COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION, the official text

S3193 2026 -- S 3193 ======== LC005226 ======== 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 -- CAUSES OF ACTION Introduced By: Senators LaMountain, Burke, Famiglietti, Bissaillon, and Dimitri Date Introduced: April 03, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled Causes of Action is hereby 2 amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 9-1-55. Punitive damages in civil actions. 4 (a) In any civil action including, but not limited to, causes of action brought under chapter 5 7 of title 10 ( death by wrongful act ), the plaintiff may receive an award for punitive damages if 6 evidence is submitted showing the actions of the defendant constitute willful or wanton conduct or 7 that the defendant acted with reckless disregard for the health safety and welfare of persons who 8 foreseeably might be harmed by said reckless, willful or wanton conduct. 9 (b) For purposes of this section and its application to any civil action, willful or wanton 10 conduct means conduct committed which the actor knew or should have known was dangerous or 11 was done heedlessly and recklessly and without regard to consequences or the rights and safety of 12 others. 13 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005226 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION *** 1 This act would provide for punitive damages in civil actions where there is willful or 2 wanton conduct or a reckless disregard for health, safety and welfare. 3 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005226 ======== LC005226 - Page 2 of 2