The bill amends Section 30-15-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-15, titled "Emergency Management," to provide that any authorized disaster response worker, while performing their duties, shall be considered a state employee. This designation entitles them to all rights similar to those of 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 also states that in the absence of any other benefits provided by law, disaster response workers who practice professional, mechanical, engineering, or other skills during a disaster emergency will be recognized as state employees. Furthermore, the act clarifies that disaster response activities are governmental functions, providing immunity from liability for the state and disaster response workers, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.

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