Rhode Island

Certain emergency responders, who, voluntarily and without compensation, provide emergency care, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if they act with extreme carelessness or with intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

A firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician who, in good faith and without compensation, provides emergency treatment, rescue, or transport assistance at the scene of an accident or emergency or while en route to a health care center will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. Click to Learn More

An individual who, in response to a disaster, participates in the removal of debris or wreckage following authorization by the governor or political subdivision, will not be held legally responsible for injury, death, or damage to property. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

An individual, who, voluntarily and without compensation, allows the use of their land to be used as shelter during an emergency training activity or during an actual disaster, will not be held legally responsible for injury, death, or damage to property. They can be held legally responsible for acting with extreme carelessness or with intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, an architect who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides architectural services will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

An individual, who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency assistance or life saving treatment, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a physician assistant from any state who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. The physician assistant can provide medical care during a declared emergency without physician supervision, if it is not available. Click to Learn More

A physician, who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in a non-medical setting, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if they act with extreme carelessness or with intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

A physician assistant who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in a non-medical setting, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, an engineer who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides engineering services will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

A nurse, who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in a non-medical setting, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if they act with extreme carelessness or with intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

A disaster response worker, who attempts to comply with an official emergency order, will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

A veterinarian who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency veterinary assistance to an animal in need will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. The veterinarian can be held legally responsible if they act with extreme carelessness. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

A dentist or dental hygienist who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in an area that is not a hospital, dentist’s office, or clinic will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

An individual, who, without compensation, provides training or emergency care using CPR or an AED will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. A physician medical director will not be held legally responsible for directing the use of an AED. This liability protection only applies if the individual received CPR or AED training based on guidelines issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a land surveyor who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides land surveying services will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

An individual who administers or fails to administer epinephrine to an individual will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

An emergency medical services provider who provides services within the scope of their training outside of a hospital will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a law enforcement officer, who responds to a request for mutual aid in a city or town bordering Rhode Island, will have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities as they would have in their hometown. A law enforcement officer who responds to the request for mutual aid is entitled to workers' compensation. Click to Learn More

A firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who, in good faith and without compensation, provides first aid, emergency treatment, or rescue assistance at the scene of an emergency or while en route to a hospital from an emergency will not be held legally responsible for acting or failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

A dentist or dental hygienist who holds an out-of-state license to practice can obtain a volunteer permit to provide free services in Rhode Island without complying with licensure requirements. The dentist or dental hygienist must submit an application to the Board of Examiners in Dentistry in order to obtain the permit. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a disaster response worker does not need to comply with Rhode Island licensing requirements to practice. Click to Learn More

A retired physician can obtain a volunteer license to practice medicine, without compensation, at a charitable organization for under- or uninsured patients. Click to Learn More

A physician, who is licensed in good standing in another state, can practice medicine in Rhode Island for up to 7 days if they are working as an unpaid volunteer physician. Click to Learn More

A psychologist licensed in another state can perform psychological services without a Rhode Island license for up to 10 days per year, 5 days of which can be consecutive. Click to Learn More

An architect who holds a certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) can practice up to 90 days following the declaration of a state of disaster. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a licensed physician assistant can provide voluntary emergency medical assistance without the required physician supervision. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a law enforcement officer, who responds to a request for mutual aid in a city or town bordering Rhode Island, will have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities as they would have in their hometown. A law enforcement officer who responds to the request for mutual aid is entitled to workers' compensation. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a physician assistant from any state who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. The physician assistant can provide medical care during a declared emergency without physician supervision, if it is not available. Click to Learn More

A pharmacist can dispense a one-time emergency refill (up to a 72 hour supply) if they believe there is an urgent need, the medication is not a controlled substance, and the prescriber is notified of the emergency dispensing within a reasonable amount of time. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a licensed physician assistant can provide voluntary emergency medical assistance without the required physician supervision. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a law enforcement officer, who responds to a request for mutual aid in a city or town bordering Rhode Island, will have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities as they would have in their hometown. A law enforcement officer who responds to the request for mutual aid is entitled to workers' compensation. Click to Learn More

Upon request from the American Red Cross and supervisor approval, a state employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer can obtain paid leave from their place of employment for up to 10 days per year to participate in specialized disaster relief services with the American Red Cross. They will not lose seniority, pay, vacation time, compensatory time, personal business leave, sick leave, or earned overtime as a result of volunteering. This section only applies to a declared disaster in Rhode Island. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a law enforcement officer, who responds to a request for mutual aid in a city or town bordering Rhode Island, will have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities as they would have in their hometown. A law enforcement officer who responds to the request for mutual aid is entitled to workers' compensation. Click to Learn More