Back to All NewsNew Rhode Island Bill Would Regulate Medical Spas
Posted By American Med Spa Association, Monday, March 2, 2020
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A new bill introduced in Rhode Island would create practice requirements specific to medical spas. Senate Bill 2654 (S 2654) is sponsored by State Senator Adam Satchell and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for further consideration. You can review the text of the bill in full here.
S 2654 would create regulations for any practice that performs “Cosmetic Medical Procedures,” including any procedure directed at improving a person’s appearance, such as cosmetic surgery, dermaplaning, microneedling, hair transplants, cosmetic injections, chemical peels or laser hair removal. Every medical spa would need to employ or contract with a physician, physician assistant (PA) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). They would need to be licensed in Rhode Island and have been trained and educated in cosmetic medical procedures from an institution of higher education or a professional organization. These physicians, PAs or APRNs would be responsible for performing the initial assessment for each patient prior to performing the procedure. The procedures can then only be performed by a physician, PA, APRN or registered nurse (RN).
Each medical spa also would need to post information in a conspicuous place as well as its website giving notice of who its licensed providers are and what credentials they hold. Additionally, every advertisement must contain this information, and a written notice must be handed to each patient prior to any treatment.
S 2654 is indicative of a broader trend we have seen. Many states are now attempting to pass rules for medical spas that are designed to address patient safety and unlicensed practice concerns. We will be monitoring S 2654 as it works its way through Rhode Island’s legislative process this year. If you would like to contact the bill’s sponsor, he can be reached via his page on the Rhode Island Legislature’s website.
S 2654 would create regulations for any practice that performs “Cosmetic Medical Procedures,” including any procedure directed at improving a person’s appearance, such as cosmetic surgery, dermaplaning, microneedling, hair transplants, cosmetic injections, chemical peels or laser hair removal. Every medical spa would need to employ or contract with a physician, physician assistant (PA) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). They would need to be licensed in Rhode Island and have been trained and educated in cosmetic medical procedures from an institution of higher education or a professional organization. These physicians, PAs or APRNs would be responsible for performing the initial assessment for each patient prior to performing the procedure. The procedures can then only be performed by a physician, PA, APRN or registered nurse (RN).
Each medical spa also would need to post information in a conspicuous place as well as its website giving notice of who its licensed providers are and what credentials they hold. Additionally, every advertisement must contain this information, and a written notice must be handed to each patient prior to any treatment.
S 2654 is indicative of a broader trend we have seen. Many states are now attempting to pass rules for medical spas that are designed to address patient safety and unlicensed practice concerns. We will be monitoring S 2654 as it works its way through Rhode Island’s legislative process this year. If you would like to contact the bill’s sponsor, he can be reached via his page on the Rhode Island Legislature’s website.
