![[CREDIT: RI State House] Sen. Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick)'s bill authorizes the DOH director to approve back-logged license applications.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RI-Sen.-Peter-appollonio-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: RI State House] Sen. Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick)'s bill authorizes the DOH director to approve back-logged license applications.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RI-Sen.-Peter-appollonio-1-336x325.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
STATE HOUSE — The Senate right this moment permitted laws launched by Sen. Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) to deal with the state’s medical licensing backlog, authorizing the Division of Well being director to approve back-logged license purposes.
The invoice is a part of a package deal of laws launched within the Senate centered on addressing well being care accessibility and affordability.
‘The scarcity of major care physicians in Rhode Island is quickly turning into an emergency.’ — Sen. Appollonio
The invoice, (2025-S 0170A) would grant the director of the Division of Well being the authority to approve or deny any purposes for skilled licensure pending earlier than boards of licensure which were unable to determine a quorum for 30 enterprise days.
“The scarcity of major care physicians in Rhode Island is quickly turning into an emergency,” mentioned Senator Appollonio. “With a purpose to finest deal with this disaster, we first have to make sure that the system for licensing our well being care professionals is environment friendly and freed from snags. This invoice will go a good distance in ensuring that these medical professionals get their licenses expeditiously by eradicating the pointless hurdles that come up when the licensing boards are unable to determine a quorum.”
The measure now strikes to the Home of Representatives for consideration.
