House approves bill imposing heavier fines on prescribers who overmedicate in death resulting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The House of Representatives approved Thursday a measure that strengthens Ryan’s Law, penalizing prescribers who overmedicate with death resulting.

Ryan’s Law was named after Ryan Massemini, a Johnston man who died after being over prescribed medication to treat Huntington’s disease.

Rep. Deborah Fellela introduced the original act in 2021. This increased the maximum fine for prescribers found guilty of overmedicating from $10,000 to $30,000.

This established a new chapter of the general laws for the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline to levy fines.

The new law will require the licensing board to impose a probationary period of three years for any licensee found guilty of overprescribing with death resulting.

A violation during the probationary period could result in suspension or license revocation.

The measure will move to the Senate for consideration.