The bill amends Section 10-7-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 10-7, which pertains to actions for death by wrongful act. It specifies that actions must be brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased, with the recovery amount divided between the spouse and children, or directed to the next of kin if there are no immediate family members. Individuals who are in willful contempt for failing to pay child support for the deceased will be barred from recovery and considered to have predeceased the child for distribution purposes.

Additionally, the bill expands the statute of limitations for wrongful death actions related to a child in utero or within six months of birth, allowing such actions to be initiated within ten years after the child's death. This change aims to provide a longer timeframe for families to seek justice in cases of wrongful death involving infants. The bill will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5661: 10-7-2