SDM Agreement form.
- Status: Died in committee
Case Law & Court Orders
None found
State Grant Programs
None awarded
Information Last Updated: January 25, 2025