2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-63.1 - Reporting of Sexual Misconduct by Mental Health Professionals
§ 5-63.1-2 - Reports of sexual contact.

SECTION 5-63.1-2

   § 5-63.1-2  Reports of sexual contact. – (a) If a mental health professional has reasonable cause to suspect that a patient he or she has seen in the course of professional duties is a victim of sexual contact by another mental health professional or a person who holds himself or herself out to be a mental health professional, as soon thereafter as practicable the mental health professional shall ask the patient if he or she wants to make a report or wants the mental health professional to make a report under this section. If the patient wants the mental health professional to make the report, the patient shall provide the mental health professional with written consent to report.

   (b) Within thirty (30) days after a patient consents under subsection (a) of this section to a report, the mental health professional shall report the suspected activity to:

   (1) The professional's board of licensing, certification, registration, or equivalent oversight authority, if the reporter believes the subject of the report is licensed or certified by the state;

   (2) In the case of state employees, to the governing agency of the state employee; or

   (3) The attorney general's office if subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection are not applicable.

   (c) A report under this section shall contain only information that is necessary to identify the reporter and subject and to express the suspicion that sexual contact has occurred.

   (d) Any person required to make a written report under this section who fails to do so shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be subject to discipline by the appropriate licensing board of registration or equivalent oversight authority. Unlicensed mental health professionals shall be referred to the attorney general's office.

   (e) The attorney general shall establish, within the office's budget, a restricted receipts account for the limited purpose of receiving and retaining the fines assessed under the provisions of this chapter. These funds shall be retained in the restricted receipts account to be used exclusively for programs established by the state and any subdivisions of the state, or established by any municipality, for the purpose of assisting victims of sexual misconduct that is perpetrated by mental health professionals.