R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-2-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-2 / Section 28-2-4
§ 28-2-4. Assignment to work of persons unable to find work.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the director of labor and training, whenever any person informs him or her of his inability to obtain employment, to register the name of the person in the office of the director of labor and training, together with his address, age, and any other information which he or she deems necessary. The director of labor and training shall then assign, or cause to be assigned, and, if necessary, reassign or cause to be reassigned, the person to lawful, useful, and recognized occupations carried on by the state or any county or municipality of the state, or by private employers, engaged in agricultural, industrial, or other occupations of that character, and who accept the services of those persons; provided, that no person shall be required to work under this chapter any greater number of hours per day than lawfully constitutes a days work in the occupation in which the person is required to engage. In the event the director of labor and training is unable to procure employment for the person applying, it shall then be the duty of the director of labor and training, or his or her duly authorized subordinate, to so certify to the person in writing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-16 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-16
§ 28-39-16. Enforcement of subpoenas.
Status: in_force

In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any person, pursuant to chapters 39  41 of this title, the sixth division of the district court, upon application by the director or the board of review, shall have jurisdiction to issue to that person an order requiring that person to appear before the director, or his or her duly authorized representative, or the board of review, or its duly authorized representatives, there to produce evidence if so ordered or there to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question. Any failure to obey that order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court. A party aggrieved by an order of the court may appeal that order to the supreme court in accordance with the procedures contained in Article I of the Supreme Court Rules.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-36-8 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-36 / Section 28-36-8
§ 28-36-8. Subrogation of insurer to rights of employer.
Status: in_force

When any employer is insured against liability for compensation and the insurer has paid any compensation for which the employer was liable, or has assumed the liability of the employer, the insurer shall be subrogated to all the rights and duties of the employer and may enforce those rights in its own name.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-36-16 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-36 / Section 28-36-16
§ 28-36-16. Fraudulent conveyances by uninsured employer.
Status: in_force

(a) Any uninsured employer, who knowingly transfers, sells, encumbers, assigns, or in any manner disposes of, conceals, secretes, or destroys any property belonging to that employer, after one of the employers employees has been injured, within the purview of chapters 29  38 of this title, and with intent to avoid the payment of compensation under those chapters to that employee or his or her dependents, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each day of willful noncompliance with the requirements of this title. Each day shall constitute a separate and distinct offense for calculation of the fine. Provided, that in no case shall the fine exceed an amount determined to be three (3) times the premium required as determined by the payroll audit required, for the time period in which the employer was required to secure the payment of compensation, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment, and in any case where that employer is a corporation, the president, secretary, and treasurer shall be also severally liable to the penalty of imprisonment as well as jointly and severally liable with the corporation for the fine. The director has discretion to assess an administrative penalty and/or to bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction, or to refer the matter to the attorney general for prosecution of criminal charges.

(b) As soon as practicable after a complaint under this section is filed, the director shall examine the complaint to determine whether cause exists for further inquiry. Should the director find cause, the director shall then give the parties to the complaint not less than ten (10) days notice by mail of the time and place of the hearing. After the hearing, parties to the complaint shall be given notice by mail by the director of his or her determination of the controversy, including the amount of the payment the director recommends as a bond or penalty. Any party shall have the right to appeal from any determination or order made under this chapter. Any appeal authorized under this chapter shall be made to the workers compensation court in the first instance, and from the workers compensation court to the supreme court in accordance with § 28-35-30. The director, in his or her discretion, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction. All civil actions for any violations of this chapter or of any of the rules or regulations promulgated by the director, or for the collection of payments in accordance with § 28-37-13 or penalties hereunder, shall be prosecuted by any qualified member of the Rhode Island bar whom the director may designate, in the name of the director, and the director shall be exempt from giving surety for costs in any proceedings.

