§ 5-31.1-9. Immunity from suit.
(a) The director of the department of health, dental administrator, board members, their agents or their employees are immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based upon any disciplinary proceeding or other official act performed in good faith in the course of their duties under this chapter. There is no civil liability on the part of, or cause of action of any nature against, the board, director, dental administrator, their agents, or their employees or against any organization or its members, peer-review board or its members, or other witnesses and parties to board proceedings for any statements made by them in any reports, communications, or testimony concerning an investigation of the conduct or competence of a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or limited registrant.
(b) No licensed healthcare provider, dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant shall discharge, threaten, or discriminate against an employee, staff member, or any other person for making a report to, giving testimony to, or providing any other communication to the board of examiners in dentistry, a peer-review organization, or any appropriate supervisory personnel concerning the unprofessional conduct or incompetence or negligence of a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant; provided, that the report, testimony, or other communication was made in good faith.
History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Section 5-31.1-1. - Definitions.
Section 5-31.1-2. - Board of examiners in dentistry — Members — Compensation — Funds.
Section 5-31.1-3. - Examining committees.
Section 5-31.1-4. - Powers and duties of the board of examiners in dentistry.
Section 5-31.1-5. - Power of the director.
Section 5-31.1-6. - License to practice — Qualifications of applicants — Fee — Reexamination.
Section 5-31.1-6.1. - Dental hygienists and dental assistants.
Section 5-31.1-7. - Recertification — Continuing dental education.
Section 5-31.1-8. - Refusal of licensure.
Section 5-31.1-9. - Immunity from suit.
Section 5-31.1-10. - Unprofessional conduct.
Section 5-31.1-11. - Complaints.
Section 5-31.1-12. - Specification of charges.
Section 5-31.1-13. - Time and notice of hearing.
Section 5-31.1-14. - Subpoenas — Contempt.
Section 5-31.1-15. - Report of hearing.
Section 5-31.1-16. - Decision of the board.
Section 5-31.1-17. - Sanctions.
Section 5-31.1-18. - Appeal from the decision of the director of the department of health.
Section 5-31.1-19. - Grounds for discipline without hearing.
Section 5-31.1-21. - Biennial registration.
Section 5-31.1-22. - Limited registrations.
Section 5-31.1-23. - Limited registration — Academic faculty — Fees.
Section 5-31.1-24. - Violations — Penalties.
Section 5-31.1-25. - Injunction of violations.
Section 5-31.1-26. - Severability.
Section 5-31.1-27. - Dental peer review.
Section 5-31.1-28. - Hospital disciplinary powers.
Section 5-31.1-29. - Privileges and immunities for peer review activities.
Section 5-31.1-30. - Licensure required — Dental assistants excepted.
Section 5-31.1-31. - Dental assistant — Definition — Practices allowed.
Section 5-31.1-32. - Disclosure of nonparticipation in dental insurance plans.
Section 5-31.1-33. - Employment of hygienists — Practices allowed.
Section 5-31.1-34. - Immunity from liability.
Section 5-31.1-35. - Penalty for violations generally — Evidence of unauthorized practice.
Section 5-31.1-36. - Liability of employers and accomplices.
Section 5-31.1-37. - Persons and practices exempt.
Section 5-31.1-38. - Advertising.
Section 5-31.1-39. - Public health hygienists.
Section 5-31.1-40. - Telemedicine in the practice of dentistry.