Expands the statute of limitations with respect to any wrongful act resulting in the death of a child in utero or within six (6) months after the birth of the child, to ten (10) years after the death of the child.

Plain-English Summary

This bill changes the rules about how long a family has to file a lawsuit when a child dies as a result of someone else's wrongful actions. Specifically, it applies to two situations: the death of an unborn child (while still in the womb) or the death of a newborn within the first six months after birth. Under this bill, families would have 10 years from the date of the child's death to bring a legal claim.

Currently, Rhode Island law sets a shorter window of time — called a "statute of limitations" — for filing these types of lawsuits. The statute of limitations is essentially a legal deadline; if you miss it, you generally lose the right to sue, even if you have a strong case. This bill would significantly extend that deadline to 10 years specifically for cases involving the death of an unborn child or a very young infant due to someone else's wrongful conduct, such as medical malpractice or negligence.

The families most directly affected would be those who have experienced the loss of an unborn child or an infant and believe that loss was caused by another party's wrongdoing. The extended timeframe would give grieving families more time to come to terms with their loss, gather evidence, consult with attorneys, and decide whether to pursue legal action. The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.