AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURES -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION (Strengthens consumer protections in insurance claims by improving the fairness and timeliness of arbitration and appraisal proceedings, and preventing insurers from delaying or obstructing the dispute resolution process.)

S2312

2026 -- S 2312
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LC003906
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURES -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR
ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION

Introduced By:
Senators Appollonio, Thompson, Dimitri, Famiglietti, and Britto

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Sections 10-3-6 and 10-3-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 10-3 entitled
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"Arbitration" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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10-3-6. Judicial appointment of arbitrators.
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(a)
If, in the agreement, provision is made for a method of naming or appointing an
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arbitrator or arbitrators or an umpire, the method shall be followed; but if no method is provided in
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the agreement, or if a method is provided and any party thereto shall fail to avail himself or herself
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of such method, or if for any other reason there shall be a lapse in the naming of an arbitrator or
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arbitrators or an umpire, or in filling a vacancy, then, upon the application of either party to the
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controversy, the court, as described in § 10-3-4, shall designate and appoint an arbitrator or
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arbitrators or umpire, as the case may require, who shall act under the agreement with the same
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force and effect as if he, she, or they had been specifically named in the agreement; and, unless
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otherwise provided in the agreement, the arbitration shall be by a single arbitrator.
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(b) The court shall appoint an arbitrator, appraiser, or umpire under this section upon a
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showing that any party has failed, refused, or neglected to make a required appointment under the
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agreement, or has otherwise caused an unreasonable delay in the naming or selection thereof.
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Where the agreement contemplates that each party shall appoint an arbitrator or appraiser and that
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the two (2) so appointed shall thereafter select an umpire or third arbitrator, the court shall, upon
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application, appoint both an arbitrator or appraiser on behalf of the non-complying party and an

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umpire or third arbitrator if necessary, to ensure that the arbitration or appraisal may proceed.
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Judicial appointment under this section shall not be withheld on the ground that one party has failed
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to make an appointment required by the agreement. The purpose of judicial appointment under this
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section is to ensure that arbitration or appraisal proceedings proceed expeditiously and without
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prejudice to the party that has complied with the agreement.
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10-3-15. Notice of motion to vacate, modify, or correct award.
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Notice of a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an award must be served upon the adverse
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party or his or her attorney within
sixty (60)

thirty (30)
days after the award is filed or delivered,
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and before the award is confirmed, as prescribed by law for service of notice of a motion in an
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action at law. The court may make an order, to be served with the notice of the motion, staying the
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proceedings of the adverse party to enforce the award.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURES -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR
ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION
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This act would strengthen consumer protections in insurance claims by improving the
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fairness and timeliness of arbitration and appraisal proceedings, and preventing insurers from
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delaying or obstructing the dispute resolution process by allowing the court to resolve appraisal
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and arbitration disputes to provide an equitable remedy to the aggrieved party.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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