R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-26 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-26
§ 42-56-26. Additional time allowed for meritorious service.
Status: in_force

Prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for violations of offenses identified in § 42-56-24(a) and (b) shall be eligible to have deducted from his or her sentence up to three (3) days per month up to a maximum of thirty-six (36) days per year, when in the determination of the director, or the directors designee, an inmate has performed heroic acts affecting the lives and welfare of the institutional personnel, inmates, or the general public, or when an inmate has submitted extraordinary and useful ideas and plans that have been implemented for the benefit of the state resulting in substantial savings and/or a higher degree of efficiency or performance while participating in and completing academic or vocational education programs, or when an inmate has submitted useful ideas concerning academic or vocational programs which have been implemented at the adult correctional institutions. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive a prisoner of time already accumulated or deducted prior to May 8, 1974.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-160-6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-160 / Section 42-160-6
§ 42-160-6. Establishment of restricted receipt account.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created within the general fund of the state a restricted receipt account entitled or to be known as Pay for Success. The account shall be housed within the budget of the executive office of health and human services and shall be utilized to record all receipts and program expenditures associated with this chapter. All such monies deposited shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of § 35-4-27.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-155-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-155 / Section 42-155-1
§ 42-155-1. Title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Quasi-Public Corporations Accountability and Transparency Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-146-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-146 / Section 42-146-2
§ 42-146-2. Terms of office  Chairperson.
Status: in_force

The members shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years except that of the three (3) members originally appointed by each of the appointing authorities; one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, and one for a term of three (3) years. The members shall annually elect one of them as chairperson of the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-20 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-20
§ 42-56-20. Care and employment of short-term prisoners.
Status: in_force

In the case of any person sentenced to imprisonment in the adult correctional institutions for a term of one year or less, the person shall be classified and placed in any custodial care and employment that shall be deemed appropriate by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-35 / Section 42-35-2
§ 42-35-2. Required agency publication and recordkeeping.
Status: in_force

(a) An agency shall:

(1) Publish and make available for public inspection a description of its organization, stating the general course and method of its operations and the methods by which the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests;

(2) Publish and make available for public inspection a description of all procedures, including a description of all forms and instructions used by the agency;

(3) Publish and make available for public inspection a description of the process for application for a license, available benefits, or other matters for which an application is appropriate on its agency website, unless the process is prescribed by law other than this chapter;

(4) Publish rules for the conduct of public hearings, and make available these rules for public inspection;

(5) Maintain and make available for public inspection the agencys current rulemaking agenda required by § 42-35-5.1; and

(6) Maintain and publish a separate, current, and dated index and compilation of all final rules filed with the secretary of state, make the index and compilation available for public inspection and, for a reasonable charge, copying at the principal office of the agency; update the index and compilation at least monthly; and file the index and the compilation and all changes to both with the secretary of state.

(b) All documents required by this section must be published on the agencys website by December 31, 2018, and maintained on the website thereafter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-166-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-166 / Section 42-166-1
§ 42-166-1. The ladders to licensure grant program.
Status: in_force

The executive office of health and human services is hereby directed to establish the ladders to licensure grant program, a public-private partnership to:

(1) Increase the number of licensed health professionals;

(2) Increase racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of health professionals;

(3) Provide academic, financial, and wrap around supports to enable working adults to obtain health professional higher education degrees and license;

(4) Leverage employer support for academic, financial, and wraparound supports;

(5) Align with existing state workforce and higher education initiatives;

(6) Develop and implement career ladders with tiered training and education requirements and corresponding salary increases;

(7) Develop and implement interscholastic and interdepartmental agreements that accept prior learning, credentials, work experience, and academic credits towards requirements for higher education health professional degrees;

(8) Establish policies and initiatives to counter systemic racism and other institutional barriers to participation and advancement of underrepresented populations;

(9) Establish policies and initiatives that provide flexible scheduling of work hours and/or academic programs to reduce barriers to participation; and

(10) Identify state policy barriers to entry and advancement in the field.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-24 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-12 / Section 42-12-24
§ 42-12-24. Development, innovation, and start-up of early education and care programs.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall annually appropriate to the department of human services such funds as it deems necessary to enable the department to develop and expand availability of childcare providers and programs. The development and expansion of childcare providers and programs shall include, without limitation, the development of innovative start-up arrangements linked to small businesses, the development of programs and providers in geographically underserved areas, and the establishment of before and after school programs with priority to be given by the department to programs linked to schools, to infant/toddler programs, programs related to child opportunity zone family centers, and programs that serve children with special health needs or developmental risks. Funds may be used for start-up costs which may include building, rehabilitation, or construction costs.

(b) The director of the department of human services is further authorized to request such appropriation for each state fiscal year as the director deems necessary to carry out the program and purposes of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-34-7 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-34 / Section 42-34-7
§ 42-34-7. Powers.
Status: in_force

The authority is authorized and empowered:

(1) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;

(2) To adopt an official seal and alter it at pleasure;

(3) To maintain an office at such place or places within the state as it may designate;

(4) To sue and be sued in its own name, plead and be impleaded; service of process in any action shall be made by service upon the manager of the authority either in hand or by leaving a copy of the process at the office of the manager with some person having charge thereof;

(5) To employ such assistants, agents, and other employees as may be necessary or desirable for its purposes, all of whom shall be in the classified service of the state; to contract for and engage consultants; and to utilize the services of other governmental agencies;

(6) To accept from a federal agency, loans or grants for use in carrying out its purposes, and to enter into agreements with that agency respecting any such loans or grants;

(7) In connection with the insuring of payments of any mortgage, to request for its guidance a finding of the planning board of the municipality, or if there is no planning board, a finding of the municipal officers of the municipality, in which the industrial project is proposed to be located, or of the regional planning board of which the municipality is a member, as to the expediency and advisability of the project;

(8) To enter into agreements with prospective mortgagees and mortgagors, for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, acquiring, altering, and financing industrial projects;

(9) To acquire, purchase, manage and operate, and hold and dispose of real and personal property, to take assignments of rentals and leases, and make and enter into all contracts, leases, agreements, and arrangements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties;

(10) To enter into agreements with a mortgagee as to the manner of pursuing remedies in the event of a default and the application of any proceeds derived from those remedies against the authoritys obligations to insure incurred under § 42-34-10, after determining that the agreements will, in the opinion of the authority, further the purposes of this chapter or protect the mortgage insurance fund. Any such agreement shall not operate so as to make any insurance issued under § 42-34-10 void or voidable;

(11) When in the opinion of the authority it is necessary or advisable, in order to further the purposes of this chapter or to safeguard the mortgage insurance fund, to purchase, acquire, take assignments of notes, mortgages, and other forms of security and evidences of indebtedness, to purchase, acquire, attach, seize, accept, or take title to any industrial or recreational project by conveyance or when an insured mortgage thereon is clearly in default, by foreclosure, and to sell, lease, or rent an industrial or recreational project for a use specified in § 42-34-6, or for any other use;

(12) To exercise all of the powers that a private insurance company engaged in the business of insuring mortgages would have, to the extent that those powers are not inconsistent with the provisions or purposes of this chapter;

(13) To report annually to the governor and the general assembly as to the activities of the authority for the previous fiscal year;

(14) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter; provided, however, that in all matters concerning the internal administrative functions of the authority the purchasing procedures of the state relating to office space, supplies, facilities, materials, equipment, and professional services, shall be followed;

(15) To determine whether or not a building facility, development, or improvement and the land upon which it is located, if any, is or will constitute a recreational project. Any determinations made by the authority under this subsection and subsection (16) of this section shall be deemed final and conclusive and not subject to review directly or indirectly;

(16) To determine whether or not such a project will tend to accomplish the purposes of this chapter;

(17) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter; provided, however, that in all matters concerning the internal administrative functions of the authority the purchasing procedures of the state relating to office space, supplies, facilities, materials, equipment, and professional services, shall be followed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-165-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-165 / Section 42-165-5
§ 42-165-5. Governing board.
Status: in_force

(a) Composition of board. The RIIDS DATA RI will be governed by the Rhode Island Integrated data system governing board (the board).

(1) The board shall be composed of:

(i) The director of the department of administration or designee;

(ii) The directors of any participating agencies as described in § 42-165-3 and § 42-165-6, or their designee;

(iii) The director of the office of management and budget or designee;

(iv) The chief digital officer or designee;

(v) The director of the center, as set forth in § 42-165-7;

(vi) The secretary of health and human services or designee who serves as one co-chair; and

(vii) The commissioner of postsecondary education or designee who serves as one co-chair.

(2) The board shall be overseen by two co-chairs. The co-chairs shall be responsible for overseeing and directing the policy duties and responsibilities of the board and overseeing, supervising, and directing the operational duties of the center and its personnel.

(b) Powers and duties. The board shall:

(1) In consultation with the center and the Ecosystem, and in accordance with federal and state privacy law, approve policies regarding how data requests from state and local agencies, the Rhode Island general assembly, universities, third-party researchers, and the public will be managed;

(2) In consultation with the center and the Ecosystem, approve policies regarding the publishing of reports and other information that should be available to public stakeholders;

(3) Approve standards implemented by the center and the Ecosystem for the security, privacy, access to, and confidentiality of data, including policies to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-38, 20 C.F.R. § 603.1 et seq., and any other privacy measures, as required by law, state policy, or the board;

(4) Perform other functions that are necessary to ensure the successful continuation, management, and expansion of the RIIDS;

(5) Establish a data governance committee to work with the center and Ecosystem on an ongoing basis to among other responsibilities, approve data requests;

(6) Oversee and collaborate with the data governance committee, the Ecosystem and the center as set forth in § 42-165-7;

(7) Serve as the single governing board for the RILDS and the Ecosystem;

(8) Set the strategic direction for RIIDS to ensure it:

(i) Improves transparency and public accessibility of data, including increasing the availability of dashboards, plain language summaries; public data catalogs of research and reports;

(ii) Enhances data availability for internal state use, ensuring data is accessible to state analysts to conduct broad analysis of state programs, thereby improving the states understanding of the operation and impact of its programs; and

(iii) Improves data availability for external researchers. Data shall be made available to researchers to the greatest extent possible limited to allow evidence-based improvements to state programs; and

(9) The center or the Ecosystem is considered to be an agent of the executive state agency sharing government information for a particular data project and is an authorized receiver of government information under the statutory or administrative law that governs the government information. Interagency data sharing under this chapter does not constitute a disclosure or release under any statutory or administrative law that governs the government information.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-105-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-105 / Section 42-105-3
§ 42-105-3. Purposes.
Status: in_force

The Newport and Bristol County convention and visitors bureau dba Discover Newport is authorized, created, and established for the following purposes:

(1) To establish an operating program to promote and encourage tourism;

(2) To coordinate tourism activities within Newport and Bristol Counties and the state;

(3) To establish a fund to promote and encourage tourism; and

(4) To aid the municipalities in Newport and Bristol County in resolving problems that may arise due to growth in the tourism industry and to improve the quality of life in Newport and Bristol County.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-109-8 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-109 / Section 42-109-8
§ 42-109-8. Funding.
Status: in_force

Monies to fund this chapter shall be raised by assessing an additional two dollars ($2.00) for all speeding violations set forth in § 31-41.1-4, jurisdiction of which is vested in the traffic tribunal. These monies shall be deposited in the substance abuse prevention fund and shall be transferred in the same manner as set forth in § 16-21.2-5. In no event shall administrative expenses be deducted from the amount set forth in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-35 / Section 42-35-2.1
§ 42-35-2.1. Rules coordinator.
Status: in_force

Each agency shall, by January 2, 2002, designate a rules coordinator, who shall have knowledge of the subjects of rules being proposed, maintain the records of any rules action including the rulemaking record required by § 42-35-2.3, and respond to public inquiries about proposed rules and the identity of agency personnel working, reviewing, or commenting on them. The office and mailing address of the rules coordinator shall be published in the state register at the time of designation and in the first issue of each calendar year thereafter for the duration of the designation. The rules coordinator may be an employee of another agency. Nothing in this section shall be construed to explicitly or implicitly permit the hiring of any additional personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities of the rules coordinator designated in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-1.5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-12 / Section 42-12-1.5
§ 42-12-1.5. Transfer of functions from the office of energy resources.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby transferred from the office of energy resources to the department of human services the administration, management, all functions and resources associated with:

(1) The federal low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), which provides heating assistance to eligible low-income persons and any state funded or privately funded heating assistance program of a similar nature assigned to it for administration;

(2) The weatherization assistance program, which offers home weatherization grants and heating system upgrades to LIHEAP eligible households; and,

(3) The emergency fuel program, which provides oil deliveries to families experiencing a heating emergency.

(b) The department is authorized to request advisory assistance from the office of energy resources in order to maintain continuity of assistance provided to LIHEAP eligible households pursuant to § 39-2-1(d).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-131-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-131 / Section 42-131-3
§ 42-131-3. Purpose and duties.
Status: in_force

The purpose of the council shall be to provide a forum to discuss intergovernmental issues between federal, state and local government and the private sector and to develop specific and comprehensive recommendations for executive and legislative action as may be necessary and proper to maintain and encourage improvements in intergovernmental relations. To enable the council to carry out that purpose, the council shall study the following matters and any others it deems appropriate:

(1) The existing, necessary, and desirable relationships between and among local governments, the state and the private sector;

(2) The existing, necessary, and desirable allocation of state and local functional responsibilities and fiscal resources, such as the manner in which the state delivers services to local communities and the powers and functions of local governments;

(3) The impact of federal aid programs in terms of their compatibility with state and local objectives and their fiscal and administrative impact on programs;

(4) Impact of federal or state judicial decisions, and/or existing or proposed federal, state, legislative or executive policies and regulations upon the capacities and effectiveness of local government;

(5) The special problems in interstate areas facing local governments, intrastate regional units, and area-wide bodies, such studies where possible to be conducted in conjunction with those of a pertinent sister state commission(s);

(6) Ways and means to foster better relations among local, state and federal governments, and between government and the private sector;

(7) Encourage and, where appropriate, coordinate studies relating to intergovernmental relations conducted by universities, state, local and federal agencies, and research and consulting organizations;

(8) Review the recommendations of national commissions studying private sector, federal, state and local government relationships and issues and assess their possible application to Rhode Island;

(9) Provide opportunities for state and local government officials and members of the private sector to become more knowledgeable about their shared duties and responsibilities to deliver effective services, such as conducting educational seminars and informational conferences on selected intergovernmental and state and local issues, including potential areas of interstate, state-local and private-public partnerships; and

(10) Review and propose any constitutional amendments and statutory changes required to implement proposals of the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-72 / Section 42-72-6
§ 42-72-6. Deputies and administrators.
Status: in_force

The director may appoint and may remove any executive directors, deputy directors, and administrators as the director deems advisable; provided, however, that all assistant directors, associate directors, or executive directors shall have a masters degree in social work (M.S.W.) or in a closely related human service field, and have demonstrated competence in juvenile justice, and/or childrens mental health and/or child welfare as appropriate to their responsibilities. Any executive director, deputy director, or assistant director and administrator appointed for administrative and support services shall have a masters degree in a discipline appropriate to their responsibilities and demonstrated competence in child welfare or childrens mental health or juvenile justice management or administration of programs for children as appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-99-22 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-99 / Section 42-99-22
§ 42-99-22. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-15 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-28 / Section 42-28-15
§ 42-28-15. Buildings, stations, garages, and barracks.
Status: in_force

The superintendent shall from time to time establish headquarters or substations in such localities as the superintendent shall deem most suitable for the protection of the rural and suburban portions of the state and for the efficient performance of police duty in all parts of the state, and for that purpose the superintendent may, with the approval of the governor, acquire the right to use lands and buildings for the accommodation of the division, but not for a period in excess of five (5) years. And the superintendent is hereby authorized and empowered to purchase land in the name and behalf of the state and to erect suitable buildings thereon for use as state police barracks and garages, whenever an appropriation shall become available for expenditure therefor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-111-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-111 / Section 42-111-1
§ 42-111-1. Compact.
Status: in_force

The Bay State  Ocean State Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with all states legally forming therein in the form substantially as follows:

A. It is the purpose of this compact to:

1. Establish and maintain close cooperation and understanding among executive, legislative, professional, educational and lay leadership basis at the state and local levels.

