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H8050 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Provides immunity for mediators and staff employed by the family court in the family court mediation program from financial liability for certain claims arising out of their participation in the program.)

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Provides immunity for mediators and staff employed by the family court in the family court mediation program from financial liability for certain claims arising out of their participation in the program.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
McEntee, Caldwell, Spears, O'Brien, Potter
Last action
2026-04-14
Official status
House read and passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-14 House

    House read and passed

  2. 2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Placed on House Calendar (04/14/2026)

  3. 2026-04-09 Committee

    Committee recommends passage

  4. 2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for consideration (04/09/2026)

  5. 2026-03-10 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  6. 2026-03-06 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/10/2026)

  7. 2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Provides immunity for mediators and staff employed by the family court in the family court mediation program from financial liability for certain claims arising out of their participation in the program.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H8050

2026 -- H 8050
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LC005103
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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:
Representatives McEntee, Caldwell, Spears, O'Brien, and Potter

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
(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

9-1-27.4. Family court mediators - Immunity from liability.

4

The state shall protect and hold harmless mediators and other staff of the family court
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mediation program from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising
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out of any claim, demand, or suit for damages resulting from acts or omissions committed in the
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discharge of their duties with the program and within the scope of their employment which may
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constitute negligence, but which acts are not wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent as determined
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by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005103
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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 immunity for mediators and staff employed by the family court in
2
the family court mediation program from financial liability for certain claims arising out of their
3
participation in the program.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005103
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