{"data":{"id":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-30-15-3","jurisdiction":"us-ri","citation":"R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-15-3","heading":"Definitions.","body":"As used in this chapter:\n(1) “Bioterrorism” means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant or other living organism;\n(2) “Disaster” means occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including, but not limited to:\n(i) Fire;\n(ii) Flood;\n(iii) Earthquake;\n(iv) Wind, storm, wave action, oil spill, or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage;\n(v) Volcanic activity;\n(vi) Epidemic;\n(vii) Air contamination;\n(viii) Blight;\n(ix) Drought;\n(x) Infestation;\n(xi) Explosion;\n(xii) Riots;\n(xiii) Hostile military or paramilitary action;\n(xiv) Endangerment of the health, safety, or resources of the people of the state;\n(xv) Acts of bioterrorism;\n(3) “Political subdivision” means any city or town in Rhode Island; and\n(4) “Unorganized militia” means all able-bodied persons between the ages of sixteen (16) and fifty (50) years.","path":["Title 30 Military Affairs and Defense","Chapter 15 Emergency Management"],"source_url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE30/30-15/30-15-3.htm","current_through":"site files published 2025-08-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T19:58:10Z","sha256":"c0d2c16b91c7aad7617bdea21f5e0b734a1972e7ef03f5067c898f645e5b1c20","source_id":"us-ri","stale":true,"prev":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-30-15-2","next":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-30-15-4"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}