Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
H7215 2026 -- H 7215 ======== LC003860 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- GOVERNMENTAL TORT LIABILITY Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Kazarian, Place, Morales, Quattrocchi, Alzate, Tanzi, Hull, Fogarty, and Kislak Date Introduced: January 21, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Sections 9-31-2 and 9-31-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-31 entitled 2 Governmental Tort Liability are hereby amended to read as follows: 3 9-31-2. Limitations of damages — State. 4 In any tort action against the state of Rhode Island or any political subdivision thereof, any 5 damages recovered therein shall not exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); 6 provided, however, that in all instances in which the state was engaged in a proprietary function in 7 the commission of the tort, or in any situation whereby the state has agreed to indemnify the federal 8 government or any agency thereof for any tort liability, the limitation on damages set forth in this 9 section shall not apply that all claims of willful and malicious conduct, or extreme recklessness 10 shall not be subject to a limitation on damages. The State of Rhode Island shall not be subject to 11 the provisions of § 9-21-10 . 12 9-31-3. Limitation of damages — Cities, towns, and fire districts. 13 In any tort action against any city or town or any fire district, any damages recovered 14 therein shall not exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); provided, however, 15 that in all instances in which the city or town or fire district was engaged in a proprietary function 16 in the commission of the tort, the limitation of damages set forth in this section shall not apply that 17 all claims of willful and malicious conduct, or extreme recklessness shall not be subject to a 18 limitation on damages. Any city or town or any fire district shall not be subject to the provisions of 1 § 9-21-10 . 2 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003860 ======== LC003860 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- GOVERNMENTAL TORT LIABILITY *** 1 This act would cap damages at $100,000 in tort actions against Rhode Island, cities, towns, 2 or fire districts, except for willful misconduct or extreme recklessness. It also exempts them from 3 § 9-21-10. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003860 ======== LC003860 - Page 3 of 3
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