{"data":{"id":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-23-17.23-1","jurisdiction":"us-ri","citation":"R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17.23-1","heading":"Legislative findings.","body":"The general assembly finds and declares that:\n(1) There is a growing shortage of qualified nurses and healthcare professionals available to meet the needs of patients in healthcare facilities in Rhode Island as documented in the report “Help wanted: The growing crisis in Rhode Island’s nursing workforce” prepared by Rhode Island shape foundation;\n(2) Healthcare facilities serving the citizens of the state are experiencing increasing difficulty in attracting nurses to administer to their patients;\n(3) Quality health care depends, in part, on the availability of nurses and healthcare professionals;\n(4) It is in the public interest and essential to the welfare and well-being of the inhabitants of the state that there be a sufficient number of nurses and healthcare workers in the state to serve the healthcare needs of patients; and\n(5) It is vital to the welfare of the state’s citizenry that incentives be provided to attract and retain nurses and healthcare professionals to provide service in healthcare facilities throughout the state.","path":["Title 23 Health and Safety","Chapter 17.23 Center for Health Professions"],"source_url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE23/23-17.23/23-17.23-1.htm","current_through":"site files published 2025-08-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T19:56:48Z","sha256":"9e9df5833e44087a96438cef8c011c129865ca357491560e5aea7258833c9e1b","source_id":"us-ri","stale":true,"prev":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-23-17.22-3","next":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-23-17.23-2"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}