The bill amends Section 5-1-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-1, titled "Architects," to provide immunity from civil liability to architects and architectural firms that voluntarily and without compensation provide architectural services during a disaster emergency in Rhode Island. The immunity applies to personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or other losses caused by acts or omissions while performing these services. The bill specifies that the immunity is only for the practice of architecture as defined in the chapter and is limited to services related to the structural integrity of buildings, structures, or systems identified in a disaster emergency executive order or proclamation. The immunity does not cover gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Additionally, the bill includes a new provision that architects and architectural firms, as well as other authorized disaster response workers who provide services during a disaster emergency, will be considered state employees and entitled to the same rights as state employees under certain provisions of the law. This includes the absence of benefits provided by law. The bill also states that in the event of a declared state disaster, all registered architects with a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification will be allowed to practice for 90 days from the date of the disaster declaration. The act will take effect upon passage.