Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-19.8 - Hazardous Waste Cleanup
Section 23-19.8-3. - Exemption from liability.

§ 23-19.8-3. Exemption from liability.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no qualified or trained person who provides assistance or advice in mitigating the effects of an accidental or threatened discharge of hazardous materials, or in preventing, cleaning up, or disposing of the discharge, shall be subject to civil liabilities or penalties of any type when responding voluntarily and at the request of:
(1) A governmental agency;
(2) The person responsible for any discharge;
(3) The person responsible for preventing, cleaning up, or disposing of any discharge; or
(4) The agent or authorized representative of any federal and/or state agency or person.
(b) The exemption set forth in this section shall apply to oil spill pollution prevention activities and/or activities dedicated to the containment, clean up or abatement of hazardous materials.
(c) The exemptions to liabilities set forth in this section shall apply to any city or town fire department, fire district, volunteer fire association or their hazardous materials and/or decontamination teams or representatives from the Rhode Island department of environmental management.
(d) The exemptions from liability provided by this subsection shall not apply if the person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct as further defined in § 23-19.8-6.
History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 148, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 118, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 127, § 1.

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