The bill amends Chapter 9-19 of the General Laws concerning "Evidence" by introducing a new section, 9-19-45, which addresses the admissibility of statements made by healthcare providers in the context of unanticipated medical outcomes. Specifically, it stipulates that any expressions of apology, benevolence, commiseration, condolence, compassion, regret, sympathy, or a general sense of concern made by healthcare providers, their employees, or agents to patients or their relatives regarding an unanticipated outcome will be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest in any claim, complaint, or civil action, as well as in arbitration proceedings or other methods of alternative dispute resolution related to the claim.

The bill defines key terms such as "healthcare facility," "healthcare provider," "relative," "representative," and "unanticipated outcome" to clarify the scope of its application. It also specifies that while expressions of sympathy and concern are inadmissible, any statements that explicitly acknowledge fault, liability, negligence, or culpable conduct are not protected under this provision. This means that healthcare providers can express compassion without fear of it being used against them in legal proceedings, provided they do not admit to fault. The act is set to take effect upon passage.