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SB 2729

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sue Sosnowski

The bill limits the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees’ tort liability (capped at $100,000 per action) and sets strict claim procedures.

05/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2729

Overview

SB 2729 (Rhode Island, 2026) would amend the University of Rhode Island’s governance framework to address tort liability and related matters. The bill introduces a specific set of limitations on damages and claims against the URI Board of Trustees, clarifies liability standards, and requires a feasibility study related to the university’s nuclear reactor operations.

Main purpose and intent

  • Limit and define tort liability for the Board of Trustees of the University of Rhode Island.
  • Establish procedural requirements for presenting claims against the board.
  • Impose a state-funded feasibility study regarding the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) and the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission (RIAEC), including potential state-funded recommendations and university oversight options.

Key provisions and changes

  1. 16-32-43. Tort claims against the board of trustees

    • Defines terms:
      • “Board of trustees” includes URI and its employees within scope of employment.
      • “Employee” includes officers, employees, or servants (excluded: independent contractors).
      • “Injury” covers death, personal injury, property damage, or other actionable injuries.
    • Liability standards:
      • The board is liable only within the confines of this chapter and for injuries proximately caused by an employee within the scope of employment, excluding acts of actual fraud, malice, or willful misconduct.
      • Immunities and defenses available to private parties apply to the board.
      • For injuries caused by dangerous conditions on public property, liability requires a showing of dangerous condition, proximate cause, foreseeability, and willful/malicious failure to guard or warn; actions to protect against the condition must not be palpably unreasonable.
    • Joint tortfeasor framework:
      • If the board is a joint tortfeasor, liability is limited to the damages recoverable under the chapter.
      • If multiple tortfeasors, the board’s liability is capped at a proportionate share of negligence.
    • Presentation of claims:
      • Claims must be filed following prescribed notice procedures.
      • Requirements for a claim include claimant details, description of injury, and amount claimed, with a 90-day accrual window and a 6-month period after notice to file suit.
      • Statutory bars include: failure to file within 90 days, 3-year statute of limitations, or settlement.
      • Minor or mentally incapacitated individuals have extended timelines.
    • Damages and interest:
      • No pre-judgment interest; no punitive/exemplary damages.
      • Pain and suffering damages limited, with exceptions for permanent loss of bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment.
      • Total damages capped at $100,000 in any tort action against the board.
    • Other provisions:
      • Waivers/assumptions of liability do not apply where another party assumes liability to the extent of that assumption.
      • The chapter does not alter contract-based liability or other relief outside damages.
      • Workers’ compensation law remains unaffected.

  2. 16-32-46. Feasibility study related to RINSC and RIAEC

    • The board, in collaboration with state entities and interested parties, must coordinate a feasibility study of ongoing operations at the RINSC and the RIAEC.
    • Goals include evaluating continued operation feasibility and the university’s potential oversight of some or all continued operations.
    • State funding would cover the study, with resulting recommendations.

Who/what would be affected

  • The University of Rhode Island and its Board of Trustees, including its employees (as defined).
  • Individuals who might pursue tort claims arising from injuries on URI property or due to URI actions.
  • The Rhode Island state government through funding and oversight of the proposed feasibility study concerning the RINSC and RIAEC.
  • Potential stakeholders in nuclear research operations and campus-related safety considerations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Upon passage.
  • Claims process: 90-day filing requirement from accrual, 6 months after notice to file suit, with a 3-year overall limit and other standard bar provisions.
  • Damages cap: $100,000 per tort action against the board.
  • Feasibility study: To be conducted by the board in partnership with state entities; funded by the state, with recommendations on operational feasibility and potential university oversight.

Observations

  • The bill significantly tightens liability and damages exposure for URI’s board, aligning with a more limited tort liability regime.
  • It adds a formal, time-bound notice process for claims, potentially accelerating dispute resolution.
  • The feasibility study component signals legislative interest in reassessing the long-term role and oversight of URI’s nuclear-related facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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