2. Enhance the economic and environmental qualities of the bays system.

3. Provide a forum for the discussion, development, crystallization and recommendation of public policy alternatives in the field of environmental and economic aspects of Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay.

4. Provide a clearing house of information on matters relating to the problems of the bays systems and how they are being met in different places, so that the legislative branch of state government may have ready access to the experience and record of the compact members and so that both lay and professional groups in this field may have additional avenues for the sharing of experience and interchange of ideas in the formation of this public policy.

5. Facilitate the improvement of state and local systems so that all of them will be able to meet adequate and desirable goals, which require continuous advancement is related marine opportunities, methods and facilities.

B. It is the policy of this compact to encourage and promote local and state initiative in the development, maintenance, improvement and administration of bays systems in a manner, which will accord with the needs and advantages of diversity among localities and the states of Rhode Island and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

C. The party states recognize that each of them has an interest in the water quality in the other states, as well as in its own marine system.

As used in the compact, state means state of Rhode Island or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A. The commission of the states, hereinafter called the commission, is hereby established. The commission shall be comprised of seventeen (17) members, eight (8) members from Rhode Island, eight (8) members from Massachusetts and one member being the northeast regional director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his/her designee. The Rhode Island members shall be the governor or his/her designee, two (2) senators chosen by the president of the senate, one senator chosen by the senate minority leader, two (2) members of the house of representatives chosen by the speaker of the house, one member of the house of representatives chosen by the house minority leader, and one member or other citizen of Rhode Island chosen jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house. The Massachusetts membership shall be chosen by the Massachusetts Great and General Court. The members of the commission shall be uncompensated and serve for a term of two (2) years.

B. The members of the commission shall be entitled to one vote each on the commission. No action of the commission shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of votes on the commission are cast in favor thereof. Action of the commission shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the commissioners are present. The commission shall meet at least once a year. In its bylaws, and subject to such directions and limitations as may be contained therein, the commission may delegate the exercise of any of its powers to the executive committee or the executive director, except for the power to approve budgets or requests for appropriations, the power to make policy recommendations pursuant to article III(J).

C. The commission shall have a seal.

D. The commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a treasurer. The commission may provide for the appointment of an executive director. Such executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the commission, and together with the treasurer and such other personnel as the commission may deem appropriate shall be bonded in such amount as the commission shall determine. The executive director shall be secretary.

E. Irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws of any of the party states, the executive director subject to the approval of the executive committee appoint, remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the commission, and fix the duties and compensation of such personnel. The commission in its bylaws shall provide for the personnel policies and programs of the commission.

F. The commission may borrow, accept or contract for the services of personnel from any party jurisdiction, the United States, or any subdivision or agency of the aforementioned governments, or from any agency of two (2) or more of the party jurisdictions or their subdivisions.

G. The commission may accept for any of its purposes and function under this compact any and all donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, United States, or any other governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, foundation, or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the commission pursuant to this paragraph or services borrowed pursuant to paragraph (F) of this article shall be reported in the annual report of the commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and conditions, if any, of the donation, grant, or services borrowed, and the identity of the donor or lender.

H. The commission may establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The commission may acquire, hold, and convey real and personal property and any interest therein.

I. The commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws. The commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendments thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.

J. The commission annually shall make to the governor and legislature of each party state a report covering the activities of the commission for the preceding year. The commission may make such additional reports as it may deem desirable.

In addition to authority conferred on the commission by other provisions of the compact, the commission shall have authority to:

1. Collect, correlate, analyze and interpret information and data concerning needs and resources.

2. Encourage and foster research in all aspects of Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay, but with special reference to the desirable scope of environmental and economic aspects.

3. Develop proposals for adequate financing of the compact as a whole and at each of its many levels.

4. Conduct or participate in research of the types referred to in this article in any instance where the commission finds that such research is necessary for the advancement of the purposes and policies of this compact, utilizing fully the resources of national associations, regional compact organizations, and other agencies and institutions, both public and private.

5. Formulate suggested policies and plans for the improvement of Mount Hope Bay as a whole, or for any segment thereof, and make recommendations with respect thereto available to the appropriate governmental units, agencies and public officials.

6. Do such other things as may be necessary or incidental to the administration of any of its authority or functions pursuant to this compact.

A. If the laws of the United States specifically so provide, or if administrative provision is made therefor within the federal government, the United States shall be represented on the commission by the northeast regional executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his/her designee. Such representative or representatives of the United States shall be appointed and serve in such manner as may be provided by or pursuant to federal law.

B. The commission may provide information and make recommendations to any executive or legislative agency or officer of the federal government concerning the common policies of the member states, and may advise any such agencies or officers concerning any matter of mutual interest.

A. To assist in the expeditious conduct of its business when the full commission is not meeting, the commission shall elect an executive committee of five (5) members which, subject to the provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the bylaws of the commission. A federal representative on the commission may serve with the executive committee, but without vote. The voting members of the executive committee shall serve for terms of two (2) years, except that members elected to the first executive committee of the commission shall be elected as follows: one for one year and one for two (2) years. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and treasurer of the commission shall be members of the executive committee and, anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, shall serve during their continuance in these offices. Vacancies in the executive committee shall not affect its authority to act, but the commission at its next regularly ensuing meeting following the occurrence of any vacancy shall fill it for the unexpired term. No person shall serve more than two (2) terms as a member of the executive committee: provided that service for a partial term of one year or less shall not be counted toward the two (2) term limitation.

B. In addition there shall be an advisory board. This board, selected by the commission, shall be comprised of a minimum of eight (8) members whose term of service shall be for one year. The guiding principle for the composition of the membership on the advisory board of each party state shall be that the members representing such state shall, by virtue of their training, experience, knowledge or affiliations be in a position collectively to reflect broadly the interests of the state government, marine trades, water quality and environmental standards.

C. The commission may establish advisory and technical committees composed of state, local, and federal officials, and private persons to advise it with respect to any one or more of its functions. Any advisory or technical committee may, on request of the states concerned, be established to consider any matter of special concern to the state of Rhode Island and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

D. The commission may establish such additional committees as its bylaws may provide.

A. The commission shall not pledge the credit of any party states. The commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it pursuant to article III(G) of this compact, provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to incurring an obligation to be met in whole or in part in such manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds available to it pursuant to article III(G) thereof, the commission shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds by the party states adequate to meet the same.

B. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established by its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual reports of the commission.

C. The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party states and by any persons authorized by the commission.

D. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the support of the commission.

A. This compact shall have as eligible parties the state of Rhode Island and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

B. Adoption of the compact may be either by enactment thereof, or by adherence thereto by the governor; provided, that in the absence of enactment, adherence by the governor shall be sufficient to make his state a party only until December 31, 1991.

C. Except for withdrawal effective on December 31, 1991, in accordance with paragraph B of this article, any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governor of the other party state. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of either state or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating therein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-23-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-23 / Section 42-23-5
§ 42-23-5. Succession to previous commissions  Reports  Expenses.
Status: in_force

The commission on interstate cooperation shall exercise all powers and duties formerly vested by law upon the commission on foreign and domestic commerce, the commission on interstate cooperation, and the commission on interstate compacts affecting labor and industry, which commissions were abolished by chapter 660 of the Public Laws of 1939. The commission on interstate cooperation may report its proceedings and recommendations either to the governor or to the general assembly or both, at such times as it may deem advisable. Members of the commission shall receive the sum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) each per meeting and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses of travel related to their participation in commission activities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-80-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-80 / Section 42-80-1
§ 42-80-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Prejudice and Bias Commission Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-34-9 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-34 / Section 42-34-9
§ 42-34-9. Mortgage insurance fund  Subrogation.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created an industrial building mortgage insurance fund, hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the fund which shall be used by the authority as a nonlapsing, revolving fund for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. To this fund shall be charged any and all expenses of the authority, including mortgage payments required by loan defaults, and to the fund shall be credited all receipts of the authority, including mortgage insurance premiums and proceeds from the sale, disposal, lease, or rental of personal property that the authority may receive under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Moneys in the fund not needed currently to meet the expenses and obligations of the authority shall be deposited with the general treasurer to the credit of the fund, or may be invested in such manner as is provided for by statute.

(c) The authority shall become subrogated to the extent that mortgage payments have been paid by the authority to the mortgagee of an insured mortgage notwithstanding that the authority has not paid all of the mortgage payments under the mortgage, and the authority shall have the right to bring a separate cause of action by way of subrogation with respect to each mortgage payment that it has paid to the mortgagee. All recoveries by way of subrogation shall be credited to the fund as provided in subsection (a).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-18 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-12 / Section 42-12-18
§ 42-12-18. Transfer of powers and functions from department of human services.
Status: in_force

There are hereby transferred to the department of administration:

(1) Those functions of the department of human services that were administered through or with respect to departmental programs in the performance of strategic planning as defined in § 42-11-10(c);

(2) All officers, employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, commissions, and task forces of the department of human services who were performing strategic planning functions as defined in § 42-11-10(c); and

(3) So much of other functions or parts of functions and employees and resources, physical and funded, related thereto of the director of human services as are incidental to and necessary for the performance of the functions transferred by subsections (1) and (2).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-13.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-13.2
§ 42-64-13.2. Renewable energy investment coordination.
Status: in_force

(a) Intent. To develop an integrated organizational structure to secure for Rhode Island and its people the full benefits of cost-effective renewable energy development from diverse sources.

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth in § 42-64-3 unless this section provides a different meaning. Within this section, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) Corporation means the Rhode Island commerce corporation.

(2) Municipality means any city or town, or other political subdivision of the state.

(3) Office means the office of energy resources established by chapter 140 of this title.

(c) Renewable energy development fund. The corporation shall, in the furtherance of its responsibilities to promote and encourage economic development, establish and administer a renewable energy development fund as provided for in § 39-26-7, may exercise the powers set forth in this chapter, as necessary or convenient to accomplish this purpose, and shall provide such administrative support as may be needed for the coordinated administration of the renewable energy standard as provided for in chapter 26 of title 39 and the renewable energy program established by § 39-2-1.2. The corporation may upon the request of any person undertaking a renewable energy facility project, grant project status to the project, and a renewable energy facility project, which is given project status by the corporation, shall be deemed an energy project of the corporation.

(d) Duties. The corporation shall, with regards to renewable energy project investment:

(1) Establish by rule, in consultation with the office, standards for financing renewable energy projects from diverse sources.

(2) Enter into agreements, consistent with this chapter and renewable energy investment plans adopted by the office, to provide support to renewable energy projects that meet applicable standards established by the corporation. Said agreements may include contracts with municipalities and public corporations.

(e) Conduct of activities. (1) To the extent reasonable and practical, the conduct of activities under the provisions of this chapter shall be open and inclusive; the director shall seek, in addressing the purposes of this chapter, to involve the research and analytic capacities of institutions of higher education within the state, industry, advocacy groups, and regional entities, and shall seek input from stakeholders including, but not limited to, residential and commercial energy users. (2) [Deleted by P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 11.]

(f) Reporting. On March 1, of each year after the effective date of this chapter, the corporation shall submit to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the secretary of state, a financial and performance report. These reports shall be posted electronically on the general assembly and the secretary of states websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The reports shall set forth:

(1) The corporations receipts and expenditures in each of the renewable energy program funds administered in accordance with this section;

(2) A listing of all private consultants engaged by the corporation on a contract basis and a statement of the total amount paid to each private consultant from the two (2) renewable energy funds administered in accordance with this chapter; a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; and

(3) A summary of performance during the prior year including accomplishments and shortcomings; project investments; the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy investments by the corporation; and recommendations for improvement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-46 / Section 42-46-3
§ 42-46-3. Open meetings.
Status: in_force

Every meeting of all public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed pursuant to §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-3
§ 42-64-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context indicates another or different meaning or intent:

(1) Administrative penalty means a monetary penalty not to exceed the civil penalty specified in § 42-64-9.2.

(2) Airport facility means developments consisting of runways, hangars, control towers, ramps, wharves, bulkheads, buildings, structures, parking areas, improvements, facilities, or other real or personal property necessary, convenient, or desirable for the landing, taking off, accommodation, and servicing of aircraft of all types, operated by carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers or cargo, or for the loading, unloading, interchange, or transfer of the passengers or their baggage, or the cargo, or otherwise for the accommodation, use or convenience of the passengers or the carriers or their employees (including related facilities and accommodations at sites removed from landing fields and other landing areas), or for the landing, taking off, accommodation, and servicing of aircraft owned or operated by persons other than carriers. It also means facilities providing access to an airport facility, consisting of rail, rapid transit, or other forms of mass transportation which furnish a connection between the air terminal and other points within the state, including appropriate mass transportation terminal facilities at and within the air terminal itself and suitable offsite facilities for the accommodation of air passengers, baggage, mail, express, freight, and other users of the connecting facility.

(3) BOCA code means the BOCA basic building code published by building officials & code administrators international, inc., as the code may from time to time be promulgated by the building officials & code administrators international, inc.

(4) Bonds and notes means the bonds, notes, securities, or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued by the corporation pursuant to this chapter, all of which shall be issued under the name of and known as obligations of the Rhode Island commerce corporation.

(5) Civic facility means any real or personal property designed and intended for the purpose of providing facilities for educational, cultural, community, or other civic purposes.

(6) Compliance schedule means a schedule of remedial measures including an enforceable sequence of actions or operations leading to compliance with an effluent limitation or any other limitation, prohibition, or standard.

(7) Corporation, port authority, or authority means the governmental agency and public instrumentality, formerly known as the Rhode Island port authority and economic development corporation and/or also formerly known as the Rhode Island economic development corporation, and now known as the Rhode Island commerce corporation authorized, created, and established pursuant to § 42-64-4, or any subsidiary corporation thereof which is established pursuant to § 42-64-7.1.

(8) Director means the executive director of the economic development corporation until such time that the secretary of commerce is appointed. Upon the appointment of a secretary of commerce, Director means the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island commerce corporation, who shall also be the secretary of the Rhode Island executive office of commerce.

(9) Federal land means real property within the state, now acquired or hereafter acquired by the Rhode Island commerce corporation which was formerly owned by the United States government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all real property now or formerly owned or used by the United States government in the towns of North Kingstown, Portsmouth, Middletown, and Charlestown and the city of Newport as military installations or for other purposes related to the national defense. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, federal land shall also mean and include certain land in the town of North Kingstown, or any portion thereof, which has or shall revert to the state pursuant to the provisions of Public Laws 1939, chapter 696 and is now or hereafter acquired by the corporation from the state.

(10) Industrial facility means any real or personal property, the demolition, removal, relocation, acquisition, expansion, modification, alteration, or improvement of existing buildings, structures, or facilities, the construction of new buildings, structures, or facilities, the replacement, acquisition, modification, or renovation of existing machinery and equipment, or the acquisition of new machinery and equipment, or any combination of the United States, which shall be suitable for manufacturing, research, production, processing, agriculture, and marine commerce, or warehousing; or convention centers, trade centers, exhibition centers, or offices (including offices for the government of the United States or any agency, department, board, bureau, corporation, or other instrumentality of the United States, or for the state or any state agency, or for any municipality); or facilities for other industrial, commercial, or business purposes of every type and description; and facilities appurtenant or incidental to the foregoing, including headquarters or office facilities, whether or not at the location of the remainder of the facility, warehouses, distribution centers, access roads, sidewalks, utilities, railway sidings, trucking, and similar facilities, parking areas, waterways, dockage, wharfage, and other improvements necessary or convenient for the construction, development, maintenance, and operation of those facilities.

(11) Local governing body means any town or city council, commission, or other elective governing body now or hereafter vested by state statute, charter, or other law, with jurisdiction to initiate and adopt local ordinances, whether or not these local ordinances require the approval of the elected or appointed chief executive officer or other official or body to become effective.

