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 any arbitration proceeding or other method of alternative dispute resolution related to that outcome.

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 clarifies that the protection against admissibility does not extend to statements that explicitly admit fault, liability, negligence, or culpable conduct. Such statements, if made in conjunction with expressions of sympathy or apology, would still be admissible in court. Additionally, any statements made under this section can be used for other purposes outside of the context of liability. The act is set to take effect upon passage.