(c) The director shall collect all payments under this chapter under any rules and regulations that may be set forth by the director. All fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited to a restricted receipt account to be administered by the director of the department of labor and training in his or her sole discretion to carry out the provisions of chapters 29  38 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-41-28 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-41 / Section 28-41-28
§ 28-41-28. Parties to review  Service of petition  Certification of record.
Status: in_force

The board of review and all parties to the proceedings before it shall be parties to the review proceedings. If the director is a party respondent, the petition shall be served by leaving with him or her, or any representative whom he or she designates for that purpose, as many copies of the petition as there are respondents. Within ten (10) days after filing of the petition, an affidavit of compliance shall be filed with the superior court in which the petition has been filed. The director shall file with the court certified copies of the record of the case together with his or her petition for review or his or her answer to the appellants petition. Upon the filing of a petition for review by the director, or upon service of a petition upon him or her, the director shall send a copy of the petition by registered or certified mail to each party and that mailing shall constitute service upon the parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-18.4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-18.4
§ 28-14-18.4. Extension of protection  Annual report.
Status: in_force

(a) The relief and damages for violations set forth in §§ 28-14-19.2 and 28-14-19.3 shall also apply to § 28-41-35(f) and (g) and chapters 3, 6, 12, and 18 of this title, chapter 23 of title 5 , and chapter 3 of title 25.

(b) The director, on or before December 31, 2024, and annually thereafter, shall submit a report to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate regarding all complaints filed in the preceding year with the department of labor and training (the department) for alleged violations of § 28-41-35(f) and (g).

(c) The annual report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) The total number of complaints filed with the department for alleged violations of § 28-41-35(f) or (g), or both;

(2) The exact nature of the alleged violations;

(3) How each complaint was resolved, whether after hearing or settlement;

(4) Whether the findings after hearing were appealed;

(5) Results of each appeal;

(6) The number of complaints in which an alleged violation was determined to be founded, and the number of complaints determined to be unfounded or dismissed; and

(7) A determination of the number of complaints for alleged violations of § 28-41-35(f) or (g) which also included an alleged violation of § 25-3-3, and the resolution of the complaint with respect to the alleged violation of § 25-3-3.

(d) The provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall sunset and expire on July 1, 2025, unless extended by the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-24.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-24.1
§ 28-5-24.1. Proceedings in superior court.
Status: in_force

(a) A complainant may ask for a right to sue in state court if not less than one hundred and twenty (120) days and not more than two (2) years have elapsed from the date of filing of a charge, if the commission has been unable to secure a settlement agreement or conciliation agreement and if the commission has not commenced hearing on a complaint. The commission shall grant the right to sue within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request. This shall terminate all proceedings before the commission and shall give to the complainant the right to commence suit in the superior court within any county as provided in § 28-5-28 within ninety (90) days after the granting of the request. Any party may claim a trial by jury.

(b) As to cases pending before the commission on July 8, 1999, in which a finding of probable cause has been made by the commission under § 28-5-18, or will in the future be made, the commission shall within thirty (30) days of the findings of probable cause or within thirty (30) days after July 8, 1999, whichever is later, notify the respondent of the right to have the complaint heard and decided in the superior court. If within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notification by the respondent the respondent elects in writing to have the case heard in the superior court, the commission shall promptly issue a right to sue letter to the complainant and all proceedings before the commission shall terminate. The complainant shall have the right to commence suit in the superior court within any county as provided in § 28-5-28 within ninety (90) days of the date of the right to sue letter, a copy of which shall be sent to all parties. Either party may claim a trial by jury in the superior court. Notwithstanding the termination of proceedings before the commission upon the granting of the right to sue notice, the parties may agree to have the commission seek to conciliate or mediate settlement of the case within the ninety-day (90) period in which the complainant has the right to commence suit in superior court.

(c)(1) As to cases commenced in the commission after July 8, 1999, the complainant or the respondent may elect within twenty (20) days after receipt of a finding of probable cause to terminate by written notice to the commission all proceedings before the commission and have the case heard in the superior court. In the event of an election to terminate the proceedings, the commission shall issue a right to sue letter to the complainant with a copy of the letter sent to all parties.

(2) The complainant shall have the right to commence suit in the superior court within any county as provided in § 25-5-28 within ninety (90) days of the date of the right-to-sue letter. Either party may claim a trial by jury in the superior court.

(3) Notwithstanding the termination of proceedings before the commission upon the granting of the right-to-sue notice, the parties may agree to have the commission seek to conciliate or mediate settlement of the case within the ninety-day (90) period in which the complainant has the right to commence suit in superior court.

