AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Dimitri and 3 co-sponsors

The bill would shield mediators and staff in Rhode Island’s family court mediation program from most damages and legal costs for acts within their duties, unless conduct is wanton,

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of SB 2953 (Session 2026, Rhode Island)

Purpose and intent

The bill provides immunity from liability for mediators and other staff involved in Rhode Island’s family court mediation program.

Specifically, it shields these individuals from financial loss, legal fees, and related costs arising from acts or omissions within the scope of their duties in the mediation program, so long as their conduct is not wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent as determined by a court.

Key provisions

Adds a new section 9-1-27.4 to Chapter 9-1 (Causes of Action).

Text of provision:

“The state shall protect and hold harmless mediators and other staff of the family court mediation program from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, or suit for damages resulting from acts or omissions committed in the discharge of their duties with the program and within the scope of their employment which may constitute negligence, but which acts are not wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Mediators and other staff employed by the Rhode Island family court mediation program.

Individuals who might pursue civil claims for damages related to activities within the mediation program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in March 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee.

Schedule indicates potential consideration in late May 2026.

If enacted, immunity applies prospectively to acts within the scope of employment in the mediation program.

Immunity is conditioned on the absence of wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct as determined by a court.

Potential impact and considerations

Aims to encourage participation and candidness in family court mediation by reducing personal financial risk for mediators and staff.

Could influence civil liability landscape for mediation program participants, shifting some accountability to employers/government or to the court system for acts deemed grossly negligent or malicious.

May affect how disputes arising from mediation are litigated, including potential defenses or standards of review related to negligence in the mediation context.

Practical takeaways

If passed, mediators and staff would have statutory protection from certain damages, legal fees, and costs when acting within the mediation program, provided their conduct is not grossly negligent, wanton, or malicious.

The immunity would be determined by a court, meaning that claims would still be examinable for extreme misconduct, but routine negligence claims would be barred or limited.