(12) Local redevelopment corporation means any agency or corporation created and existing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 31 of title 45.

(13) Municipality means any city or town within the state now existing or hereafter created, or any state agency.

(14) Parent corporation means, when used in connection with a subsidiary corporation established pursuant to § 42-64-7.1, the governmental agency and public instrumentality created and established pursuant to § 42-64-4.

(15) Personal property means all tangible personal property, new or used, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all machinery, equipment, transportation equipment, ships, aircraft, railroad rolling stock, locomotives, pipelines, and all other things and rights usually included within that term. Personal property also means and includes any and all interests in the property which are less than full title, such as leasehold interests, security interests, and every other interest or right, legal or equitable.

(16) Pollutant means any material or effluent which may alter the chemical, physical, biological or radiological characteristics or integrity of water, including but not limited to, dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, cellar dirt, or industrial, municipal, agricultural or other waste petroleum or petroleum products, including, but not limited to, oil.

(17) Pollution means the discharge of any gaseous, liquid, or solid substance or combination thereof (including noise) into the air, water, or land which affects the physical, chemical, or biological properties (including temperature) of the air, water, or land in a manner or to an extent which renders or is likely to render the air, water, or land harmful or inimical to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to animal, bird, or aquatic life, or to the use of the air or water for domestic, industrial, or agricultural purposes or recreation including the man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological integrity of water.

(18) Pollution control facility means any land or interest in land, the demolition, removal, relocation, acquisition, expansion, modification, alteration, or improvement of existing buildings, structures, or facilities, the construction of new buildings, structures, or facilities, the replacement, modification, or renovation of existing machinery and equipment, or the acquisition of new machinery and equipment, or any combination thereof, having to do with or the purpose of which is the abatement, control, or prevention of pollution, including industrial pollution, and all real and personal property incidental to that facility.

(19) Port facility means harbors, ports, and all real and personal property used in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, waterways, channels, wharves, docks, yards, bulkheads, slips, basins, pipelines, ships, boats, railroads, trucks, and other motor vehicles, aircraft, parking areas, shipyards, piers, quays, elevators, compressors, loading and unloading facilities, storage facilities, and warehouses of every type, buildings and facilities used in the manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, or handling of any produce or products, other structures and facilities necessary for the convenient use of the harbors and seaports, including dredged approaches, railways, railroad terminals, side tracks, airports, roads, highways, tunnels, viaducts, bridges, and other approaches, useful in connection therewith, and any other shipping or transportation facility useful in the operation of a port or harbor.

(20) Project or port project means the acquisition, ownership, operation, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, development, sale, lease, or other disposition of, or the provision of financing for, any real or personal property (by whomever owned) or any interests in real or personal property, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any port facility, recreational facility, industrial facility, airport facility, pollution control facility, utility facility, solid waste disposal facility, civic facility, residential facility, water supply facility, energy facility or renewable energy facility, or any other facility, or any combination of two (2) or more of the foregoing, or any other activity undertaken by the corporation.

(21) Project cost means the sum total of all costs incurred by the Rhode Island commerce corporation in carrying out all works and undertakings, which the corporation deems reasonable and necessary for the development of a project. These shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the costs of all necessary studies, surveys, plans, and specifications, architectural, engineering, or other special services, acquisition of land and any buildings on the land, site preparation and development, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, and the acquisition of any machinery and equipment or other personal property as may be deemed necessary in connection with the project (other than raw materials, work in process, or stock in trade); the necessary expenses incurred in connection with the initial occupancy of the project; an allocable portion of the administrative and operating expenses of the corporation; the cost of financing the project, including interest on all bonds and notes issued by the corporation to finance the project from the date thereof to one year from the date when the corporation shall deem the project substantially occupied; and the cost of those other items, including any indemnity or surety bonds and premiums on insurance, legal fees, real estate brokers and agent fees, fees and expenses of trustees, depositories, and paying agent for bonds and notes issued by the Rhode Island commerce corporation, including reimbursement to any project user for any expenditures as may be allowed by the corporation (as would be costs of the project under this section had they been made directly by the corporation), and relocation costs, all as the corporation shall deem necessary.

(22) Project user means the person, company, corporation, partnership, or commercial entity, municipality, state, or United States of America who shall be the user of, or beneficiary of, a port project.

(23) Real property means lands, structures (new or used), franchises, and interests in land, including lands under water, and riparian rights, space rights, and air rights, and all other things and rights usually included within the term. Real property shall also mean and include any and all interests in that property less than fee simple, such as easements, incorporeal hereditaments, and every estate, interest or right, legal or equitable, including terms for years and liens thereon by way of judgments, mortgages or otherwise, and also all claims for damages to that real property.

(24) Recreational facility means any building, development, or improvement, provided that building, facility, development, or improvement is designed in whole or in part to attract tourists to the state or to provide essential overnight accommodations to transients visiting this state, including, without limiting in any way the generality of the foregoing, marinas, beaches, bathing facilities, ski facilities, convention facilities, hotels, motels, golf courses, camp grounds, arenas, theatres, lodges, guest cottages, and all types of real or personal property related thereto as may be determined from time to time by the corporation.

(25) Renewable energy facility means any real or personal property, or any combination thereof, related to, or incidental to, any project, designed, intended, or utilized for an eligible renewable energy resource that meets the criteria set forth in §§ 39-26-5(a) and 39-26-5(c).

(26) Revenues means: (i) with respect to any project, the rents, fees, tolls, charges, installment payments, repayments, and other income or profit derived from a project or a combination of projects pursuant to any lease, conditional sales contract, installment sales contract, loan agreement, or other contract or agreement, or any combination thereof, and (ii) any receipts, fees, payments, moneys, revenues, or other payments received or to be received by the corporation in the exercise of its corporate powers under this chapter, including, without limitation, loan repayments, grants, aid, appropriations and other assistance for the state, the United States or any corporation, department or instrumentality of either or of a political subdivision thereof, bond proceeds, investment earnings, insurance proceeds, amounts in reserves and other funds and accounts established by or pursuant to this chapter or in connection with the issuance of bonds, and any other taxes, assessments, fees, charges, awards or other income or amounts received or receivable by the corporation.

(27) Rule or regulation means any directive promulgated by the Rhode Island commerce corporation not inconsistent with the laws of the United States or the state, for the improvement of navigation and commerce or other project purposes and shall include, but not be limited to, charges, tolls, rates, rentals, and security provisions fixed or established by the corporation.

(28) Sewage shall be construed to mean the same as pollutant as defined in subsection (16) above.

(29) Sewage treatment facility means the sewage treatment plant, structure, combined sewer overflows, equipment, interceptors, mains, pumping stations and other property, real, personal or mixed, for the treatment, storage, collection, transporting or disposal of sewage, or any property or system to be used in whole or in part for any of the aforesaid purposes located or operated within the boundaries of the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park, or utilized by the corporation for the transport, collection, treatment, storage, or disposal of waste.

(30) Solid waste means garbage, refuse, and other discarded materials, including, but not limited to, solid waste materials resulting from industrial, recreational, utility, and commercial enterprises, hotels, apartments, or any other public building or private building, or agricultural, or residential activities.

(31) Solid waste disposal facility means any real or personal property, related to or incidental to any project, which is designed or intended or designated for the purpose of treating, compacting, composting, or disposing of solid waste materials, including treatment, compacting, composting, or disposal plants, site and equipment furnishings thereof, and their appurtenances.

(32) Source means any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be the discharge of sewage.

(33) State means the state of Rhode Island.

(34) State agency means any office, department, board, commission, bureau, division, authority, or public corporation, agency, or instrumentality of the state.

(35) State guide plan means the plan adopted pursuant to § 42-11-10, which establishes the statewide planning program.

(36) Utility facility means any real or personal property designed, intended or utilized for generating, manufacturing, producing, storing, transmitting, distributing, delivering, or furnishing natural or manufactured gas, steam, electrical, or nuclear energy, heat, light, or power directly or indirectly to or for any project, project user, or for the public, the collection and disposal of storm and sanitary sewage; any railroads necessary or desirable for the free flow of commerce to and from projects; any roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, or other crossings necessary or desirable for the free flow of commerce to and from projects, and any public transportation systems or facilities, including, but not limited to, bus, truck, ferry, and railroad terminals, depots, tracked vehicles, and other rolling stock and ferries; and any appurtenances, equipment, and machinery or other personal property necessary or desirable for the utilization thereof.

(37) Water supply facility means any real or personal property, or any combination thereof, related to or incidental to any project, designed, intended, or utilized for the furnishing of water for domestic, industrial, irrigation, or other purposes and including artesian wells, reservoirs, dams, related equipment, and pipelines, and other facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-4-18 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-4 / Section 42-4-18
§ 42-4-18. State sailing education vessel.
Status: in_force

The Class A size Tall Ship, commonly known as the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, is hereby designated as the official state sailing education vessel.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-42 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-42
§ 42-64-42. Rhode Island-Ireland trade commission.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established the Rhode Island-Ireland trade commission. The commission is advisory and shall consist of seven (7) members to be appointed as follows:

(1) Two (2) members who shall be appointed by the president of the senate, shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs, or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between Rhode Island and Ireland; and two (2) members who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house, shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs, or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between Rhode Island and Ireland. The members of the commission appointed by the speaker of the house shall serve for two (2) years or until their successor is appointed, and the members appointed by the president of the senate shall serve for three (3) years or until their successor is appointed, whichever period is later.

(2) Three (3) members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor, and shall serve for a term of four (4) years or until their successor is appointed. The members appointed shall include one representative from a public institution of higher education; one representative from the Rhode Island chamber of commerce, or its successor organization; and one public member who shall represent Irish-American communities or interests.

(3) All appointments shall be made no later than July 1, 2025. A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

(b) Compensation, meetings.

(1) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation; provided, however, the members may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limit of funds appropriated to the commission or otherwise made available to it for its purposes.

(2) The commission shall meet and hold hearings at the places it designates throughout the state.

(3) The commission shall elect a chair from among its members. The chair may appoint from among the commission members subcommittees and subcommittee chairs at the chairs discretion.

(4) The commission shall keep records of all proceedings which shall be public and open to inspection; shall adopt a seal; and shall exercise and perform the duties prescribed by this section.

(5) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the commission.

(c) The commission shall provide recommendations and information to the Rhode Island commerce corporation established pursuant to § 42-64-4 and the director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business to promote, enhance, and advance the relationship and trade with Ireland.

(d) Role and responsibility. The role and responsibility of the Rhode Island-Ireland trade commission shall be to study, research, and advance analyses, proposals, and recommendations for:

(1) Bilateral trade and investments between Rhode Island and Ireland;

(2) Policy issues of mutual interest to Rhode Island and Ireland;

(3) Promoting business and academic exchanges between Rhode Island and Ireland;

(4) Mutual economic support between Rhode Island and Ireland;

(5) Mutual investments in the infrastructure of Rhode Island and Ireland;

(6) Helping communities in Ireland and Rhode Island through the creation of educational and economic opportunities; and

(7) Such other issues as requested by the Rhode Island commerce corporation.

(e) Reports. The commission shall report its findings, results, and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and the secretary of commerce with a copy to the director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business, within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year. The report shall be in writing and include recommendations as deemed appropriate by the commission and shall include a financial statement of all funds received and expended pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section.

(f) Funds. The Rhode Island-Ireland trade commission shall be authorized to raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions, to defray the commissions administrative expenses and to achieve its purposes.

(g) All meetings of the commission shall comply with the provisions of chapter 46 of this title (open meetings).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-82-14 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-82 / Section 42-82-14
§ 42-82-14. Amortization.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of paying any expenses incurred by the general treasurer in the issuance of the bonds or notes under the authority of this chapter, and any interest and any principal becoming payable from time to time on the bonds or notes issued under the authority of this chapter and then outstanding, the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the expenses, interest, and principal out of the fund. In the event that the amount available in the fund is not sufficient for this purpose, a sum sufficient is hereby annually appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the payment of the expenses, interest, and principal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-96-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-96 / Section 42-96-3
§ 42-96-3. Contracts with organizations.
Status: in_force

(a) The director may enter into contracts on behalf of the commission, either on the directors own initiative, or upon application of an organization or the municipality having jurisdiction over the organization, for the performance of organization activities. The contracts shall be entered into, however, only after appropriate findings by the director, subject to the limitations set forth. Preference shall be given to those organizations that represent high crime areas.

(b) Prior to entering into, renewing, extending, or replacing a contract with an organization, the director shall have made a finding that the organization which proposes to contract with the director is a bona fide organization which shall have been in existence for at least one full year within a three-year (3) period immediately prior to application for funding. Its existence shall have been as a corporation or an unincorporated, organized group, which has demonstrated by its activities that it has the ability to establish and maintain tenant-lobby, street-foot patrols, or auto patrols or other approved activities in the proposed neighborhood. The director shall also find that the activities proposed are needed by the neighborhood and that the proposed activities utilize resident involvement to the fullest extent possible. A finding shall also be made as to the ability of the organization to acquire or gain access to the requisite staff, office facilities, and expertise to enable it to perform the activities, which it proposes to undertake pursuant to the contract.

(c)(1) In determining whether to enter into, renew, extend, or replace a contract with an organization pursuant to this chapter, the director shall investigate, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, and establish that:

(i) The geographic boundaries proposed by the applicant for a contract define a recognized or established neighborhood or area within the municipality;

(ii) The activities proposed by the organization are reasonably calculated to have a generally positive effect on the prevention of crime and on the reduction of the fear of crime within the neighborhood and are designed to provide additional and particular focus when necessary to address the needs of senior citizens with respect thereto;

(iii) The presence of the organization within the neighborhood has not resulted in and will not result in a decrease in the crime prevention activities performed by existing police agencies in the neighborhood;

(iv) The organization has coordinated and will continue to coordinate its activities with existing police agencies;

(v) The organizations officers, directors and members represent the residents and the legitimate interests of the neighborhood, and they will carry out a contract in a responsible manner;

(vi) A majority of the directors of the organization are residents of the neighborhood;

(vii) The plan submitted by the organization demonstrates that the organization will recruit and utilize neighborhood volunteers and will, to the extent possible, acquire loaned or donated equipment for the performance of its activities;

(viii) The director shall also find that the plan submitted by the organization demonstrates that the organization, when hiring employees, will give priority, to the extent possible, to residents of the neighborhood who are either unemployed or not fully employed.

(2) Nothing contained within the contract shall impose liability upon the commission or the community for injury incurred during the performance of any approved activities.

(d) Contracts entered into under this chapter with organizations shall be limited in duration to periods of one year, but may thereafter be renewed, extended, or succeeded by new contracts from year to year in the discretion of the director. Each organization shall also define with particularity the neighborhood or portion thereof within which the organizations activities shall be performed under the contract. The contract shall also set forth the organizations obligations to provide training in approved crime prevention techniques, and in community relations, to those who shall perform crime prevention activities for the organization.

(e) Every contract shall provide that the organization maintain books, records, and accounts deemed appropriate and open to review by the director and that the accounts shall be currently maintained in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

(f) Nothing within this chapter shall preclude a municipality from applying to or contracting with the commission on behalf of qualifying auxiliary police services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-20.5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-20.5
§ 42-56-20.5. Establishment of a womens transitional housing facility.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established within the department of corrections a womens transitional housing facility that shall operate as a re-entry program for women as part of their prison sentence, available only to women who participate in treatment while incarcerated. The house will be a staff secure facility with twenty-four (24) hour seven (7) day per week supervision. Security measures will include an alarm system, bed checks, work/school/home visits, random urine tests, and room searches. While in the program, offenders will work with staff and probation counselors to develop plans for follow-up service and activities after release. Upon discharge, probation counselors will monitor follow-up plans in conjunction with case managers.

(b) The re-entry program shall consist of life training skills including, but not limited to, parenting, money management, housing and employment, with an emphasis on vocational and educational assessment counseling, training, and job development and placement. In addition, the program shall offer alcoholism/addictive treatment, health education, group and family counseling, parenting education, counseling for sexual abuse, and domestic violence and mental health care.

