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5/13/2022
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House OKs Fellela bill changing name of Authority to Fine Healthcare Professionals Act to Ryan’s Law
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STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives Thursday gave its approval to legislation introduced by Rep. Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston) that would name a law passed last year after the young man whose death precipitated it.
In 2021, the General Assembly passed a law (2021-H 5098A) introduced by Representative Fellela that increased the maximum fine amount for those found guilty of unprofessional conduct from $10,000 to $30,000.
It also established a new chapter of the general laws that gives the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline the authority to levy fines. The legislation Representative Fellela introduced this year (2022-H 7157) would officially designate that legislation as “Ryan’s Law” in honor of Ryan Massemini, a Johnston man who died after being overprescribed medication to treat Huntington’s disease.
“We were successful last year in getting this legislation passed to have more accountability from doctors who overprescribe,” said Representative Fellela, who has known the Massemini family for years. “It was only just that we revisit the law this year and name it in Ryan’s honor and I was only too proud to sponsor this legislation.”
Ryan’s father, Louis Massemini, testified in favor of the bill in front of the House Corporations Committee, asking that the law be named in his son’s honor.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2022-S 2406) has been introduced by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence).
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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