S3197 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSE OF ACTION (Permits a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney by electronic means.)

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Dimitri, Patalano, LaMountain, Famiglietti, Appollonio, Thompson
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSE OF ACTION (Permits a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney by electronic means.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSE OF ACTION (Permits a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney by electronic means.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-16 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/16/2026)
2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSE OF ACTION (Permits a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney by electronic means.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S3197

2026 -- S 3197
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LC005220
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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 PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSE OF ACTION

Introduced By:
Senators Dimitri, Patalano, LaMountain, Famiglietti, Appollonio, and
Thompson

Date Introduced:
April 03, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 9-1-50 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-1 entitled "Causes of
2
Action" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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9-1-50. Settled claims not paid within thirty (30) days.
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(a) Whenever any claim is settled, the insurance company, adjusting company, or any other
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person, firm, or corporation responsible for paying the settlement shall make payment within thirty
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(30) days from the date the claimant or the claimant’s attorney sends the release.
The signed release
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may be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney in electronic
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format.
The signed release may be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or
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their attorney in electronic format. Failure to make payment within thirty (30) days shall raise a
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presumption that failure to do so was a willful and wanton disregard for the rights of the claimant.
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In addition to all other remedies, the payor shall be liable to the claimant in a separate cause of
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action for punitive damages and interest which shall be computed at the rate of twelve percent
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(12%) per annum from the date the cause of action giving rise to the settlement occurred until the
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judgment on the claim brought pursuant to this section is entered.
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(b) Any claim brought under the provisions of this section shall be given a priority on the
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trial calendar.

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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 PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSE OF ACTION
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This act would permit a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying
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the settlement or their attorney by electronic means.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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