Rhode Island General Laws 5-37.3-9. Penalties – Attorney’s fees for violations
(a) Civil Penalties. Anyone who violates the provisions of this chapter may be held liable for actual and exemplary damages.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-37.3-9
- Confidential healthcare information: means all information relating to a patient's healthcare history, diagnosis, condition, treatment, or evaluation obtained from a healthcare provider who has treated the patient. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-37.3-3
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
(b) Criminal Penalties. Anyone who intentionally and knowingly violates the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(c) Commission of Crime. The civil and criminal penalties in this section shall also be applicable to anyone who obtains confidential healthcare information through the commission of a crime.
(d) Attorney’s Fees. Attorney’s fees may be awarded, at the discretion of the court, to the successful party in any action under this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 297, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 5-37.3-8; P.L. 1982, ch. 356, § 1.