(c) There shall be acquired an appropriate residential unit to house twelve (12) to fifteen (15) women, consisting of at least eight (8) bedrooms sufficient to house two (2) women each, a dining area and kitchen to seat up to fifteen (15) women, visiting areas, childrens visiting space, group and individual treatment rooms, and administrative areas for staff and records.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-81-6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-81 / Section 42-81-6
§ 42-81-6. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation issued pursuant thereto, shall be liable to the people of the state for a civil penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for every violation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-80-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-80 / Section 42-80-2
§ 42-80-2. Commission created  Composition.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created the Rhode Island commission on prejudice and bias, hereinafter called the commission.

(b) The commission shall consist of seventeen (17) members, each of whom shall serve a term of two (2) years, expiring on the first anniversary of each members appointment or on the date that their respective successors are appointed and qualified, whichever is later. The membership of the commission shall consist of three (3) members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party; three (3) members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party; three (3) members of the department of the attorney general to be appointed by the attorney general; one member of the state police to be appointed by the superintendent of state police; one member of a municipal police department to be appointed by the president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; and six (6) members of the community at large to be appointed by the governor for their interest, expertise, and diversity in the field under consideration. The committee shall select one of its members as chairperson.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-20-10 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-20 / Section 42-20-10
§ 42-20-10. Administration of oaths.
Status: in_force

Any director or head of a department shall have the power to administer oaths for all purposes required in the discharge of their duties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-40 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-40
§ 42-56-40. Transfer of foreign convicted offenders under treaty.
Status: in_force

Whenever a treaty is in force between the United States and a foreign country providing for the transfer or exchange of convicted offenders to the country of which they are citizens or nationals, the governor may, on behalf of the state and subject to the terms of the treaty, authorize the director of corrections to consent to the transfer or exchange of offenders or take any other action necessary to implement the participation of the state in the treaty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-124-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-124 / Section 42-124-1
§ 42-124-1. Establishment of commission.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a special legislative commission on equal pay and comparable worth in public and private employment consisting of twenty-five (25) members: four (4) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, one of whom shall have served on the 1986 comparable worth/pay equity commission, to be appointed by the speaker; four (4) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than three (3) from the same political party, one of whom shall have served on the 1986 comparable worth/pay equity commission to be appointed by the president of the senate; two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the governor; one of whom shall be the human resources director of the department of administration; one of whom shall be the human resources program administrator; one of whom shall be the executive director of the Rhode Island commission on women, or the executive directors appointee; one of whom shall be the executive director of the human rights commission, or the executive directors appointee; one of whom shall be the chair or co-chair of the economic equity committee of the Rhode Island commission on women, or the chair or co-chairs appointee; one of whom shall be the director of labor and training, or the directors appointee; one of whom shall be the executive director of the AFL-CIO, or the executive directors appointee; one of whom shall be the executive director of AFSCME, or the executive directors appointee; one of whom shall be the state equal opportunity administrator; one of whom shall be from the Chamber of Commerce Federation; one of whom shall be from the Workforce 2000 Council; one of whom shall be the executive director of the League of Cities and Towns, or the executive directors appointee; one of whom shall be the director of research, Department of Business and Economics at the University of Rhode Island; one of whom shall be a representative from NEARI, appointed by the president of the association; and one of whom shall be a representative from AFT/AFL-CIO, appointed by the president of the association.

(b) The composition of this commission shall endeavor, as far as practicable, to provide diverse ethnic, cultural, and gender representation of the state of Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-4-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-4 / Section 42-4-2
§ 42-4-2. State seal.
Status: in_force

There shall continue to be one seal for the public use of the state; the form of an anchor shall be engraved thereon; the motto thereof shall be the word Hope; and in a circle around the outside shall be engraved with the words, Seal of the State of Rhode Island, 1636.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-12 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-28 / Section 42-28-12
§ 42-28-12. Members assigned to towns.
Status: in_force

Upon the request of the town council of any town, duly presented to the superintendent, that a member or members of the division be assigned to duty in that town, the superintendent, in the superintendents discretion, may assign a member or members of the division to duty in that town and thereupon the superintendent, in the superintendents judgment, may appoint a member or members of the division in addition to the number of members hereinabove provided for; provided, however, that upon making the request, the town shall agree to pay the salary and expenses of the member or members of the division during the period of such duty in the manner hereinafter specified. Each such additional member of the division shall thereupon become a member of the division of state police, and each member so assigned to duty as aforesaid shall during the period of such duty continue to be a member of the division of state police, but the members salary and expenses shall be paid by the town requesting that the member be assigned to duty therein. The superintendent shall have full power at all times to withdraw any member assigned to duty in that town and assign another member to the members place or to discontinue such duty and to make no assignment to replace.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-102-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-102 / Section 42-102-3
§ 42-102-3. Officers.
Status: in_force

(a) The position of chairperson shall be unpaid and the individual who is appointed chairperson shall serve a three-year (3) term. The governor may reappoint the individual appointed chairperson to serve another three-year (3) term.

(b) The secretary of commerce shall be vice-chair and is authorized to preside over meetings in the absence of the chairperson.

(c) Executive director. The workforce board, in consultation with the governor, shall appoint an executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the workforce board, provided that the executive directors initial engagement by the workforce board shall be for a period of not more than three (3) years. The position of executive director shall be in the unclassified service of the state and he or she shall serve as the chief executive officer of the workforce board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-3.6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-28 / Section 42-28-3.6
§ 42-28-3.6. Blue Alert procedures for protocol and implementation.
Status: in_force

The division of state police shall establish protocols and procedures to implement a Blue Alert. The protocols and procedures shall be updated as may be necessary in consultation with the entities and agencies involved in the Blue Alert process to provide effective and efficient procedures to assist law enforcement agencies, broadcast media, and other cooperating agencies or entities in carrying out the provisions of the Blue Alert system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-7.4 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-7.4
§ 42-64-7.4. Water supply facilities.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island commerce corporation is authorized and empowered to acquire and construct water supply facilities; to maintain, repair, and operate those facilities; and to issue revenue bonds of the corporation payable solely from revenues derived from the leasing of those water supply facilities to finance them. Development of these projects may be initiated by the corporation upon request of a municipality or municipalities seeking to undertake the project either singly or jointly.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the corporation is expressly empowered to lease or sell water supply facilities or any part of those facilities to any municipality. A lease by the corporation to any municipality may be for any period, upon any terms and conditions, with or without an option to purchase, as the corporation may determine.

(c) The provisions of any other laws or ordinances, general, special, or local, or of any rule or regulation of the state or any municipality, restricting or regulating in any manner the power of any municipality to lease, as lessee or lessor, or sell property real, personal, or mixed, shall not apply to leases and sales made with authority pursuant to this section; and insofar as the provisions of this section are inconsistent with the other laws of this state, general, special, or local, restricting the power of any municipality to enter into a lease or to sell property, the provisions of this section shall be controlling.

(d) Any municipality, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, is authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to the corporation, at its request upon those terms and conditions that the proper authorities of a municipality may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality, other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned, any real property or personal property which may be necessary or convenient to effectuation of the authorized purposes of the corporation including real property already devoted to public use; and subject to the aforesaid, the state consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including land lying under water, and which are deemed by the corporation to be necessary for the construction or operation of any water supply facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-6-7 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-6 / Section 42-6-7
§ 42-6-7. Functions of abolished agencies.
Status: in_force

All powers, duties, and functions heretofore exercised by any division, bureau, or other agency abolished by chapter 660 of the Public Laws of 1939, or by the chief of any such division, bureau, or agency, shall be exercised by the head of the department or by the agency to which they are assigned in this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-1.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-12 / Section 42-12-1.2
§ 42-12-1.2. Transfer of functions from the former department of social welfare.
Status: in_force

There are hereby transferred to the director of the department of human services:

(1) Those functions of the former department of social welfare that were administered through or with respect to the division of correctional services to include generally and specifically, the correctional institutions, the probation services and other similar functions (titles 8, 12, 13, and 40); and the division of community services to include generally and specifically the administration of all forms of relief, child welfare services, and other related services (titles 8, 14, 30, and 40);

(2) All functions of the division of correctional services and division of community services formerly of the department of social welfare including the administration of interstate compacts and of all other officers, employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, or commissions of the division of correctional services and division of community services;

(3) So much of other functions or parts of functions of the former director of the department of social welfare as is incidental to or necessary for the performance of the functions transferred by subsections (1) and (2).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-24-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-24 / Section 42-24-3
§ 42-24-3. Record  Reports.
Status: in_force

The commission on uniform state laws shall keep a record of all its transactions and shall, at the January session in each year, and may at any other time, make a report of its doings and of its recommendations to the general assembly. The reports shall state in detail the nature and extent of the commissions investigations of the previous year and an outline of its proposed goals and projects for the forthcoming year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-55-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-55 / Section 42-55-5
§ 42-55-5. General powers.
Status: in_force

The corporation shall have all of the powers necessary and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter; including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power to:

(1) Sue and be sued in its own name;

(2) Have an official seal and alter it at pleasure;

(3) Have perpetual succession;

(4) Maintain an office in the city of Providence or at any other place or places within this state as it may designate;

(5) Adopt and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the corporation and the conduct of its business, and such bylaws, rules, and regulations may contain provisions indemnifying any person who is or was a commissioner, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a commissioner, director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, in the manner and to the extent provided in § 7-1.2-814;

(6) Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this chapter;

(7) Acquire real or personal property, or any interest therein, on either a temporary or long term basis in its own name by gift, purchase, transfer, foreclosure, lease, or otherwise, including rights or easements in property; to hold, sell, assign, lease, encumber, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property or any interest therein; to hold, sell, assign, or otherwise dispose of any mortgage interest owned by it or under its control, custody or in its possession; and to release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien, interest, easement, or demand, however acquired, including any equity or right of redemption in property foreclosed by it, and to do any of the foregoing by public or private sale, with or without public bidding, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law;

(8) Enter into agreements or other transactions with and accept grants and the cooperation of the United States or any governmental agency or instrumentality thereof or of the state or any governmental agency or instrumentality thereof in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the development, maintenance, operation, and financing of any housing development, housing project, or healthcare facility, and to do any and all things necessary in order to avail itself of such aid and cooperation;

(9) Make contracts with the state or any governmental agency thereof, municipalities, and counties of the state, the federal government, public corporations or bodies, and private corporations or individuals;

(10) Receive and accept aid or contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter subject to the conditions upon which the grants and contributions may be made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants from any governmental agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state for payment of rent supplements to eligible persons or families or for the payment in whole or in part of the interest expense for a housing development, housing project, or healthcare facility or for any other purpose consistent with this chapter;

(11) Provide, contract, or arrange for consolidated processing of any aspect of a housing development, housing project, or healthcare facility in order to avoid duplication thereof by either undertaking that processing in whole or in part on behalf of any governmental agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of this state, or, in the alternative, to delegate the processing in whole or in part to any governmental agency or instrumentality;

(12) Stimulate environmental planning for housing for persons of low and moderate income in order to enhance opportunities of those persons for self-development and employment;

(13) Employ architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, housing construction and financial experts, and any other advisors, consultants, and agents that may be necessary in its judgment and to fix their compensation;

(14) Procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, including mortgages and mortgage loans, in any amounts and from any insurers as it deems desirable;

(15) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or note holders, invest monies of the corporation not required for immediate use, including proceeds from the sale of any bonds or notes, in any securities, obligations, time or other deposit accounts as shall be permitted by law for investment or deposit of state funds by the general treasurer and in secured promissory notes held by municipal corporations which notes represent the borrowings by third parties of federal grants;

(16) Include in any borrowing any amount deemed necessary by the corporation to pay financing charges, interest on these obligations for any period the corporation shall permit, consultant, advisory and legal fees, and those other expenses that are necessary or incident to this borrowing;

(17) Subject to any agreements with bondholders or note holders, to purchase bonds or notes of the corporation out of any funds or money of the corporation available for this purpose, and to hold, cancel, or resell those bonds or notes;

(18) Make and publish rules and regulations respecting its lending programs and any other rules and regulations that are necessary to effectuate its corporate purposes;

(19) Make and execute contracts with mortgage bankers or other financial institutions in this state for the servicing of mortgages acquired by the corporation pursuant to this chapter, and pay the reasonable value of services rendered to the corporation pursuant to these contracts;

(20) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or note holders, renegotiate, refinance, or foreclose, or contract for the foreclosure of, any mortgage in default; waive any default or consent to the modification of the terms of any mortgage; commence any action to protect or enforce any right conferred upon it by any law, mortgage, contract, or other agreement, and bid for and purchase property at any foreclosure or at any other sale, or acquire or take possession of property; operate, manage, lease, dispose of, and otherwise deal with this property, in any manner necessary to protect the interest of the corporation and the holders of its bonds, notes, and other obligations;

(21) Borrow money and issue bonds and notes or other evidences of indebtedness;

(22) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or note holders, consent to any modification with respect to rate of interest, time, and payment of any installment of principal or interest security or any other term of any contract, mortgage, mortgage loan, mortgage loan commitment, contract, or agreement of any kind to which the corporation is a party;

(23) Procure or agree to the procurement of insurance or guarantees from the federal government or any governmental agency or instrumentality thereof, or from any private insurance company, of the payment of any bonds or notes or any other evidences of indebtedness issued by the corporation including the power to pay premiums on that insurance;

(24) Insure long-term mortgage loans made by mortgage lenders approved by the corporation to eligible housing sponsors as determined by the corporation. The corporation may establish any terms and conditions it deems necessary for the supervision of the holders of corporation insured loans and for its insurance program, including the maximum amount which may be insured, maximum interest rates, down payment requirements, refinancing terms, insurance premium requirements, and remedies on default or foreclosure;

(25) Make temporary loans, with or without interest, to eligible housing sponsors of single-family residential housing units to be owned and occupied by the sponsor to defray down payment costs and charges on mortgage loans purchased or made by the corporation;

(26) Make and undertake to make any and all contracts and agreements, including the payment of fees, with mortgage lenders in this state for assistance rendered to the corporation;

(27) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or note holders, to purchase and make commitments for the purchase of, to invest in, and dispose of securities or other obligations issued by mortgage lenders to finance residential housing for persons and families of low and moderate income, including, but not limited to, securities or other obligations payable from, backed by or otherwise evidencing an interest in mortgages securing mortgage loans to finance residential housing for persons and families of low and moderate income;

(28) To the extent permitted under its contract with the holders of bonds, bond anticipation notes and other obligations, enter into contracts with any mortgagor containing provisions enabling the mortgagor to reduce the rental or carrying charges to families of persons unable to pay the regular schedule of charges for housing where, by reason of other income or payment from any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or this state, the reductions can be made without jeopardizing the economic stability of housing being financed;

(29) Establish any programs of compensation, including deferred compensation and retirement plans, as the commissioner may deem appropriate;

(30) Do any and all things necessary or convenient to carrying out its purposes and exercise the powers given and granted in this chapter;

(31) Issue assurances and guarantees and to secure them with any collateral that the corporation may deem appropriate;

(32) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, to make subsidies in furtherance of its corporate purposes, whether in the form of interest cost savings or otherwise, and to require a recipient thereof to repay all or any portion of that subsidy upon those terms and conditions that the corporation may establish;

(33) Establish an insurance fund and to insure therefrom, either alone or in conjunction with private enterprise, the state, the United States, or any governmental agency or instrumentality thereof, mortgage loans or participations whether or not made or acquired by the corporation;

(34) Establish an equal employment and affirmative action program applicable to direct and indirect recipients of funds of the corporation; and

(35) To administer and manage Section 8 tenant based certificate programs and Section 8 rental voucher programs in those municipalities that do not have a local housing authority and in those municipalities whose local housing authority elects to contract with Rhode Island housing mortgage and finance corporation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-13 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-12 / Section 42-12-13
§ 42-12-13. Acceptance and use of gifts.
Status: in_force

The department of human services is hereby authorized and empowered to accept and use gifts made unconditionally by will or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of this chapter. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the state department of human services are proper and consistent with the provisions of this chapter may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested, and used in accordance with the conditions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-125-8 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-125 / Section 42-125-8
§ 42-125-8. Liberal construction.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally in order to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-9-6.1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-9 / Section 42-9-6.1
§ 42-9-6.1. Annual report of defense of challenged legislation.
Status: in_force

(a) The attorney general shall annually on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year submit a report to the general assembly showing the transactions of the attorney generals office and that of any special counsel appointed by or through the attorney generals office during the previous calendar year in relation to the defense of legislation passed by the general assembly that has been challenged on the grounds that it violates a provision of either the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the state of Rhode Island.

