The bill amends Section 30-15-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-15, titled "Emergency Management," to enhance the legal protections and rights of disaster response workers. It establishes that any authorized disaster response worker, while performing their duties, shall be considered a state employee and shall be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees under the provisions of chapters 29 through 38 of title 28 ("workers compensation") and under 9-31-8 ("defense of state employees by attorney general").

In the absence of any other benefits as provided by law, the bill clarifies that disaster response workers who practice professional, mechanical, engineering, or other skills during a disaster emergency will be granted immunity from liability, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith. The act is set to take effect upon passage, reinforcing the support and protection for individuals engaged in disaster response efforts.

Statutes affected:
5157: 30-15-15
5157  SUB A: 30-15-15