(d) The superior court may make orders consistent with § 28-5-24; provided, that the court shall not enter a consent order or judgment settling claims of discrimination in an action or proceeding under this chapter, unless the parties and their counsel attest that a waiver of all or substantially all attorneys fees was not compelled as a condition of the settlement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-31 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-31
§ 28-14-31. Wages upon return from layoff.
Status: in_force

Whenever an employee who has worked for an employer for more than one year is separated from work by a layoff, the employer shall offer to pay to the employee the same wages earned at the time of the separation upon the employees later return to work at the same or similar job.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-25-17 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-25 / Section 28-25-17
§ 28-25-17. Judicial enforcement.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall have jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter upon petition being filed by the administrator of the division of occupational safety and notice being given to the person or persons charged with a violation of the provisions of this chapter, and the court may issue process of injunction, mandamus, or otherwise as in the opinion of the court is necessary to enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter, but no ex parte restraining order shall be issued unless upon a showing satisfactory to the court that danger to life or property is imminent, and in that case citation to the defendant shall be returnable not more than five (5) days after the ex parte restraining order is entered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-43-8.6 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-43 / Section 28-43-8.6
§ 28-43-8.6. Employment security reemployment assessment.
Status: in_force

For the tax years 2001, 2002, and 2003 each employer subject to this chapter shall be required to pay an employment security reemployment assessment of three hundredths of one percent (0.03%) of that employers taxable payroll, in addition to any other payment that employer is required to make under any other provision of this chapter. The assessment shall not be considered as part of the individual employers contribution rate for the purpose of determining the individual employers balancing charge pursuant to § 28-43-9. The tax rate for all employers subject to the contribution provisions of chapters 42  44 of this title shall be reduced by three hundredths of one percent (0.03%).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-5.3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-5.3
§ 28-18-5.3. Location of contract shop.
Status: in_force

No contract shop may be operated in any home as defined in § 28-18-2(3).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-22 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-22
§ 28-39-22. Agencies entitled to information.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding § 28-39-21, the director is authorized to divulge the information confidentially held by the department to the agencies enumerated in § 28-42-38 as proper agencies entitled to access to that information relating to the administration of temporary disability insurance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-27 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-27
§ 28-14-27. Attachment of property.
Status: in_force

Whenever the director requires a deputy sheriff whose duty it is to seize property or levy on property in any attachment proceedings to satisfy any wage claim judgment to perform any duty, the officer shall do so without requiring the director to furnish any security or bond in the action, and the officer in carrying out the provisions of this section shall not be responsible in damages for any wrongful seizure made in good faith.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-2.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-2.1
§ 28-20-2.1. Video display terminals  Informational brochure  Training programs.
Status: in_force

The department of labor and training is directed to develop an informational brochure relating to the use of video display terminals in the work place. In addition to the brochure, the department shall develop a plan, in cooperation with business, industry, and labor, for the dissemination of the brochure to all concerned parties. The department shall also prepare a plan for a series of training programs and seminars directly relating to the information contained in the brochure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-4
§ 28-42-4. Services performed partly outside state.
Status: in_force

Employment includes an individuals entire service, performed within or both within and without this state, if:

(1) The service is localized in this state; or

(2) The service is not localized in any state but some of the service is performed in this state and

(i) The base of operations, or, if there is no base of operations, then the place from which the service is directed or controlled, is in this state; or

(ii) The base of operations or place from which that service is directed or controlled is not in any state in which some part of the service is performed but the individuals residence is in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-30 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-30
§ 28-39-30. Prosecution of actions for penalties.
Status: in_force

The director shall be the party complainant to any complaint and warrant brought to invoke the penalties provided for in §§ 28-39-23  28-39-32 and the director shall be exempt from giving surety for costs in any action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-9 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-9
§ 28-33-9. Order declaring employer liable for medical services.
Status: in_force