(b) The report shall include: (1) the name of each case; (2) the bill number of the challenged legislation; (3) the court in which the case was filed; (4) whether the case is being handled directly by the attorney generals office and/or the name of additional special counsel that have been appointed; (5) a summary of the proceedings including any final disposition of the case; and (6) the cost to the state, as near as may be ascertained, for defending each case.

(c) This report shall be a public document.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-45-9.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-45 / Section 42-45-9.2
§ 42-45-9.2. Investment of funds.
Status: in_force

All monies received as provided by § 42-45-9.1 shall be paid to the general treasurer who shall keep the funds in the historic preservation easement fund. The general treasurer may invest the funds in accordance with chapter 10 of title 35, until the funds are required for payment of costs of operating and maintaining the easements.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-73-2.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-73 / Section 42-73-2.2
§ 42-73-2.2. Duties.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be the duty of the advisory committee to provide advice and support to the child advocate related to the duties described in § 42-73-7. The committees duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Establish a regular meeting schedule and form subcommittees as may be appropriate;

(2) Meet with the child advocate and staff to review and assess patterns of treatment and services, policy implications, and necessary systemic improvements;

(3) Provide an annual report on its activities and recommendations in conjunction with the child advocate, and submit the report to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, on or by December 31, 2015, and annually thereafter.

(b) The advisory committee shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of § 42-73-10.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-125-5.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-125 / Section 42-125-5.2
§ 42-125-5.2. Chair and other officers.
Status: in_force

Upon the passage of this act, the council shall elect from among its members a chair. Thereafter, the council shall annually elect in February a chair from among the members. The council may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems necessary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-3.5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-28 / Section 42-28-3.5
§ 42-28-3.5. Blue Alert system.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established a statewide alert system known as Blue Alert which shall be developed and implemented by the division of state police.

(b) As used in this section, the term:

(1) Law enforcement agency means a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the search for a suspect in a case involving the death or serious injury of a peace officer or an agency employing a peace officer who is missing in the line of duty.

(2) Peace officer means a person who is certified to exercise the powers of arrest.

(c) The Blue Alert system may be activated when a suspect for a crime involving the death or serious injury of a peace officer has not been apprehended and law enforcement personnel have determined that the suspect may be a serious threat to the public and also when a peace officer becomes missing while in the line of duty under circumstances warranting concern for such peace officers safety.

(d) Upon notification by a law enforcement agency that a suspect in a case involving the death or serious injury of a peace officer has not been apprehended and may be a serious threat to the public, or that a police officer is missing in the line of duty under circumstances warranting concern for such peace officers safety, the division shall activate the Blue Alert system and notify appropriate participants in the Blue Alert system, as established by rule, if:

(1) A law enforcement agency believes that a suspect has not been apprehended;

(2) A law enforcement agency believes that the suspect may be a serious threat to the public; and

(3) Sufficient information is available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the suspect, or the missing peace officer. The area of the alert may be less than statewide if the division determines that the nature of the event makes it probable that the suspect did not leave a certain geographic location.

(e) Before requesting activation of the Blue Alert system, a law enforcement agency shall verify that the criteria described in subsection (d) of this section has been satisfied. The law enforcement agency shall assess the appropriate boundaries of the alert based on the nature of the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the crime or the last known location of the missing peace officer.

(f) The division shall terminate the Blue Alert with respect to a particular incident if:

(1) The suspect or peace officer is located or the incident is otherwise resolved; or

(2) The division determines that the Blue Alert system is no longer an effective tool for locating the suspect or peace officer. Law enforcement agencies shall notify the division immediately when the suspect is located and in custody or the peace officer is found.

(i) Any entity or individual involved in the dissemination of a Blue Alert generated pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages arising from such dissemination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-10-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-10 / Section 42-10-2
§ 42-10-2. Bond of treasurer.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer shall, before entering upon the duties of the general treasurers office, give bond to the state with sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the governor in the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), for the true and faithful discharge of the duties of the general treasurers office; which bond shall be deposited with and kept by the secretary of state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-142-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-142 / Section 42-142-1
§ 42-142-1. Department of revenue.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established within the executive branch of state government a department of revenue.

(b) The head of the department shall be the director of revenue, who shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

(c) The department shall contain the division of taxation (chapter 1 of title 44), the division of motor vehicles (chapter 2 of title 31), the division of state lottery (chapter 61 of this title), the office of revenue analysis (this chapter), the division of municipal finance (this chapter), and a central collections unit (this chapter). Any reference to the division of property valuation, division of property valuation and municipal finance, or office of municipal affairs in the Rhode Island general laws shall mean the division of municipal finance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-125-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-125 / Section 42-125-2
§ 42-125-2. Legislative findings and declaration of public policy.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly finds that greenways:

(1) Provide transportation opportunities for people, animals, plants, and water;

(2) Connect natural, historical, and cultural resources and communities;

(3) Are themselves habitat and natural resource areas;

(4) Enhance scenic quality;

(5) Promote economic development and are a tourism asset;

(6) Assist in the management of storm water and floods;

(7) Improve water and air quality;

(8) Foster environmental awareness and are educationally beneficial;

(9) Offer recreational opportunities, including walking, hiking, jogging, biking, and canoeing; and

(10) Contribute to the establishment, re-establishment, and maintenance of larger natural and social systems.

(b) It is, therefore, declared that the development of systems of greenways is in the public interest and necessary to securing the public health and welfare of the people of the state and important to improving and maintaining the ecological health and quality of life in Rhode Island.

(c) The general assembly further finds that in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state, greenways are being created and maintained by individuals, local citizen groups, nonprofit organizations, local and state government, and with the assistance of the National Park Service, and that these efforts would be strengthened and advanced by:

(1) Formal recognition of the states interest in greenways.

(2) Regular, formal coordination among state departments and agencies engaged in or assisting with the creation and maintenance of greenways.

(3) Public information about the location of recreational and cultural resources and greenways in the state.

(d) It is, therefore, declared that the development and use of systems of greenways is a policy of the state and that the implementation of this policy through coordinated state government activity is the purpose of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-4-8 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-4 / Section 42-4-8
§ 42-4-8. State tree.
Status: in_force

The tree commonly known as the red maple (acer rubrum) is hereby designated as the state tree.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-6-15 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-6 / Section 42-6-15
§ 42-6-15. Information technology projects.
Status: in_force

For all requests for proposals that are issued for information technology projects, a corresponding information technology project manager shall be assigned.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-49-4 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-49 / Section 42-49-4
§ 42-49-4. Personnel.
Status: in_force

The governor is empowered to appoint the personnel necessary for the orderly function of the little state houses, and to provide the training, support, and compensation necessary to ensure that these personnel are skilled in human relations techniques and have a wide knowledge of the services provided by state government.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-148-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-148 / Section 42-148-3
§ 42-148-3. Preclosure analysis.
Status: in_force

(a) Prior to the closure, consolidation, or privatization of any state facility, function, or program, the director of administration or the directors designee, shall conduct a thorough cost comparison analysis and evaluate quality performance concerns before deciding to purchase services from private vendors rather than provide services directly.

(b) The director of administration shall notify the bargaining representatives of state employees who will be directly impacted by a potential privatization in writing at least six (6) months in advance of its consideration of privatizing a state service and complete the following process:

(1) Document the current in-house costs of providing the services with a detailed budget breakdown. The in-house cost shall include any department overhead and other costs that would continue even if the service was contracted out.

(2) Prepare a statement of work and performance standards which shall form the basis for the requests for proposals and which shall include the following:

(i) A clear statement of work with measurable performance standards including qualitative as well as quantitative standards that bidders must meet or exceed;

(ii) Requirements that contractors meet affirmative action, disability and other nondiscriminatory and service standards currently required of state agencies.

(iii) A clear format that will enable comparison of competitive bids and in-house bids. The format must require detailed budget breakdowns.

(c) Prior to the issuance of the RFP, current public employees must be notified of the intent to solicit bid proposals and of the decision timeline. Additionally, at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the issuing of a request for proposals, the cost analysis and statement of work shall be sent to the bargaining representatives of state employees who will be directly impacted by a potential privatization.

(d) Prior to, or up until the time when a prospective offeror is required to submit to the state a proposal for a privatization contract, directly impacted state employees and their bargaining representatives shall be afforded an opportunity to present a new cost estimate, reflecting any innovations that they could incorporate into the work performance standards. This new cost estimate shall be deemed an in-house bid, which shall form the basis for the eventual cost comparison. The director shall provide technical and informational assistance to the in-house state work group in its preparation of an in-house bid.

(e) Prior to or at any time before or after the normal procurement process, the director may elect to accept the in-house bid or proceed with the normal procurement process which must:

(1) Incorporate the statement of work and performance standards; and

(2) Require bidders to meet the same statement of work performance standards as would be expected by an in-house cost estimate; and

(3) Include bid forms requiring a sufficiently detailed breakdown of cost categories to allow accurate and meaningful comparisons, if applicable.

(f) The in-house bid developed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be kept confidential from bidders.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-10-14 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-10 / Section 42-10-14
§ 42-10-14. Medium of bond payments.
Status: in_force

The interest and principal of all notes or bonds of this state when due, shall be paid in gold coin of the United States of the present standard of weight and fineness, or its equivalent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-13-9 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-13 / Section 42-13-9
§ 42-13-9. Monthly snapshot reports to be prepared by the department of transportation.
Status: in_force

(a) As used herein:

(1) The term actions refers to actions and efforts undertaken on the Washington Bridge, including, but not limited to, repairs, alterations, and replacement of the bridge or any portion thereof.

(2) The term snapshot report refers to the Washington Bridge snapshot report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(3) The term time period covered by the report refers to the calendar month immediately preceding the filing of the snapshot report.

(4) The term Washington Bridge or bridge refers to a series of three structures that traverse the Seekonk River and connect India Point in the city of Providence to Watchemoket Square in the city of East Providence, and which structures carry highways including Interstate 195, U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 44, and U.S. Route 1A.

(b)(1) The department of transportation (the department) shall prepare and provide, on a monthly basis, a report that shall be deemed the Washington Bridge snapshot report. The snapshot report shall provide the general assembly with the information set forth in this section in order to enable the general assembly to provide effective oversight as well as assistance to the department in addressing ongoing developments with respect to the Washington Bridge. The obligation of the department to provide the snapshot reports shall expire upon completion of the restoration of the Washington Bridge, as certified by the department.

(2) Within thirty (30) days of the passage of this act, a copy of the snapshot report shall be filed on the first day of each month with:

(i) The speaker of the house;

(ii) The president of the senate;

(iii) The office of the governor;

(iv) The chairpersons of the house finance committee and house oversight committee; and

(v) The chairpersons of the senate finance committee and senate oversight committee.

(3) The snapshot report shall, at a minimum, contain information as described in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.

(c) The snapshot report shall contain the following:

(1) An updated timeline regarding actions to be undertaken on the Washington Bridge, including, but not limited to, repairs, alterations, or replacement of all or any portion of the bridge.

(2) A list of consulting firms retained or utilized by the department in regard to any actions.

(3) Data on traffic patterns over the bridge for the time period covered by the report, including:

(i) Adjustments or anticipated adjustments made to traffic patterns over the bridge, including alternate routes and alternative modes of transportation to circumvent passage across the bridge;

(ii) The number, location, and time of all accidents, including motor vehicle, pedestrian, cyclists, and construction personnel, on the bridge;

(iii) The number, location, and time of all motor vehicle breakdowns on the bridge; and

(iv) Issues with emergency vehicles, including, but not limited to, access to the bridge by emergency vehicles and delays with emergency vehicles crossing the bridge.

(4) Data on traffic delays for the time period covered by the report, including:

(i) Average and maximum traffic delay times during the weekday morning rush hours of seven (7:00) AM to ten (10:00) AM, and the afternoon rush hours of three (3:00) PM to six (6:00) PM; and

(ii) Average and maximum traffic delay times during weekends and holidays, and the time of those delays.

(5) An overview of costs related to actions on the bridge, including:

(i) The projected costs for repairing the bridge and for replacing the bridge, and any combination thereof and for any segments or portions thereof;

(ii) The overtime costs submitted to the department for reimbursement for traffic details, and police, fire, rescue, school, and related costs for the time period covered by the report;

(iii) An overview of the direct effects, as best can be determined, on streets and roads in East Providence and Providence impacted by the bridge closure, with an emphasis on increased motor vehicle traffic and congestion on those streets and roads, for the time period covered by the report; and

(iv) Any data received by the department relating to any health effects on residents in the vicinity of the bridge caused by increased motor vehicle traffic and congestion.

(6) Any updates pertaining to pending investigations and audits related to the bridge.

(7) Responses to questions submitted by the chair of the house oversight committee and the chair of the senate oversight committee within each successive snapshot report.

(d) Upon receipt of information reflecting an unexpected change in the anticipated progress in repairing or replacing the Washington Bridge, the department shall promptly transmit the information to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house rather than delay until the next snapshot report due date.

(e) Each snapshot report shall be made public on the departments website, including any website maintained by the department to specifically address the actions being taken on the Washington Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-102-7 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-102 / Section 42-102-7
§ 42-102-7. Authority.
Status: in_force

(a) The workforce board (board) shall have all authority necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The board shall adopt a mission statement, goals and objectives, policies, and a biennial plan to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The council shall have primary responsibility to approve and certify all employment and training programs. To the extent that there is a conflict between federal law and this section, federal law shall prevail.

(b) The board shall develop policy and procedures whereby those entities not meeting the goals and objectives of the council may be sanctioned. In addition, the board shall also:

(1) Establish and publish standards for considering projects and awarding grants;

(2) Provide ongoing evaluation of each project funded by the board;

(3) Provide for fiscal and accounting controls to monitor and audit grants and awards; and

(4) Adopt bylaws consistent with this chapter, which bylaws shall include provisions for the creation of an audit committee and a governance committee.

(c) The board shall annually prepare and submit a proposed budget for the ensuing year for the governors approval.

(d) The auditor general shall conduct annual audits of all financial accounts and any other audits that the auditor general shall deem necessary.

(e) The board shall ensure that, for those contracts or grants characterized as training or upgrading, the administrative expenses of the private or public entity awarded the contract or grant shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total contract or grant.

(f) The board may receive any gifts, grants, or donations made and disburse and administer them in accordance with the terms thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-6-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-6 / Section 42-6-1
§ 42-6-1. Enumeration of departments.
Status: in_force

All the administrative powers and duties heretofore vested by law in the several state departments, boards, divisions, bureaus, commissions, and other agencies shall be vested in the following departments and other agencies that are specified in this title:

(a) Executive department (chapter 7 of this title);

(b) Department of state (chapter 8 of this title);

(c) Department of the attorney general (chapter 9 of this title);

(d) Treasury department (chapter 10 of this title);

(e) Department of administration (chapter 11 of this title);

(f) Department of business regulation (chapter 14 of this title);

(g) Department of children, youth and families (chapter 72 of this title);

(h) Department of corrections (chapter 56 of this title);

(i) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 12.]

