Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 31-27 - Motor Vehicle Offenses
Section 31-27-2.9. - Administration of chemical test.

§ 31-27-2.9. Administration of chemical test.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of § 31-27-2.1, if an individual refuses to consent to a chemical test as provided in § 31-27-2.1, and a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, has probable cause to believe that the individual has violated one or more of the following sections: 31-27-1, 31-27-1.1, 31-27-2.2, or 31-27-2.6 and that the individual was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, toluene or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 21-28, or any combination thereof, a chemical test may be administered without the consent of that individual provided that the peace officer first obtains a search warrant authorizing administration of the chemical test. The chemical test shall determine the amount of the alcohol or the presence of a controlled substance in that person’s blood, saliva or breath.
(b) The chemical test shall be administered in accordance with the methods approved by the director of the department of health as provided for in subdivision 31-27-2(c)(4). The individual shall be afforded the opportunity to have an additional chemical test as established in subdivision 31-27-2(c)(6).
(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, including, but not limited to, chapter 5-37.3, any health care provider who, as authorized by the search warrant in subsection (a):
(i) Takes a blood, saliva or breath sample from an individual; or
(ii) Performs the chemical test; or
(iii) Provides information to a peace officer pursuant to subsection (a) above and who uses reasonable care and accepted medical practices shall not be liable in any civil or criminal proceeding arising from the taking of the sample, from the performance of the chemical test or from the disclosure or release of the test results.
(d) The results of a chemical test performed pursuant to this section shall be admissible as competent evidence in any civil or criminal prosecution provided that evidence is presented in compliance with the conditions set forth in subdivisions 31-27-2(c)(3), 31-27-2(c)(4) and 31-27-2(c)(6).
(e) All chemical tests administered pursuant to this section shall be audio and video recorded by the law enforcement agency which applied for and was granted the search warrant authorizing the administration of the chemical test.
History of Section.P.L. 2009, ch. 210, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 211, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 31, § 12, effective May 25, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 32, § 12, effective May 25, 2022.

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