When an injury results in no incapacity or incapacity of three (3) days or less and a dispute arises between the employee and the employer or insurer as to the payment of medical expenses or other services provided under §§ 28-33-5, 28-33-7 and 28-33-8, the employee or the medical provider may file a petition with the workers compensation court, which petition shall follow the procedure as outlined in chapter 35 of this title. In no event shall a petition be filed until twenty-one (21) days have elapsed since written demand for payment for the expense or service has been made on the employer or insurer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-3
§ 28-39-3. Exemption of governmental entities.
Status: in_force

Governmental entities as defined in § 28-42-3 shall not be deemed to be employing units subject to chapters 39  41 of this title and services performed in the employ of those governmental entities shall not be deemed to be employment subject to those chapters; provided, that certain governmental entities may elect to become subject to chapters 39  41 of this title in accordance with §§ 28-39-3.1 and 28-39-3.2. Unionized state employees may elect to become subject to chapters 39  41 of this title through the collective bargaining process.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-20 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-20
§ 28-39-20. Denial of requests for confidential information.
Status: in_force

Every request for information relating to the data referred to in § 28-39-19 shall be denied, and the individual making that request shall be informed that all requests for information must be directed to the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-11 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-11
§ 28-14-11. Wages held as garnishee.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any employer to pay to an employee any wages or money which the employer lawfully holds as garnishee under a writ of attachment issued by any court of this state in which the employer is named as garnishee, if the garnishee makes reports of that amount held by him or her as the garnishee to the court to which the writ is returnable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-37-8 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-37 / Section 28-37-8
§ 28-37-8. Continuance of payments to totally incapacitated persons.
Status: in_force

In addition to any other payments authorized to be made from the fund established under § 28-37-1, payments from the fund shall be made for the continuance of compensation and medical expenses at his or her prevailing rate to any employee who subsequent to January 1, 1940, has suffered an injury resulting in his or her receiving compensation payments for total incapacity and that incapacity has continued or will continue beyond the maximum period of payment for total incapacity provided under chapters 29  38 of this title. The payments for continuing total incapacity shall be made from the fund until the employees total incapacity has ended or the employees claim has been settled pursuant to § 28-35-20 or until his or her death. No payment shall be made under this section to an employee whose future payments of compensation have been commuted to a lump sum. The death of the employee from any cause terminates the right to any further compensation under this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-25-21 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-25 / Section 28-25-21
§ 28-25-21. Local ordinances void.
Status: in_force

(a) No city or town shall have the power to make any ordinance, bylaw, or resolution concerning, or to provide for the inspection, or to license the erection or installation of, any boiler or pressure vessel within the limits of the city or town. Any ordinance, bylaw, or resolution previously made or passed or concerning any of the above matters shall be void and of no effect.

(b) Any application made to municipalities shall be immediately forwarded for consideration and inspection to the division of occupational safety.

(c) No municipality shall issue a mechanical permit for work related to installation, repair, or alteration of any boiler or pressure vessel covered under this chapter until the application for the installation, repair, or alteration has been approved by the division of occupational safety where applicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-40 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-40
§ 28-5-40. Affirmative action report.
Status: in_force

(a) On February 1 of each year, the governor shall, in conjunction with the state equal opportunity office, submit to the general assembly a report documenting the status of affirmative action programs for women, persons with disabilities, and minorities in each department and state agency.

(b) At a minimum, the report shall include statistics for each department and state agency, indicating the employment by race, disability, and sex of workers in each job category in the department or agency, and containing a comparison of those statistics with those of the previous year, and shall include the plans each department or state agency has adopted for the forthcoming year to correct any continuing deficiencies in the employment of women, persons with disabilities, and minorities in the workforce.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-3 / Section 28-3-14
§ 28-3-14. Maximum continuous employment without mealtime.
Status: in_force

All employees are entitled to a twenty-minute (20) mealtime within a six-hour (6) work shift, and a thirty-minute (30) mealtime with an eight-hour (8) work shift. An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee for this mealtime. The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (a) An employer of healthcare facilities licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of title 23; or (b) An employer who employs less than three (3) people on any shift at the worksite.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-7
§ 28-7-7. Compensation and expenses of members  Provision of assistance.
Status: in_force