(j) Department of elementary and secondary education (chapter 60 of title 16);

(k) Department of environmental management (chapter 17.1 of this title);

(l) Department of health (chapter 18 of this title);

(m) Board of governors for higher education (chapter 59 of title 16);

(n) Department of labor and training (chapter 16.1 of this title);

(o) Department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals (chapter 12.1 of this title);

(p) Department of human services (chapter 12 of this title);

(q) Department of transportation (chapter 13 of this title);

(r) Public utilities commission (chapter 14.3 of this title);

(s) Department of revenue (chapter 142 of this title);

(t) Department of public safety (chapter 7.3 of this title).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-148-8 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-148 / Section 42-148-8
§ 42-148-8. Applicability.
Status: in_force

(a) The process set forth in this chapter shall apply to privatization contracts as defined in § 42-148-2(5).

(b) Notwithstanding any general law or special law to the contrary, no award shall be made or privatization contract entered into by the state of Rhode Island unless and until the processes and procedures outlined in §§ 42-148-3, 42-148-4, and 42-148-5 have been fully complied with in their entirety. All of the aforementioned sections shall apply to all pending awards and pending privatization contracts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-60-6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-60 / Section 42-60-6
§ 42-60-6. Powers of the governor.
Status: in_force

Upon the issuance of an executive order declaring the existence of an energy crisis, the governor shall have the following powers:

(1) To cooperate with the president of the United States and federal departments, agencies, and independent establishments, and the offices and agencies of other states in matters pertaining to the energy crisis; and in connection with the energy crisis, to take any measures that the governor may deem proper to carry into effect any request of the president and any other federal officers and agencies that may be charged with responsibilities related to the energy crisis management effort, the protection of the public peace, health, and safety, or the preservation of life, property, and the operation of the economy and society within this state; and

(2) To use and employ within the state, from time to time, and as the governor may deem expedient, any of the property, services, and resources of the state for the purposes set forth in this chapter; and

(3) To employ any measures and give any directions to state and local officers and agencies that may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with the orders, rules, and regulations made pursuant to this chapter; and

(4) To utilize the services and facilities of existing officers, offices, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, institutions, and other agencies of the state and of the political subdivisions of the state; and all officers and agencies shall cooperate with and extend their services and facilities to the governor as the governor may request; and

(5) To establish and implement any programs and plans that the governor deems necessary to control and regulate all energy or energy resources; and

(6) To take any other action that may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state and to preserve their lives and property during the energy crisis. These powers or actions including all contracts, transfers, leases, or loans executed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall terminate and be revoked upon termination of the crisis as set forth in this chapter, and these termination provisions shall be included in all contracts, transfers, leases, or loans entered into pursuant to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-28 / Section 42-28-2
§ 42-28-2. Establishment  Superintendent  General duties.
Status: in_force

Within the department of public safety there shall be the Rhode Island state police. The head of the state police shall be the superintendent of state police who shall be a qualified police administrator and shall be appointed by the governor, shall serve at the governors pleasure, and shall have the rank of full colonel. The state police shall perform the duties required by this chapter; and chapter 47 of title 11; and by all other provisions of the general laws and public laws, insofar as those powers and duties relate to the Rhode Island state police and the superintendent of state police. The superintendent shall appoint and supervise such officers as may be required by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-128-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-128 / Section 42-128-2
§ 42-128-2. Rhode Island housing resources and homelessness restricted receipt account created.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established a restricted receipt account within the general fund of the state known as the Housing Resources and Homelessness restricted receipt account. Funds from this account shall be administered by the executive office of housing and shall be used to provide for housing and homelessness initiatives including housing production, lead hazard abatement, housing rental subsidy, housing retention assistance, and homelessness services and prevention assistance with priority to veterans. The executive office of housing will consider input from the advisory council on housing and homelessness on the use of the restricted receipt funds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-147-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-147 / Section 42-147-3
§ 42-147-3. Authority to accept grants.
Status: in_force

In addition to any of its other powers and responsibilities, the commission is authorized and empowered to accept any grants made available by the United States government or any agency of the United States government and the commission, with the approval of the governor, is authorized and empowered to perform these acts and enter into all necessary contracts and agreements with the United States or any agency of the United States government as may be necessary in the manner and degree as shall be deemed to be in the best interest of the state. The proceeds of grants received shall be paid to the general treasurer of the state and be deposited by the general treasurer in a separate fund and shall be utilized for the purposes of those grants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-131-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-131 / Section 42-131-1
§ 42-131-1. Creation of council.
Status: in_force

There is created and established an intergovernmental relations council of Rhode Island to be referred to as the council. The legislative authority for the council shall cease as of June 30, 2005, unless the council is continued under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-1
§ 42-56-1. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The state has a basic obligation to protect the public by providing institutional confinement and care of offenders and evidence-based probation and parole supervision and, where appropriate, treatment in the community;

(2) Efforts to rehabilitate and restore criminal offenders as law-abiding and productive members of society are essential to the reduction of crime;

(3) Maintaining the quality and effectiveness of correctional institutions and rehabilitative services, both inside and outside correctional institutions, deserves priority consideration as a means of lowering crime rates and of preventing offenders, particularly youths, first-offenders, and misdemeanants, from becoming trapped in careers of crime; and

(4) Correctional institutions, supervision, and services should be so diversified in program and personnel as to facilitate individualized treatment.

(b) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a department of state government to provide for the supervision, custody, care, discipline, training, and treatment of persons committed to state correctional institutions or on probation or parole, so that those persons may be prepared for release, aftercare, and supervision in the community.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-14-6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-14 / Section 42-14-6
§ 42-14-6. Restrictions on interests of superintendents.
Status: in_force

The superintendents of banking and insurance shall not engage in any other business or be an officer of or directly or indirectly interested in any national bank doing business in this state, or in any bank, savings bank, or trust company organized under the laws of this state, nor be directly or indirectly interested in any corporation, business, or occupation that requires the superintendents official supervision; absent compliance with § 42-14-6.1, no superintendent shall become indebted to any bank, savings bank, or trust company organized under the laws of this state, nor shall the superintendent engage or be interested in the sale of securities as a business, or in the negotiation of loans for others.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-8 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-8
§ 42-64-8. Directors, officers, and employees.
Status: in_force

(a) The powers of the Rhode Island commerce corporation shall be vested in a board of directors consisting of thirteen (13) members.

(1) The governor shall serve as a member of the board and as chairperson, ex-officio, who shall vote only in the event of a tie.

(2) In addition to the governor, the membership of the board shall consist of twelve (12) public members to be appointed by the governor.

(3) Each gubernatorial appointee shall be subject to the advice and consent of the senate and no one shall be eligible for appointment unless he or she is a resident of this state. The membership of the board shall reflect the geographic diversity of the state. Four (4) of the public members shall be owners or principals of small businesses doing business in this state which are independently owned and operated and which employs one hundred (100) or fewer persons. One other of the public members shall be a representative of organized labor. One other of the public members shall be a representative of higher education. One other of the public members shall be a representative from the governors workforce board. One other of the public members shall be a representative of a minority business. One other of the public members shall be appointed on an interim basis by the governor when a project plan of the corporation situated on federal land is disapproved by the governing body of a municipality in accordance with § 42-64-13(a)(4). The member shall be the mayor of the municipality within whose borders all or a majority of the project plan is to be carried out, or in a municipality that has no mayor, the member shall be the president of the town or city council. The appointed interim member shall have all the powers of other members of the board only in its deliberations and action on the disapproval of the project plan situated on federal land and within the borders of the interim member's municipality. Upon final action by the board pursuant to § 42-64-13(a)(5), the interim members term of appointment shall automatically terminate.

(4) It shall be the responsibility of the corporation to conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex-officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the executive director of the corporation or the executive director's designee, be approved by the board, and conducted by the executive director or the executive director's designee. The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of the entirety of chapter 64 of this title and of chapter 46 of this title, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38 of the Rhode Island general laws; and the boards rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of July 15, 2005, prepare and disseminate materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of this title, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.

(5) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor, pursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

(6) The terms for the members of the board of directors were established by the appointment of twelve (12) directors in 2010 with the directors initial terms expiring as follows: three (3) members shall have terms expiring on February 1, 2011; three (3) members shall have terms expiring on February 1, 2012; three (3) members shall have terms expiring on February 1, 2013; and three (3) members shall have terms expiring on February 1, 2014. Beginning in 2011 and annually thereafter, during the month of January, the governor shall appoint a member or members to succeed the member or members whose terms will then next expire to serve for a term of four (4) years commencing on the first day of February and then next following, and thereafter until the successors are appointed and qualified. Beginning in 2011 and annually thereafter, the governor shall appoint owners or principals of small businesses doing business in this state that are independently owned and operated, and that employ one hundred (100) or fewer persons. The members of the board shall be eligible to succeed themselves, but only upon reappointment and with senate advice and consent.

(7) In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of a member by death, resignation, or otherwise, that vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment, but only for the remainder of the term of the former member.

(b) The directors shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties under this chapter, but each director shall be reimbursed for the director's reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out those duties. A director may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business.

(c) The chairperson shall designate a vice chairperson from among the members of the board who shall serve at the pleasure of the chairperson. A majority of directors holding office shall constitute a quorum, and, except as otherwise provided in § 42-64-13, any action to be taken by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution approved by a majority of the directors present and entitled to vote at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present. A vacancy in the membership of the board of directors shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all of the rights and perform all of the duties of the corporation.

(d) The chief executive officer of the corporation shall be executive director of the corporation until such time that the secretary of commerce is appointed. Upon the appointment of a secretary of commerce, the secretary of commerce shall be the commerce corporations chief executive officer and responsible for the management of the corporation. There shall be a chief operating officer (COO) of the corporation and he/she shall be appointed by the secretary of commerce. The COO shall be the chief administrative officer of the corporation and responsible for the day-to-day management of the corporation. The COO shall be a professional in the area of economic development; management of economic development corporations; and shall hold the requisite experience and education as established by the secretary and board.

(e) The board of directors shall appoint a secretary and such additional officers and staff members as they shall deem appropriate and shall determine the amount of reasonable compensation, if any, each shall receive. The board of directors may vest in the executive director, or the directors subordinates, and, upon the appointment of a secretary of commerce, the chief operating officer or the chief operating officers subordinates, the authority to appoint additional staff members and to determine the amount of compensation each individual shall receive.

(f) No full-time employee shall, during the period of the employee's employment by the corporation, engage in any other private employment, profession, or business, except with the approval of the board of directors.

(g) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, it shall not be or constitute a conflict of interest for a director, officer, or employee of any financial institution, investment banking firm, brokerage firm, commercial bank, trust company, building-loan association, architecture firm, insurance company, or any other firm, person, or corporation to serve as a director of the corporation, nor shall any contract or transaction between the corporation and a financial institution, investment banking firm, brokerage firm, commercial bank, trust company, building-loan association, architecture firm, insurance company, or other firm, person, or corporation be void or voidable by reason of that service as director of the corporation. If any director, officer, or employee of the corporation shall be interested either directly or indirectly, or shall be a director, officer, or employee of or have an ownership interest (other than as the owner of less than one percent (1%) of the shares of a publicly-held corporation) in any firm or corporation interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the corporation, that interest shall be disclosed to the corporation and set forth in the minutes of the corporation, and the director, officer, or employee having that ownership interest shall not participate on behalf of the corporation in the authorization of that contract. Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors of the corporation that authorizes the contract or transaction.

(h) Any action taken by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by vote at any regular or special meeting and each vote shall take effect immediately. The corporation shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 46 of this title (Open Meetings) and chapter 2 of title 38 (Access to Public Records).

(i) The board of directors may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees each of which, to the extent authorized by the board of directors, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors, but no executive committee shall have the authority of the board of directors in reference to the disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the corporation, amending the bylaws of the corporation; exercising the condemnation power conferred upon the corporation by § 42-64-9; or taking actions described or referred to in § 42-64-13(a).

(j) The board shall create a capital finance subcommittee that shall be responsible for drafting for board approval a set of guidelines, principals, and processes for all loans, loan guarantees, and financing programs. The guidelines shall contain a set of metrics that the board can use to determine the effectiveness of each program and to inform the governor and the general assembly of the outcome of the various programs and to determine if there is need for modification, continuance, or termination. The guidelines shall also contain measures to annually review the outstanding loan and loan guarantee programs to determine if the loans and loan guarantees were granted in accordance with the boards guidelines and principals and to determine the risk factors normally used by lending institutions to determine risk and potential for repayment. The board shall also implement the provisions of §§ 42-64-36 and 42-64-37.

(k) Any action required by this chapter to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or any action that may be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or committee of the board of directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action to be taken, shall be signed before or after that action by all of the directors, or all of the members of the committee, as the case may be.

(l) Employees of the corporation shall not, by reason of their employment, be deemed to be employees of the state for any purpose, any other provision of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, chapters 29, 39, and 42 of title 28 and chapters 4, 8, 9, and 10 of title 36.

(m) The board shall create a set of metrics and reporting requirements to disclose the programs and services offered or provided by the corporation and the effectiveness of each offering. The board shall develop an annual report containing these metrics and shall submit the report to the governor and the general assembly. The annual report shall also contain recommendations for improving the business climate within the state and other actions the board deems necessary to improve its effectiveness.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.6 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-35 / Section 42-35-2.6
§ 42-35-2.6. Concise explanatory statement.
Status: in_force

At the time an agency files the final rule with the secretary of state, the agency shall issue a concise, explanatory statement, in a form prescribed by the secretary of state, which contains:

(1) The agencys reasons for creation of the rule, including the agencys reasons for not accepting arguments made in testimony and comments;

(2) Subject to § 42-35-6.1, the reasons for any change between the text of the proposed rule contained in the notice of proposed rulemaking and the text of the final rule; and

(3) Any regulatory analysis prepared under § 42-35-2.9.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-20 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-72 / Section 42-72-20
§ 42-72-20. Transfer determinations.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of administration, with the approval of the governor, shall make the conclusive determination of the number of positions, personnel, property, records, and appropriation balances, allocations and other funds of the department of human services, department of corrections, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and department of community affairs to be transferred to the department of children, youth and families in connection with the functions transferred by the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Any further measures and dispositions that the director of administration, with the approval of the governor, deems necessary in order to effectuate the transfer of functions provided in this chapter shall be carried out as the director may direct and by the agencies the director designates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-4-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-4 / Section 42-4-1
§ 42-4-1. Arms of state.
Status: in_force

The arms of the state are a golden anchor on a blue field, and the motto thereof is the word Hope.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-45-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-45 / Section 42-45-5
§ 42-45-5. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

(a) The commission shall:

(1) Establish criteria for evaluating historical, architectural, or cultural sites, buildings, places, landmarks, or areas so as to determine their value in terms of national, state, or local importance and to adjudge their worthiness for inclusion in the state register;

(2) Compile, maintain, and publish a state register of historical, architectural, and cultural sites, buildings, places, landmarks, and areas that shall be revised every two (2) years. The state, a city or town, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof shall not undertake, fund, or license any activity that will encroach upon, damage, or destroy, physically, visually, or environmentally, any site, building, place, landmark, or area included in the state register without first obtaining the advice of the historical preservation and heritage commission. The commission shall advise the party proposing an activity affecting any item in the state register of its opinion in writing, together with any maps, drawings, photographs, or material necessary to explain or support its advisory. If a written advisory is not given within sixty (60) days of receipt of notice of a proposed activity, the commission shall be deemed to approve the proposal. If more than sixty (60) days are needed to evaluate a proposed activity and render an advisory, arrangements for a reasonable extension shall be made by the commission and the party proposing the activity. Advisories rendered by the commission on any proposed activity affecting an item on the state register shall be followed unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so. In these cases, a statement of the reasons, together with a copy of the commissions advisory, shall be submitted to the governor for final determination;

(3)(i) Assist and advise the department of administration and other appropriate agencies designated by the governor in preparing that element or elements of the state guide plan dealing with plans and programs for the preservation of historic sites and structures.

