§ 5-1-16. Architects rendering assistance during disaster emergency — Immunity from civil liability.
(a)(1) An architect or architectural firm, duly licensed to practice in Rhode Island under
this chapter, who or that voluntarily and without compensation provides architectural
services at the scene of a disaster emergency is not liable for any personal injury,
wrongful death, property damage, or other loss or damages caused by an act or omission
of the architect or architectural firm in performing the services.
(2) An architect or architectural firm, duly licensed to practice in Rhode Island under
this chapter, who or that voluntarily and without compensation provides architectural
services at the scene of a disaster emergency and all authorized disaster response
workers who shall, in the course of performing their duties as such, practice professional,
architecture, mechanical, engineering or other skill during a disaster emergency,
in the absence of benefits provided by law, shall be entitled to all rights in like
manner as state employees under the provisions of chapters 29 — 38 of title 28, and
under the provisions of § 9-31-8.
(b) As used in this section, "disaster emergency� means a disaster emergency declared
by executive order or proclamation of the governor pursuant to chapter 15 of title 30.
(c) The immunity provided in subsection (a) of this section applies only to the practice
of architecture as defined in this chapter regarding an architectural service that:
(1) Concerns any building, structure, or system, whether publicly or privately owned,
that is identified pursuant to a disaster emergency executive order or proclamation;
(2) Relates to the structural integrity of the entire building, structure, or system,
or any portion of the structure or system, or to a nonstructural element of the structure
or system, affecting public safety; and
(3) Is rendered during the time in which a state of disaster emergency exists, as provided
in chapter 15 of title 30.
(d) The immunity granted by this section shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting
gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(e) In the event that the governor of Rhode Island declares a state disaster, all registered
architects with a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification
will be allowed to practice for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the
declared disaster.