§ 23-28.2-17. Relief from responsibility.
The state fire marshal, his or her deputies, and assistants, charged with the enforcement of the Fire Safety Code and the director of the fire academy and his or her instructors charged with fire education and training as governed by, chapters 28.1 through 28.39 of this title, shall not render themselves liable personally, and they are hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of their official duties. Any suit instituted against any officer or employee because of an act performed by him or her in the lawful discharge of his or her duties, and under the provisions of the Fire Safety Code and the fire education and training unit, shall be defended by the legal representative of the state until the final termination of the proceedings. In no case shall the fire marshal, his or her deputies, or assistants, the fire academy director or his or her instructors be liable for costs in any action, suit, or proceedings that may be instituted in pursuance of the provisions of the Fire Safety Code or the fire education and training unit, and any fire marshal or fire academy instructor, acting in good faith and without malice, shall be free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of his or her official duties in connection therewith. The protection afforded herein to the Rhode Island fire academy instructors shall apply only to those instructors who are active or retired members of a paid or volunteer Rhode Island fire department.
History of Section.P.L. 1975, ch. 165, § 12; P.L. 2013, ch. 292, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 373, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-28.2 - Office of State Fire Marshal
Section 23-28.2-1. - Establishment of office of the state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-2. - Qualifications of state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-3. - Removal of state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-4. - Duties and responsibilities of state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-5. - Bomb disposal unit.
Section 23-28.2-6. - Additional powers and duties of fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-7. - Office of state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-8. - Clerical assistance and office supplies.
Section 23-28.2-9. - Nonsalaried assistant deputy state fire marshals.
Section 23-28.2-10. - Reports of fires.
Section 23-28.2-11. - Investigation of fires and attempted fires.
Section 23-28.2-12. - Witnesses in investigations.
Section 23-28.2-13. - Reports of investigations.
Section 23-28.2-14. - Enforcement.
Section 23-28.2-15. - Assistance by attorney general — Prosecution of violations.
Section 23-28.2-16. - Fire records kept by the state fire marshal.
Section 23-28.2-17. - Relief from responsibility.
Section 23-28.2-18. - Administrative procedures.
Section 23-28.2-19. - Municipal cooperation.
Section 23-28.2-20. - Right of entry.
Section 23-28.2-20.1. - Notices of violation.
Section 23-28.2-21. - National Fire Code.
Section 23-28.2-22. - Fire education and training unit.
Section 23-28.2-23. - Fire education and training coordinating board.
Section 23-28.2-24. - Burn injury reporting law.
Section 23-28.2-25. - Repealed.
Section 23-28.2-26. - Plan review fees.
Section 23-28.2-27. - Inspection fees.
Section 23-28.2-28. - Rhode Island state firefighter’s league grant account.
Section 23-28.2-29. - Fire academy training fees restricted receipt account.