(ii) There shall also be included in such state guide plan a program for preservation of historic landscapes, and state land-use planning which shall consider the impact of land-use on historic landscapes. To assist in preparation of those elements of the state guide plan dealing with the preservation of historic landscapes, the commission shall prepare and maintain a statewide inventory of historic landscapes;

(4) Prepare statewide plans or programs for the preservation of sites or structures included in the state register which shall list the methods, practices, and procedures to be used in preserving or according recognition to sites or buildings. The plans or programs shall be a part of the state guide plan;

(5) Cause to be prepared plaques or markers made of some suitable material to be erected on, or affixed to with the permission of the owner, in a conspicuous place, those sites or buildings determined worthy of inclusion in the state register;

(6) Acquire or receive, by purchase, gift, or otherwise, with the approval of the governor in the case of a gift and in accordance with chapter 6 of title 37 in other cases, land or any interest in land and/or buildings that have been designated in the state register for the purpose of preserving the land and/or buildings; hold and maintain them, and give custody of the acquisitions for the purpose of preserving, maintaining, or exhibiting them to qualified nonprofit organizations with due regard for the interest of the state and the public in the property;

(7) Grant or loan funds to towns or cities or private groups of funds made available therefor by the state or federal government, for the purpose of acquiring, restoring, relocating, or otherwise preserving land or buildings designated in the state register;

(8) Receive on behalf of the state such grants or loans as may be made by the federal government or by private persons or groups for the purposes of this chapter, and it shall be the designated agency of the state in applying for these grants;

(9) Inventory and catalog all buildings, sites, objects, and artifacts of historical, architectural, or archaeological interest that are within the custody or jurisdiction of the departments and agencies of state government. This inventory and catalog shall include buildings, ruins, and other structures, monuments, paintings, photographs, flags, furniture, clothing, military equipment and uniforms, archaeological materials, and all other articles of historic, architectural, or archaeological interest. All departments and agencies will assist the commission in making this inventory and catalog. The commission shall inform each department and agency of those items contained in the inventory that are within its custody or jurisdiction by furnishing copies of the catalog or an extract thereof to each department and agency concerned. Copies of all amendments to the catalog, or extracts thereof, shall also be furnished to each department and agency concerned;

(10) Advise the department and agencies of state government of the appropriateness, suitability, proper procedures, and other safeguards that should be observed in preserving, displaying, or using items contained in the catalog of articles of historic, architectural, or archaeological interest. When notified of any proposal to physically alter, change the location or method of storage, or change the manner of utilization or public accessibility, or to otherwise significantly affect any item listed in the catalog, the commission shall advise the responsible agency in writing, accompanied by any maps, drawings, photographs, or other explanatory material necessary. If a written advisory is not given within sixty (60) days of receipt of a notice of proposed action, the commission shall be deemed to approve the proposal. If more than sixty (60) days are needed to evaluate a proposal and render an advisory, arrangements for a reasonable extension shall be made by the commission and the department or agency concerned. Advisories given by the commission in accordance with this section shall be followed by the department or agency concerned unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so. In these cases, a statement of the reasons, together with a copy of the commissions advisory, shall be submitted to the governor for determination;

(11) Survey the use or occupancy of all state-owned buildings or sites that are of historic, architectural, or archaeological interest. The commission shall make recommendations to the director of administration concerning the appropriate use and availability of public access of each building and site, so that these may be utilized and displayed in a manner in keeping with their historic, architectural, or archaeological value;

(12) Appoint a state review board from among its own members and such other persons as it may desire, one of whom shall possess the background and qualifications of an historian, one of whom shall be an architect or architectural historian, and one of whom shall be an archaeologist as required by the office of archaeology and historic preservation in the national park service. The state review board shall approve nominations to the state and national registers of historic places, approve the removal of properties from either register, and otherwise act in an advisory capacity to the historical preservation and heritage commission;

(13) To implement a state-owned historic properties program, to provide technical assistance to agencies with jurisdiction over historic properties, and review proposed alterations to state-owned historic properties; the commission shall develop in conjunction herewith the educational materials to implement these programs;

(14) To reorganize the operation of and assume the supervisory responsibility for the following structures: the old State House, Benefit Street arsenal, Stephen Hopkins house (Providence), Bristol court house (Bristol), Kent County court house (East Greenwich). For purposes of this subsection, the commission shall appoint from its own members a historic sites division that shall implement the duties of this subsection;

(15) To promote heritage by sponsoring and/or coordinating heritage festivals; conducting and/or sponsoring heritage seminars, conferences, and symposiums; publishing scholarly and popular works relating to the social, political, and cultural development of the state; coordinating programs with other private or public groups or agencies that will meet the cultural needs of Rhode Islands citizens; observing important events in the states history with suitable celebrations; and funding projects and programs of public or private groups or agencies that relate to the heritage of Rhode Island and its people;

(16) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex-officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the commission, approved by the commission, and conducted by the chair of the commission. The commission may approve the use of any commission or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. It shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 25-15, 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the commissions rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [July 15, 2005], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of this title, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38; and

(17) To submit within (90) days after the end of the fiscal year an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, advisories rendered under subsection (a)(2), advisories rendered for activities to be undertaken by departments and agencies of the state under subsection (a)(10), studies conducted, policies and plans developed in order to assist other state agencies in preparing elements of the state guide plan, plans or programs developed for the preservation of sites or structures included in the state register, and any other programs administered or initiated including any assistance or training provided agencies with jurisdiction over historic places; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, grants or loans to towns, cities, or private groups, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative, or technical support received, and a summary of any land or interest in land and/or buildings received during the fiscal year; a review of the inventories complied as required in subsections (a)(2), (a)(3)(ii), and (a)(9); a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings, and remedies; a synopsis of any legal matters related to the authority of the commission; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to subsection (a)(16); a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of this provision.

(b) Whenever a public hearing on any project involving state or local governmental funds or a federal grant or loan is held, notice of it shall be sent to any historic district commission in the city or town and to the Rhode Island historical preservation and heritage commission, together with a map indicating the area and the type of project to be discussed at the hearing. Whenever an urban project plan is prepared through the use of, or contemplating the use of, state or local governmental funds, a copy shall be transmitted to the Rhode Island historical preservation and heritage commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-91-4 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-91 / Section 42-91-4
§ 42-91-4. Reports.
Status: in_force

The council shall serve as a continuing advisory body and shall report its recommendations to the governor and general assembly from time to time, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out the recommendations; provided, however, that the council shall file an annual report on or before January 30 each year with the governor and the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-11-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-11 / Section 42-11-2
§ 42-11-2. Powers and duties of department.
Status: in_force

The department of administration shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To prepare a budget for the several state departments and agencies, subject to the direction and supervision of the governor;

(2) To administer the budget for all state departments and agencies, except as specifically exempted by law;

(3) To devise, formulate, promulgate, supervise, and control accounting systems, procedures, and methods for the state departments and agencies, conforming to such accounting standards and methods as are prescribed by law;

(4) To purchase or to contract for the supplies, materials, articles, equipment, printing, and services needed by state departments and agencies, except as specifically exempted by law;

(5) To prescribe standard specifications for those purchases and contracts and to enforce compliance with specifications;

(6) To supervise and control the advertising for bids and awards for state purchases;

(7) To regulate the requisitioning and storage of purchased items, the disposal of surplus and salvage, and the transfer to or between state departments and agencies of needed supplies, equipment, and materials;

(8) To maintain, equip, and keep in repair the state house, state office building, and other premises owned or rented by the state for the use of any department or agency, excepting those buildings, the control of which is vested by law in some other agency;

(9) To provide for the periodic inspection, appraisal, or inventory of all state buildings and property, real and personal;

(10) To require reports from state agencies on the buildings and property in their custody;

(11) To issue regulations to govern the protection and custody of the property of the state;

(12) To assign office and storage space and to rent and lease land and buildings for the use of the several state departments and agencies in the manner provided by law;

(13) To control and supervise the acquisition, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of state-owned motor vehicles by state agencies;

(14) To maintain and operate central duplicating and mailing service for the several state departments and agencies;

(15) To furnish the several departments and agencies of the state with other essential office services;

(16) To survey and examine the administration and operation of the state departments and agencies, submitting to the governor proposals to secure greater administrative efficiency and economy, to minimize the duplication of activities, and to effect a better organization and consolidation of functions among state agencies;

(17) To operate a merit system of personnel administration and personnel management as defined in § 36-3-3 in connection with the conditions of employment in all state departments and agencies within the classified service;

(18) To assign or reassign, with the approval of the governor, any functions, duties, or powers established by this chapter to any agency within the department;

(19) To establish, maintain, and operate a data processing center or centers, approve the acquisition and use of electronic data processing services by state agencies, furnish staff assistance in methods, systems and programming work to other state agencies, and arrange for and effect the centralization and consolidation of punch card and electronic data processing equipment and services in order to obtain maximum utilization and efficiency;

(20) To devise, formulate, promulgate, supervise, and control a comprehensive and coordinated statewide information system designed to improve the database used in the management of public resources, to consult and advise with other state departments and agencies and municipalities to assure appropriate and full participation in this system, and to encourage the participation of the various municipalities of this state in this system by providing technical or other appropriate assistance toward establishing, within those municipalities, compatible information systems in order to obtain the maximum effectiveness in the management of public resources;

(i) The comprehensive and coordinated statewide information system may include a Rhode Island geographic information system of land-related economic, physical, cultural, and natural resources.

(ii) In order to ensure the continuity of the maintenance and functions of the geographic information system, the general assembly may annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to the department of administration for its support.

(iii) In order to establish a full, comprehensive, and integrated statewide geographic information system, and with input from the League of Cities and Towns, the department shall, by January 31, 2025, publish a report to the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and the secretary of housing, that evaluates:

(A) The cost to establish and maintain a statewide platform;

(B) The personnel needed to establish and maintain the system;

(C) The organizational changes, if any, needed;

(D) The data security costs and requirements;

(E) The types of data needed from agencies and local governments to maintain the system and the timeframe for obtaining that data; and

(F) Other items deemed integral to this goal;

In furtherance of the preparation of the plan, the department shall request surveys or reports from state agencies and cities and towns that detail whether the agency or municipality utilizes a geographic information system; what platform is used; the costs for such system on an annual basis; and what data is utilized in each respective system;

(21) To administer a statewide planning program including planning assistance to the state departments and agencies;

(22) To administer a statewide program of photography and photographic services;

(23) To negotiate with public or private educational institutions in the state, in cooperation with the department of health, for state support of medical education;

(24) To promote the expansion of markets for recovered material and to maximize their return to productive economic use through the purchase of materials and supplies with recycled content by the state of Rhode Island to the fullest extent practically feasible;

(25) To approve costs as provided in § 23-19-32;

(26) To provide all necessary civil service tests for individuals seeking employment as social workers at the department of human services at least once a quarter of each year and to maintain an adequate hiring list for this position at all times;

(27)(i) To prepare a report every three (3) months of all current property leases or rentals by any state agency to include the following information:

(A) Name of lessor;

(B) Description of the lease (purpose, physical characteristics, and location);

(C) Cost of the lease;

(D) Amount paid to date;

(E) Date initiated; and

(F) Date covered by the lease;

(ii) [Deleted by P.L. 2024, ch. 117, art. 10, § 2.]

(28) To prepare a report to the chairs of the house and senate finance committees by February 15, 2025, and each year thereafter of all current property owned by the state or leased by any state agency to include the following information:

(i) Total square feet for each building or leased space;

(ii) Total square feet for each building and space utilized as office space currently;

(iii) Location of each building or leased space;

(iv) Ratio and listing of buildings owned by the state versus leased;

(v) Total occupancy costs which shall include capital expenses, provided a proxy should be provided to compare properties that are owned versus leased by showing capital expenses on owned properties as a per square foot cost at industry depreciation rates;

(vi) Expiration dates of leases;

(vii) Number of workstations per building or leased space;

(viii) Total square feet divided by number of workstations;

(ix) Total number of vacant workstations;

(x) Percentage of vacant workstations versus total workstations available;

(xi) Date when an action is required by the state to renew or terminate a lease;

(xii) Strategic plan for leases commencing or expiring by June 30, 2022, and each subsequent year thereafter;

(xiii) Master facility plans as required by § 42-11-2.9(a)(2);

(xiv) Map of all state buildings that provides: cost per square foot to maintain, total number of square feet, total operating cost, date each lease expires, number of persons per building, and total number of vacant seats per building; and

(xv) Industry benchmark report related to office space that shall include total operating cost by full-time equivalent employee, total operating cost by square foot and total square feet divided by full-time equivalent employee;

(29) To provide by December 31, 1995, the availability of automatic direct deposit to any recipient of a state benefit payment, provided that the agency responsible for making that payment generates one thousand (1,000) or more such payments each month;

(30) To encourage municipalities, school districts, and quasi-public agencies to achieve cost savings in health insurance, purchasing, or energy usage by participating in state contracts, or by entering into collaborative agreements with other municipalities, districts, or agencies. To assist in determining whether the benefit levels including employee cost sharing and unit costs of such benefits and costs are excessive relative to other municipalities, districts, or quasi-public agencies as compared with state benefit levels and costs; and

(31) To administer a health benefit exchange in accordance with chapter 157 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-32 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-32
§ 42-64-32. Construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-148-9 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-148 / Section 42-148-9
§ 42-148-9. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-98-10 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-98 / Section 42-98-10
§ 42-98-10. Agency procedures  Advisory opinion.
Status: in_force

(a) Each agency of the state or political subdivision of the state designated under § 42-98-9 shall proceed to consider the issue or issues consigned to it for review. Each agency shall conclude its consideration and issue its advisory opinion not more than six (6) months following its designation under § 42-98-9, or any lesser time that the board may require, or the right to exercise the function shall be forfeited to the board.

(b) Advisory opinions issued by agencies designated under § 42-98-9 shall not be considered as final decisions of the agencies making the opinions, and shall not be subject to judicial review under § 42-35-15, or any other provision of the general laws.

(c) Advisory opinions issued by zoning boards of review, building inspectors, or any other agency of a municipality designated under § 42-98-9 shall not be reviewable by the public utilities commission under § 39-1-30.

(d) Failure or refusal of the applicant to provide requested information may be considered as grounds for recommending denial.

(e) At the request of the siting board, the director of environmental management and the coastal resources management council shall give priority to the review of permits for energy facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-3.2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-35 / Section 42-35-3.2
§ 42-35-3.2. Incorporation by reference.
Status: in_force

(a) An agency may incorporate the following by reference in its rules without publishing the incorporated material in full:

(1) Federal rules, codes, or standards published in full in the Federal Register or the Code of Federal Regulations;

(2) Federal rules, codes, or standards that have been properly incorporated by reference in the Federal Register as part of a duly promulgated final rule or in the Code of Federal Regulations pursuant to federal legal requirements;

(3) Published codes, standards, or guidelines of any nationally recognized scientific or technical association or organization.

(b) For the purposes of subsection (a)(3) of this section, nationally recognized scientific or technical association or organization means an association or organization that is regularly in the business of developing scientific or technical standards or guidelines, is recognized by those in the relevant professional community as having a high degree of expertise and competence in its field, and whose publications are widely distributed and easily available throughout the nation and the state of Rhode Island.

(c) An agency may incorporate by reference the material set forth in subsection (a) of this section only if the issuing agency, organization, or association makes copies of the material available to the public. An agency may not incorporate any material by reference unless the material has been properly identified in the notice of proposed rule-making pursuant to § 42-35-2.7.

(d) The reference to any incorporated material shall identify the incorporated material by appropriate agency, organization, or association and by date, title, or citation. The reference shall also state that the rule does not include later amendments to or editions of the incorporated material.

(e) If an agency proposes to incorporate any material by reference in a state rule, the agency shall maintain a copy of the material and shall allow public inspection of the material and provide copies of any non-copyrighted material to the public at cost upon request beginning no later than the date of publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking. If any material to be incorporated by reference has been copyrighted, the agency shall upon request provide information about the publisher and the citation to the material.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-102-13 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-102 / Section 42-102-13
§ 42-102-13. Non-trade apprenticeship incentive program.
Status: in_force

(a) The workforce board shall fund a non-trade apprenticeship incentive program for industries identified and approved by the board. This program shall meet the standards of apprenticeship programs defined pursuant to § 28-45-9. The workforce board shall present the program to the state apprenticeship council, established pursuant to chapter 45 of title 28, for review and consideration.