The compensation for members of the board shall be established by the unclassified pay plan board. The director of labor and training is authorized and directed to provide the board with any clerical, legal, and other assistance that shall be necessary to permit the board to perform its duties as provided in this chapter. The reasonable and necessary traveling and other expenses of the members of the board while actually engaged in the performance of their duties shall be paid from the state treasury upon the audit and warrant of the controller, upon vouchers approved by the director of labor and training and the chairperson. The board shall have the authority to select its own legal counsel consistent with available funds and the counsel shall work at the direction of the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-57-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-57 / Section 28-57-14
§ 28-57-14. Allowable substitution of employers paid sick and safe leave time.
Status: in_force

(a) Employers may have different paid leave policies for different groups of employees, provided that all policies meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.

(b) Employers who or that prefer not to track accrual of paid sick and safe leave time over the course of the benefit year may also use the following schedules for providing lump sums of sick leave or paid time off to their employees. Employers using these schedules will be in compliance even if an employees hours vary from week to week. For employees working an average of:

(1) Thirty-seven and one-half (37.5) to forty (40) hours per week, provide eight (8) hours per month for five (5) months;

(2) Thirty (30) hours per week, provide five (5) hours per month for eight (8) months;

(3) Twenty-four (24) hours per week, provide four (4) hours per month for ten (10) months;

(4) Twenty (20) hours per week, provide four (4) hours per month for nine (9) months;

(5) Sixteen (16) hours per week, provide three (3) hours per month for ten (10) months;

(6) Ten (10) hours per week, provide two (2) hours per month for ten (10) months;

(7) Five (5) hours per week, provide one hour per month for ten (10) months.

(c) In the case of an employer whose regular work day for full-time employees is less than eight (8) hours per day, if the employer provides five (5) days of paid sick and safe time leave consisting of the number of hours per day that constitute that full-time employees work day and provides them at the beginning of the year, the employer shall be in compliance with this subsection.

(d) Employers who or that provide forty (40) or more hours of paid time off or vacation to employees that also may be used as paid sick and safe leave, consistent with this section, shall not be required to provide additional sick leave to employees who use all their time for other purposes and have need of paid sick and safe leave later in the year, provided that the employers leave policies make clear that additional time will not be provided.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-24.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-24.1
§ 28-27-24.1. Compelling obedience to subpoenas.
Status: in_force

In case of failure of any person to comply with any lawfully issued subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or on the refusal of any witness to testify to any matter regarding which he or she may be lawfully interrogated, it shall be the duty of the district court or any judge of the district court, on application by the director, to compel obedience by proceedings in the nature of those for contempt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-48 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-48
§ 28-7-48. Prohibition against economic benefit to an unfair employer.
Status: in_force

Except for state payments to healthcare providers pursuant to the medical assistance program in chapter 8 of title 40 and the RIte Start program in chapter 12.3 of title 42, the state of Rhode Island or any subsidiary or agency of the state shall not enter into any new contracts with, or provide any new subsidiary, payment, service or state revenue bond money to, nor make any favorable administrative ruling that might reasonably lead to the financial gain of, any employer who or that has been found guilty of any unfair labor practice by an administrative law judge of the National Labor Relations Board for the duration of any strike by the employers employees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-2-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-2 / Section 28-2-1
§ 28-2-1. Duty to work  Proclamation of governor  Penalty.
Status: in_force

It is the duty of every able-bodied male resident of this state between the ages of eighteen (18) and fifty (50) years to be habitually and regularly engaged in some lawful, useful, and recognized business, profession, occupation, trade, or employment. Whenever the governor of this state issues a proclamation determining that employment is necessary and essential for the protection and welfare of this state and of the United States because of the existence of a state of war in which the United States may be engaged, and from that time on until the termination of that war, any able-bodied male resident of this state between the ages of eighteen (18) and fifty (50) who fails or refuses to be employed for at least thirty-six (36) hours per week shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall pay a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100), or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed three (3) months, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-43-29 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-43 / Section 28-43-29
§ 28-43-29. Liability for contributions and election of reimbursement.
Status: in_force

(a) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity that is or becomes subject to chapters 42  44 of this title on or after January 1, 1978, shall pay contributions under the provisions of chapters 42  44 of this title, unless it elects, in accordance with this section, to pay to the director for the employment security fund the full amount of regular benefits paid plus the full amount of the extended benefits paid, less any federal payments to the state under § 204 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, that are attributable to service in the employ of that nonprofit organization or governmental entity to individuals for weeks of unemployment that begin during the effective period of that election; provided, that for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 1, 1979, governmental entities that have elected reimbursement shall be responsible for reimbursing the employment security fund for the full amount of extended benefits paid that is attributable to service in the employ of those entities.

