Rhode Island’s General Assembly has approved legislation requiring healthcare providers and facilities to notify patients when they use AI tools to document in-person or telehealth visits, sending the bill to the governor for his signature.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Pamela Lauria, MSN, and Rep. Teresa Tanzi, both Democrats, would require that providers employing an AI scribe disclose that use to the patient and review the AI-generated documentation for accuracy after the visit.
The bill defines healthcare providers broadly, covering physicians, physician assistants, dentists, registered and licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nursing assistants and other professionals licensed by the state health department.
Ms. Lauria, a primary care nurse practitioner, noted that documentation burden is a leading driver of clinician burnout and that AI scribes have sharply reduced the time needed to complete notes. But the bill “ensures that [patients] will always be notified when AI-transcription is used in their visit and have the option to opt out if they are not comfortable,” she said in a June news release.
The legislation drew committee support from the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island ACLU. If signed, the act takes effect upon passage.
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