United States: Two New England States Pass Legislation Restricting Physician Non-Competes

We've written a lot this summer about the Massachusetts legislature's latest failed attempt at non-compete reform. Two other states in New England, however, are able to claim accomplishments in that regard. Specifically, Connecticut and Rhode Island each enacted statutes this summer imposing significant restrictions on the use of non-compete provisions in any agreement that establishes employment or any other form of professional relationship with physicians. While Connecticut's simply law limits the duration and geographic scope of physician non-competes, Rhode Island completely banned such provisions in almost all agreements entered into with physicians.

Connecticut

Effective July 1, 2016, any covenants not-to-compete entered into, amended, or renewed in Connecticut can no longer restrict a physician's competitive activities (i) for longer than one year and (ii) in a geographic region beyond 15 miles from the "primary site" where the physician practices. Primary site refers to "the office, facility or location where a majority of the revenue derived from such physician's services is generated" or "any other office, facility or location where such physician practices and mutually agreed to by the parties and identified in the covenant not to compete." The law also renders such provisions enforceable only if (i) the provision is made in anticipation of a partnership or ownership agreement or (ii) the employment or contractual relationship is terminated by the employer for cause.

Rhode Island

Effective July 12, 2016, it is now unlawful in Rhode Island to restrict in any way "the right to practice medicine in any geographic area for any period of time after the termination" of any partnership, employment, or professional relationship with a physician. The law also prohibits any restrictions on the right of physicians "to solicit or seek to establish a physician/patient relationship with any current patient of the employer." It does not, however, apply in connection with the purchase and sale of a physician practice, provided the restrictive covenant is less than five years in duration.

Takeaway

Entities that employ physicians in Connecticut and Rhode Island should take note of these recent changes to the law and thoroughly review their existing physician non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. These agreements may need significant modifications to be in compliance with the new standards discussed above.

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