§ 23-17.23-1 - Legislative findings.
SECTION 23-17.23-1
§ 23-17.23-1 Legislative findings. –The general assembly finds and declares that:
(1) There is a growing shortage of qualified nurses andhealthcare professionals available to meet the needs of patients in healthcarefacilities in Rhode Island as documented in the report "Help wanted: Thegrowing crisis in Rhode Island's nursing workforce" prepared by Rhode Islandshape foundation;
(2) Healthcare facilities serving the citizens of the stateare experiencing increasing difficulty in attracting nurses to administer totheir patients;
(3) Quality healthcare depends, in part, on the availabilityof nurses and healthcare professionals;
(4) It is in the public interest and essential to the welfareand well-being of the inhabitants of the state that there be a sufficientnumber of nurses and healthcare workers in the state to serve the healthcareneeds of patients; and
(5) It is vital to the welfare of the state's citizenry thatincentives be provided to attract and retain nurses and healthcareprofessionals to provide service in healthcare facilities throughout the state.