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 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 the attorney general).

The bill clarifies that disaster response workers are not required to hold licenses for practicing professional, mechanical, engineering, or other skills during disaster emergencies. It also provides that, in the absence of any other benefits as provided by law, any and all authorized disaster response workers who practice such skills during a disaster emergency shall be entitled to the same rights and benefits as state employees. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

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