(b) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity that is or becomes subject to chapters 42  44 of this title on January 1, 1978, may elect to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions for a period of not less than the 1978 tax year and the next ensuing tax year provided it files with the director a written notice of its election within the thirty-day (30) period immediately following January 1, 1978.

(c) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity that becomes subject to chapters 42  44 of this title after January 1, 1978, may elect to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions for a period of not less than the balance of the tax year beginning with the date on which that subjectivity begins and the next ensuing tax year by filing a written notice of its election with the director not later than thirty (30) days immediately following the date of the determination of that subjectivity.

(d) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity that makes an election in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section will continue to be liable for payments in lieu of contributions until it files with the director a written notice terminating its election not later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the tax year for which that termination shall first be effective. The nonprofit organization or governmental entity shall thereafter be liable for the payment of contributions for not less than that tax year and the next ensuing tax year before another election can be exercised.

(e) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity that has been paying contributions under chapters 42  44 of this title for a period subsequent to January 1, 1978, may change to a reimbursable basis by filing with the director not later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of any tax year a written notice of election to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions. That election shall not be terminable by the organization or entity for that tax year and for the next ensuing tax year.

(f) The director may for good cause extend the period within which a notice of election, or a notice of termination, must be filed and may permit an election to be retroactive but not any earlier than with respect to benefits paid on or after January 1, 1978.

(g) The director, in accordance with any procedures that he or she may prescribe, shall notify each nonprofit organization or governmental entity of any determination that may be made of its status as an employer and of the effective date of any election that it makes and of any termination of that election. Any determination shall be conclusive on the organization or the entity unless within fifteen (15) days after notice of the determination has been mailed or otherwise delivered to it, an appeal is made to the board of review in writing in accordance with the provisions of § 28-43-14.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-17 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-17
§ 28-35-17. Notice and conduct of hearings.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the filing of any petition the court shall assign the matter to a judge. The court shall issue notice at that time, advising the parties of the judge to whom the case has been assigned and the date for pretrial conference in accordance with § 28-35-20.

(b) Upon filing of any claim for a trial, following the pretrial conference held in accordance with § 28-35-20, the judge shall fix a time for trial and give notice of it in accordance with the rules of practice promulgated by the court but the initial hearing shall be fixed not later than thirty (30) days next after filing the claim for a trial. The court shall cause notice of the trial to be given to each interested party in accordance with the rules of practice promulgated by the court. The judge shall proceed to hear the matter as the justice of the case may require, and may allow amendments to the petition and the answer at any stage of the proceedings. Hearings may be adjourned from time to time for just and sufficient cause, and hearings may be held at the places that the workers compensation court shall designate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-18 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-18
§ 28-18-18. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected by the invalidity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-30 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-29 / Section 28-29-30
§ 28-29-30. Advisory council.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a workers compensation advisory council consisting of seventeen (17) members as follows:

(1) The chief judge of the workers compensation court and two (2) additional judges of the workers compensation court and one member of the bar who primarily represents injured workers before the workers compensation court, both to be selected by the chief judge;

(2) The director of business regulation;

(3) The director of administration;

(4) Three (3) representatives from labor appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be an injured worker;

(5) Three (3) representatives from business appointed by the governor, one of whom shall represent cities and towns;

(6) One representative from the general public appointed by the governor;

(7) The chairperson of the senate labor committee, or his or her designee;

(8) The chairperson of the house labor committee, or his or her designee;

(9) The director of labor and training; and

(10) The chief executive officer of the workers compensation insurance fund, or his or her designee.

