Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island S2978: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW (Provides that advanced practice registered nurses have the same immunity from liability as physicians and surgeons.)
Status: Signed into law, June 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, March 4, 2026:
2026 -- S 2978 ======== LC004967 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW Introduced By: Senators Lauria, DiMario, Felag, Urso, Pearson, Vargas, LaMountain, DiPalma, and Murray Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary (Dept. of BHDDH) It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Section 40.1-5-41 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-5 entitled "Mental Health Law" is hereby amended to read as follows: 40.1-5-41. Immunity of physicians and surgeons from liability Immunity from liability. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to contravene the provisions of § 5-37-14, and no physician or surgeon advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensed to practice in this state, or having a privilege to practice in this state, and having met the requirements either of the statute or of this chapter, shall be made to answer in any court for his or her participation in any proceeding under this chapter except upon a showing of actual fraud or gross, willful or wanton negligence; provided further, that no physician or surgeon APRN shall be made to answer in any court for any damage or injury to any person or thing arising out of a patient's enjoyment and/or exercise of rights protected by this chapter including, …
Sponsors
- Pamela Lauria (D, SD-032) · primary sponsor
- DiMario, Alana (D, SD-036)
- Walter Felag (D, SD-010)
- Lori Urso (D, SD-008)
- Ryan Pearson (D, SD-019)
- Lammis Vargas (D, SD-028)
- Matthew LaMountain (D, SD-031)
- DiPalma, Louis (D, SD-012)
- Melissa Murray (D, SD-024)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : House passed in concurrence
- : Placed on the House Consent Calendar
- : Senate read and passed
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Votes
- House Seq #319: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 8, 2026): 69 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Seq #350: (June 3, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage (May 28, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage (May 7, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS
Common questions
- What is S2978?
- S2978 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW (Provides that advanced practice registered nurses have the same immunity from liability as physicians and surgeons.).
- What is the status of S2978?
- Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2978?
- Pamela Lauria (D, SD-032), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2978?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2978.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.