Supporters Can Testify in Support of the Legislation
The Rhode Island House Health & Human Services Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on House Bill 5849, the Rhode Island Equity Zone Act, on Thursday, March 27 at the Rise of the House, typically around 4:30 pm, in the House Lounge. If passed, the bill would establish the Rhode Island Equity Zone (RIEZ) network as a formal and permanent program within the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
Currently, the Health Equity Zones (HEZ) are an initiative of the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) and do not have statutory directives from the General Assembly; Representative Teresa Tanzi (District 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Senator Melissa Murray (District 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and are leading an effort to change that. Senator Murray and Representative Tanzi have introduced Senate Bill 0697 and H5849, which, if passed, would mandate EOHHS to coordinate and sustain the RIEZ network.
One Neighborhood Builders, the backbone entity of the Central Providence Health Equity Zone, encourages supporters to testify in support of H5859 to members of the House Health & Human Services Committee. A hearing on the Senate bill has not yet been scheduled.
Last week, leaders and advocates from RI’s fourteen Health Equity Zones gathered at the State House to urge lawmakers to pass the RI Equity Zone Act. Read about the event or watch the Capital TV Recording here.
Testify in Person
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
Time: Rise of the House (around 4pm)
Place: House Lounge – RI State House, 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903
Enter the State House on the Smith Street side. All who enter the State House will have to go through a metal detector. Once inside, go to the second floor and enter the House Lounge, which is behind the House Chamber, through the hallway on either side of the House Chamber. Floor plan available here: State House Floor Plan
Sign up to testify on the sign-in sheet near the Lounge. When you are called, thank the Committee and speak for two minutes or less about why you support this bill. Check out the fact sheet below for more talking points.
Submit Written Testimony
The Legislature provides information on submitting written testimony on its website. For the hearing on H5849, send written testimony to HouseHealthandHumanServices@nullrilegislature.gov by 2pm on Thursday. Testimony must include: your name/organization, the bill number (H5849) and express your support for this legislation.
Partner organizations can sign onto a sign-on letter by 11am on Thursday available here: RI Equity Zone Act Sign On Letter
Written Testimony Template for Partners and HEZs
Learn more about the Rhode Island Equity Act
Check out the RI Equity Zone Act Fact Sheet.
House Health and Human Services Committee Members
The list of members of the committee and their contact information can be found on the RI Legislature’s website, here. The list includes:
- Representative Susan Donovan, Chair (District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth)
- Representative Joshua Giraldo, First Vice Chair (District 56, Central Falls)
- Representative Brandon Botter, Second Vice Chair (District 16, Cranston)
- Representative Mia Ackerman (District 45, Cumberland, Lincoln)
- Representative David Bennett (District 20, Warwick, Cranston)
- Representative Jennifer Boylan (District 66, Barrington, Riverside)
- Representative Megan Cotter (District 39, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond)
- Representative Kathleen Fogarty (District 35, South Kingstown)
- Representative Arthur Handy (District 18, Cranston)
- Representative Marie Hopkins (District 21, Warwick)
- Representative Rebecca Kislak (District 4, Providence)
- Representative Michelle McGaw (District 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton)
- Representative David Place (District 47, Burrillville)
- Representative June Speakman (District 68, Warren, Bristol)
- Representative Jennifer Stewart (District 59, Pawtucket)