(b) It shall be the duty of the council to advise the governor and the general assembly, on an annual basis, on the administration of the workers compensation system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-47-13 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-47 / Section 28-47-13
§ 28-47-13. Reinsurance.
Status: in_force

No group may operate as a self-insurer without maintaining both specific and aggregate reinsurance and/or excess insurance in a form and with monetary limits approved by the director and from a reinsurer and/or insurer approved by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-29 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-29
§ 28-35-29. Review by supreme court  Procedure.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person aggrieved by a final decree of the appellate division of the workers compensation court rendered pursuant to § 28-35-28 may, within twenty (20) days from the entry of the final decree, petition the supreme court for a writ of certiorari to review the decree on the grounds specified in § 28-35-30.

(b) The petition for a writ of certiorari shall set forth the errors claimed.

(c) Upon the filing of a petition with the clerk of the supreme court, the supreme court may, if it sees fit, issue its writ of certiorari to the workers compensation court to certify to the supreme court the record of proceedings before the appellate division, together with any additional record of the proceedings before the trial judge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-10-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-10 / Section 28-10-14
§ 28-10-14. Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

Any person, partnership, agency, firm, or corporation violating § 28-10-11, § 28-10-13, or § 28-10-13.1 is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each person recruited, supplied, procured, referred, or employed, or to suffer imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-9 / Section 28-9-1
§ 28-9-1. Enforceability of agreement to arbitrate any controversy.
Status: in_force

A provision in a written contract between an employer and an association of employees, a labor union, trade union, or craft union, or between an association of employers and an association of employees, labor unions, trade unions, or craft unions, to settle by arbitration any controversy shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, except upon any grounds that exist in law or in equity for the revocation of the contract; provided, that the provisions of this chapter apply but are not limited to controversies respecting terms and conditions of employment. Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing that the arbitrator shall have no authority to modify the penalty imposed by the employer in the arbitration of matters relating to the disciplining of employees, including, but not limited to, termination, suspension, or reprimand, the arbitrator shall have the authority to modify the penalty imposed by the employer and/or otherwise fashion an appropriate remedy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-1-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-1 / Section 28-1-2
§ 28-1-2. Duty to give information to director.
Status: in_force

Every employer of labor, and every person engaged in any industrial pursuit, shall give the director of labor and training all proper and necessary information to enable him or her to perform the duties required of him or her by law, and in default of that, upon reasonable demand, shall be fined twenty dollars ($20.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-65 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-65
§ 28-42-65. Pecuniary penalty for failure to file reports or pay contributions.
Status: in_force

An employer who or that fails to file any reports required under chapters 42  44 of this title, or fails or refuses to pay any contributions required under those chapters in the manner and at the times as required by the law and regulations or as the director may, in accordance with these chapters, prescribe, shall pay a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each failure or refusal to file, and where any contribution is due, shall pay an additional penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount due. The foregoing penalties shall be paid into the employment security tardy account fund, and shall be in addition to contributions and interest required to be paid as provided in chapters 42  44 of this title. If any employer fails to pay a penalty, when assessed, it shall be collected by civil action as provided in § 28-43-18.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9-8 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-9 / Section 28-9-8
§ 28-9-8. Hearings by arbitrators.
Status: in_force

Subject to the terms of the submission or contract, if any are specified in the contract, the arbitrators selected as prescribed in this chapter must appoint a time and place for the hearing of the matters submitted to them, and must cause notice thereof to be given to each of the parties. They, or a majority of them, may adjourn the hearing from time to time on the application of either party for good cause shown or on their own motion, but not beyond the day fixed in the submission if a date has been set in the contract or submission for rendering their award, unless the time fixed is extended by the written consent of the parties to the submission or contract or their attorneys, or the parties have continued with the arbitration without objection to the adjournment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9-6 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-9 / Section 28-9-6
§ 28-9-6. Trial of issue as to existence of agreement to arbitrate or failure to comply.
Status: in_force

(a) If evidentiary facts are set forth raising a substantial issue as to the making of the contract or submission or the failure to comply with it, the court or the judge shall immediately proceed to the trial of the issue.

(b) If no jury trial is demanded by either party, the court or the judge shall hear and determine the issue.

