Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 31.1
Dentists and Dental Hygienists

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-31.1-9

§ 5-31.1-9. Immunity from suit.

(a) The director of the department of health, dental administrator, board members, their agents or their employees are immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based upon any disciplinary proceeding or other official act performed in good faith in the course of their duties under this chapter. There is no civil liability on the part of, or cause of action of any nature against, the board, director, dental administrator, their agents, or their employees or against any organization or its members, peer-review board or its members, or other witnesses and parties to board proceedings for any statements made by them in any reports, communications, or testimony concerning an investigation of the conduct or competence of a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or limited registrant.

(b) No licensed healthcare provider, dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant shall discharge, threaten, or discriminate against an employee, staff member, or any other person for making a report to, giving testimony to, or providing any other communication to the board of examiners in dentistry, a peer-review organization, or any appropriate supervisory personnel concerning the unprofessional conduct or incompetence or negligence of a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant; provided, that the report, testimony, or other communication was made in good faith.

History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.