Rhode Island § 23-17-30 - Licensing of Healthcare Facilities

§ 23-17-30. Blood or tissue transfer services.

(a) The procurement, processing, distribution, or use of whole blood, plasma, blood products, blood derivatives, and other human tissues such as corneas, bones, or organs for the purpose of injecting, transfusing, or transplanting any of them into the human body is declared to be, for all purposes, the rendition of a service by every person participating in the rendition of that service and, whether or not any remuneration is paid for the service, is declared not to be a sale of whole blood, plasma, blood products, blood derivatives, or other tissues, for any purpose. No health care facility, professional, or other person or organization involved in the procurement, processing, distribution, or use of whole blood, plasma, blood products, or blood derivatives for the purpose of injecting or transfusing any of them into the human body shall be liable for damages resulting from these activities except for his or her own negligence or willful misconduct.

(b) No hospital, nonprofit tissue bank, physician, nurse, or other medical personnel acting under the supervision and direction of a physician involved in the procurement, processing, distribution, or use of human tissues such as corneas, bones, or organs for the purpose of transplanting any of them into the human body shall be liable for damages resulting from those activities except for negligence or willful misconduct by that hospital, nonprofit tissue bank, physician, nurse, or other medical personnel.