(b) Program incentive. For each apprentice enrolled in a non-trade apprenticeship program subsequent to January 1, 2016, the workforce board shall establish a reimbursement incentive program, in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) The maximum amount that any one employer may receive for one or more apprentices within any twelve-month (12) period under the terms of this section is five thousand dollars ($5,000); and

(2) An employer shall not be eligible for the incentive reimbursement for an apprentice under the terms of this section until after the completion of the probationary period required pursuant to § 28-45-9(2)(viii).

(c) The non-trade apprenticeship incentive program shall be funded with general revenue through the workforce development services program of the department of labor and training.

(d) In order to fully implement the provisions of this section, the workforce board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with the state apprenticeship council. The rules and regulations shall include how industries are identified and approved for participation in the program created by this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-163-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-163 / Section 42-163-5
§ 42-163-5. Duties and powers of broadband advisory council.
Status: in_force

The broadband advisory council shall advise the executive office of commerce on broadband implementation efforts undertaken by the agency including, but not limited to, the development of a state strategic plan and broadband-related investment strategies. The broadband advisory council shall additionally invite telecommunications/IT experts and broadband stakeholders to inform the council. The broadband advisory council shall provide a written report to the speaker of the house and senate president one month after the close of each quarter with the status of Rhode Island broadband efforts and the level and type of funding obligation and expenditure by awardee through any grant program as well as recommendations for accessing further federal or other funding opportunities for as long as federal or state funding is available for this work.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-21 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-21
§ 42-56-21. Labor of prisoners committed for criminal offense, qui tam, penal action, or failure to give recognizance.
Status: in_force

(a) All persons imprisoned in the adult correctional institutions on account of their conviction of any criminal offense, or on execution issued in any qui tam or penal action, or for not giving the recognizance required of them to keep the peace upon complaint for threats, shall be let or kept at labor therein or on the institution lot or in some building thereon, for the benefit of the state, in any manner, under a contract and subject to any rules, regulations, and discipline that the director, or the directors designee, may make; provided, however, that for the purposes of furthering the rehabilitation of persons concerned and upon the unanimous recommendation of at least three (3) of the five (5) members of the classification board, provided for by § 42-56-30 and upon the approval of the director, or the directors designee, an inmate imprisoned on account of his or her conviction of a criminal offense, not a sex offense involving minors, who has served at least one-sixth ( ) of his or her sentence, or who, in the case of a person serving a life sentence from his or her parole eligibility date and as to whom there is reasonable cause to believe he or she will honor his or her trust, may be permitted to work at paid employment for his or her own benefit or participate in a training or educational program within or without the state on a voluntary basis outside of the institution lot at any time and under any conditions and restrictions as the director, or the directors designee, may impose and subject to recall by the director, or the directors designee, while continuing as a prisoner at the adult correctional institutions, provided that:

(1) Representatives of local union central bodies or similar labor organizations are consulted;

(2) The paid employment will not result in the displacement of employed workers or in the supplanting of work regularly performed by the workforce. It shall not be an unfair labor practice to utilize prisoners to perform labor at outdoor work sites in conjunction with unionized employees;

(3) No person sentenced to life for murder shall be placed in a work release program until that person has served a minimum number of ten (10) years.

(b) The director, or the directors designee, may at any time recall a prisoner from that release status if he or she believes or has reason to believe the peace, safety, welfare, or security of the community may be endangered by the prisoner being under that release status. Any prisoner recalled under this provision shall be presented to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the classification board for their further consideration.

(c) A prisoner authorized to work at paid employment within or without the state under this section shall be required to pay court ordered restitution and pay any court ordered fines and costs and may be required to pay, and the director, or the directors designee, is authorized to collect the costs incident to the prisoners confinement as the director, or the directors designee, deems appropriate and reasonable. Collections for costs incident to a prisoners confinement shall be deposited with the treasurer as a part of the general revenue of the state. Collections made pursuant to a court order shall be deposited with the registry of the court.

(d) All persons committed to the adult correctional institutions pursuant to an order of contempt issued by a court of this state may be permitted to work at paid employment for their own benefit or participate in a training or educational program within or without the state on a volunteer basis outside of the institution lot at any time and under any conditions and restrictions that the director, or the directors designee, may impose and subject to recall by the director, or the directors designee, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(e) Prior to releasing an inmate into a work release program, the department shall check with the bureau of criminal investigation (BCI) of the department of the attorney general to ensure that the prospective employer has no felony record. No inmate shall be released to an employer who has a felony record. Employer as used in this section shall include the president of a corporation, or any partners in a partnership, and the chief supervisory person at the site where the inmate will be employed and the person having direct supervisory authority over the inmate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-80-5 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-80 / Section 42-80-5
§ 42-80-5. Report.
Status: in_force

The commission shall prepare and submit a report of its activities to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the attorney general on or before January 15 of each calendar year. The commissions report shall include, but not be limited to, its recommendations for revisions, amendments, additions, or consolidation of the laws regarding prejudice, bias, or hatred to insure that these laws safeguard and protect the public.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-13-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-13 / Section 42-13-1
§ 42-13-1. Establishment  Head of department  Powers.
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be a department of transportation. The head of the department shall be the director of transportation, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, who shall carry out the provisions of this chapter and, except as otherwise provided by this title, the provisions of chapters 2 and 4 of title 1; chapters 8 and 10 of title 24; chapter 13 of title 31; chapter 12 of title 37; and of all other general laws heretofore carried out by the director of public works and the department of public works, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority, and the council on highway safety. The director shall also be responsible for preparation of short-range plans, project plans, and implementation programs for transportation; for port and waterways facilities where the principal purpose is transportation and management of port properties, warehouses, and state piers that function primarily as transportation facilities; and for maintaining an adequate level of rail passenger and freight services, including the administration of any financial or technical assistance that may be made available to operators of railroad transportation facilities; provided, however, that all contracts for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repairs of all public roads and bridges, public buildings, and all other properties of the state government, and the purchase of all equipment, materials, and supplies used in accordance therewith shall be negotiated by the purchasing agent in the department of administration.

(b) The director shall adopt and promulgate state regulations that will set standards for future state, city, and town construction and maintenance of sidewalks and curbs, in a manner that will make the use of the sidewalks more easily accessible to people who are disabled. Said standards shall require the installation of curb cuts and/or ramps at both ends of any pedestrian crosswalk.

The director shall adopt and promulgate a procedure to process all claims pursuant to §24-8-35, for damages to motor vehicles caused by potholes on state highways and in all instances have the final determination as to the merits of each claim.

(c) The director shall promulgate and adopt regulations that will prohibit any contractors who have been convicted of fraud, bid-rigging, or a violation of any state or federal antitrust law from bidding on any construction projects administered by the department for a period of five (5) years from the date of any of the above convictions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-73-9.1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-73 / Section 42-73-9.1
§ 42-73-9.1. Additional powers  Criminal injuries to children.
Status: repealed

(a) In addition to the powers set forth in § 42-73-9, the child advocate, or the child advocate's designee, shall have the power to commence in the superior court a civil action against the state pursuant to the provisions of chapter 25 of title 12 on behalf of any child the custody of whom has been assigned to any institution or agency under the control of the department of children, youth and families or other private agency or provided in § 14-1-34.

(b) Any judgment for compensation or order for settlement of the claim for compensation entered by the court pursuant to the provisions of § 12-25-3 [repealed] shall be considered as the estate of the child for whose benefit the judgment or order is entered, to be held by the office as guardian of that compensation, and shall be deposited into a trust account established by the office for the purposes of distributing those funds to the child in accordance with the plan adopted by the family court pursuant to the provisions of § 14-1-35.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-92-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-92 / Section 42-92-1
§ 42-92-1. Purpose.
Status: in_force

(a) It is declared that both the state and its municipalities and their respective various agencies possess a tremendous power in their ability to affect the individuals and businesses they regulate or otherwise affect directly. The legislature further finds that the abilities of agencies to determine benefits, impose fines, suspend or revoke licenses, or to compel or restrict activities imposes a great, and to a certain extent, unfair, burden upon individuals and small businesses in particular. The legislature further finds that this situation often tempts state agencies to proceed against individuals or small businesses which are least able to contest the agencys actions, and that often results in actions other than those which are in the best interest of the public.

(b) The legislature further finds that by contesting an unjust agency action and prevailing, the individual or small business often performs an important service to the public because it compels the agency to enforce the laws of this state and respective municipalities as they were written by the elected representatives of this state or the respective municipalities. Therefore, in order to encourage individuals and small businesses to contest unjust actions by the state and/or municipal agencies, the legislature hereby declares that the financial burden borne by these individuals and small businesses should be, in all fairness, subject to state and/or municipal reimbursement of reasonable litigation expenses when the individual or small business prevails in contesting an agency action, which was without substantial justification.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-65-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-65 / Section 42-65-1
§ 42-65-1. Commission established.
Status: in_force

There shall be an American and Irish cultural exchange commission to consist of nine (9) members, all of whom shall be American citizens descended from Irish ancestry and residents of the state; three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the senate president; and three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the governor. The commission shall establish, maintain, and develop cultural ties between Irish and Irish-Americans; foster a special interest in the historical and cultural background of both groups, as well as in the economic, political, social, and artistic life of the countries involved; and shall help establish or promote Gaelic language programs in the schools of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-24-2 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-24 / Section 42-24-2
§ 42-24-2. Duties of commission.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the commission on uniform state laws to examine the subjects of marriage and divorce, insolvency, the form of notarial certificates, the descent and distribution of property, acknowledgment of deeds, the execution and probate of wills, bills of lading, the conservation of natural resources, the regulation and increase of fish and game, the protection of agriculture, horticulture, and forests, the bringing of the social and commercial laws of the various states of the United States, and especially of the New England states, into more perfect accord, and other subjects upon which uniformity is desirable; to confer upon these matters with the commissioners appointed for the same purpose by any other states or with any department or official of the United States; to consider and draft uniform laws to be submitted for approval and adoption to the several states, and generally to devise and recommend from time to time such other or further course of action as shall best accomplish the purposes of this section and chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-157-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-157 / Section 42-157-3
§ 42-157-3. General requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) The exchange shall make qualified health plans available to qualified individuals and qualified employers. The exchange shall not make available any health benefit plan that has not been certified by the exchange as a qualified health plan in accordance with federal law.

(b) The exchange shall allow an insurer to offer a plan that provides limited scope dental benefits meeting the requirements of section 9832(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 through the exchange, either separately or in conjunction with a qualified health plan, if the plan provides pediatric dental benefits meeting the requirements of section 1302(b)(1)(J) of the federal act [42 U.S.C. § 18022].

(c) Any health plan that delivers a benefit plan on the exchange that covers abortion services, as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 156.280(d)(1), shall comply with segregation of funding requirements, as well as an annual assurance statement to the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 156.280(e)(3) and (5).

(d) At least one plan variation for individual market plan designs offered on the exchange at each level of coverage, as defined by section 1302(d)(1) of the federal act [42 U.S.C. § 18022], at which the carrier is offering a plan or plans, shall exclude coverage for abortion services as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 156.280(d)(1). If the health plan proposes different rates for such plan variations, each listed plan design shall include the associated rate. Except for religious employers (as defined in section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code), employers selecting a plan under this religious exemption subsection may not designate it as the single plan for employees, but shall offer their employees full-choice of small employer plans on the exchange, using the employer-selected plan as the base plan for coverage. The employer is not responsible for payment that exceeds that designated for the employer-selected plan.

(e) Health plans that offer a plan variation that excludes coverage for abortion services as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 156.280(d)(1) for a religious exemption variation in the small group market shall treat such a plan as a separate plan offering with a corresponding rate.

(f) An employer who elects a religious exemption variation shall provide written notice to prospective enrollees prior to enrollment that the plan excludes coverage for abortion services as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 156.280(d)(1). The carrier must include notice that the plan excludes coverage for abortion services as part of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage required by 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-84-1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-84 / Section 42-84-1
§ 42-84-1. Legislative purpose.
Status: in_force

The general assembly recognizes the need to create a forms management center to review and redesign forms used in state government. The goals are to eliminate duplication and reduce the total number of forms. In addition, the center will train state agency staff in the use of forms and in form design, as well as actually procuring state forms and promoting interagency standardization and use of forms. The results can be increased efficiency and considerable cost savings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-20.1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-20.1
§ 42-64-20.1. Procedure.
Status: in_force

A resolution by the board of directors of the corporation that adopts confirming use of the tax exemption for a project by the lessee as required in § 42-64-20(c) shall be deemed to have been approved by the general assembly when the general assembly passes a concurrent resolution of approval which the corporation requests that, the resolution adopting confirming use of the tax exemption for a project by the lessee, be approved by the general assembly. These requests shall be transmitted to the speaker of the house and the president of the senate with copies to the chairpersons of the respective finance committees, and fiscal advisors. The request for approval shall include:

(1) A full description of the project to which the tax exemption is related;

(2) The corporations findings required by § 42-64-10(a)(1); and

(3) The corporations analysis of impact required by § 42-64-10(a)(2).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-4-4.1 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-4 / Section 42-4-4.1
§ 42-4-4.1. State march.
Status: in_force

(a) The song entitled Rhode Island, words and music by T. Clarke Brown, shall be and is hereby established as and declared to be the state march.

(b) The words and the musical presentation of the state march shall be as follows:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64-19 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-64 / Section 42-64-19
§ 42-64-19. Trust funds.
Status: in_force

All moneys received pursuant to the authority of this chapter, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or notes or as revenues, receipts, or income, and moneys held by the Rhode Island commerce corporation in the tire site remediation account established pursuant to § 23-63-4.1, shall be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in the proceedings under which the bonds or notes are authorized. Any officer with whom or any bank or trust company with which the moneys shall be deposited as trustee shall hold and apply the moneys for the purposes thereof, subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter, the proceedings authorizing the bonds or notes and the trust agreement securing the bonds or notes, if any.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-163-4 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-163 / Section 42-163-4
§ 42-163-4. Broadband advisory council established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a broadband advisory council for the purpose of performing the duties enunciated in § 42-163-5.

(b) The council shall consist of the following nine (9) members:

(1) The broadband director from Commerce Rhode Island, who shall serve as the chair;

(2) The Rhode Island emergency management agency director, or designee;

(3) The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns executive director, or designee;

(4) The Boys and Girls Club president, or designee appointed by the senate president;

(5) The Rhode Island infrastructure bank executive director, or designee;

(6) A Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the speaker of the house;

(7) A telecommunications expert, appointed by the senate president;

(8) A member of the underserved or unserved community appointed by the governor; and

(9) A broadband or technology expert appointed by the speaker of the house.

(c) Members of the council shall serve without compensation.

(d) Vacancies shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-135-3 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-135 / Section 42-135-3
§ 42-135-3. Purpose and duties.
Status: in_force

The purpose of the council shall be to provide a forum to discuss:

(1) Prudent pharmaceutical purchasing mechanisms for state facilities and programs;

(2) Efficient pharmaceutical dispensing capabilities in state and community agencies for medications paid for with state funds; and

(3) A comprehensive and coordinated review of state pharmaceutical purchasing and facility dispensing procedures.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-158-4 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-158 / Section 42-158-4
§ 42-158-4. Use of restraints.
Status: in_force

No service provider of any covered facility may use a prone restraint at any time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-56-32 — RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-56 / Section 42-56-32
§ 42-56-32. Classification unit.
Status: in_force

Within the department of corrections there shall be a classification unit under the supervision of the director, or the directors designee, which shall collect and record all of the data concerning each person sentenced to the adult correctional institutions. This unit shall periodically review the file of each person and shall report to the board its findings and recommendations for those persons who shall have been sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year for such action as the board may deem necessary and appropriate. The classification unit shall furnish to the parole board, for its consideration in every case, the file of each person under consideration for parole.