(c) Where this issue is raised, any party may, on or before the return day of the notice of application, demand a jury trial of the issue, and if a demand is made, the court or the judge shall make an order referring the issue or issues to a jury in the manner provided by law for referring to a jury issues in an equity action.

(d) Whenever an immediate trial is ordered, the order shall provide that, if the court, or where a jury has been demanded, the jury, finds that a written contract providing for arbitration was made or a submission was entered into, and that there was a failure to comply with the contract, the parties shall proceed with the arbitration in accordance with the terms of the contract or submission, and the order shall provide that if the court or jury finds that there was no contract or submission or failure to comply with the contract, then the proceeding shall be dismissed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-19.3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-19.3
§ 28-14-19.3. Protection from retaliation.
Status: in_force

No employer, or any person acting on behalf of the employer, shall discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against an employee or any other person for asserting, supporting, reporting, or participating in or being asked to participate in the investigation or determination of claim violation or actionable under this chapter or chapter 12 of this title.

Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section shall be entitled to relief as provided under chapter 50 of this title (The Rhode Island Whistleblowers Protection Act), provided, that such action must be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued or shall be thereafter barred.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-30 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-30
§ 28-33-30. Time for notice of injury to employer.
Status: in_force

No proceedings for compensation for an injury under chapters 29  38 of this title shall be maintained unless a notice of the injury has been given to the employer within thirty (30) days after the happening or manifestation of the injury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-21-6 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-21 / Section 28-21-6
§ 28-21-6. Access to written records  Availability.
Status: in_force

Chemical identification lists required by this chapter as defined in § 28-21-1 and/or material safety data sheets shall be made available upon request for examination and copying to any affected employee or employee representative of employee(s) within three (3) working days of the request, not including weekends or holidays. Upon being informed of the failure of an employer to provide the information as required, the director of the department of labor and training shall within seven (7) days make demand upon the employer for the information, and the employer shall subsequently provide the requesting employee or employee representative and the director of the department of labor and training with the information or copies of it within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the demand, not including weekends or holidays. Each annual chemical identification list shall be kept by the employer for a period of thirty (30) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-14
§ 28-18-14. Compliance with law  Employers license  Contractors and distributors.
Status: in_force

No person shall carry on industrial homework except in accordance with this chapter and in accordance with the provisions of any other state law or regulation. Every person desiring to employ homeworkers in this state must procure from the director of labor and training an employers license. The license shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of § 28-18-3 upon application made on a form prescribed by the director of labor and training, and upon payment of the fee required by § 28-18-5. No employer shall give out any materials or articles for homework through any homework contractors or distributors except in the case of any charitable or community organizations that the director may approve.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-31-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-31 / Section 28-31-14
§ 28-31-14. Effect of federal benefits to disaster response workers.
Status: in_force

Any sums payable under any act of Congress or other federal program as compensation for death, disability, or injury of disaster response workers shall be considered in connection with the determination and settlement of any claim brought under the provisions of §§ 28-31-12 and 28-31-13. When the payments received from the United States are less than an injured member would have been entitled to receive under §§ 28-31-12  28-31-14, then the worker shall be entitled to receive all the benefits to which he or she would have been entitled under those sections less the benefits actually received from the United States.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-53 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-53
§ 28-42-53. Procedural rules and regulations  Record of proceedings.
Status: in_force

The manner in which any disputed claims or any other controversies arising out of the interpretation or application of chapters 42  44 of this title shall be presented, or the manner in which hearings and appeals are conducted, shall be in accordance with the regulations adopted as prescribed in these chapters whether or not those regulations conform to common-law or statutory rules of evidence and other technical rules of procedure. A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings in connection with a disputed claim. All testimony at any hearing upon a disputed claim shall be recorded but need not be transcribed unless the disputed claim is further appealed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-10 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-10
§ 28-18-10. Reports of homework done  Employees certificate required.
Status: in_force

No employer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered or received, any articles for, or as a result of, homework processing, unless he or she keeps in any form and forward to the director of labor and training at the intervals that the director may by regulation prescribe on any blanks that he or she may provide, a complete and accurate list of all:

(1) Persons engaged in industrial homework of materials furnished and distributed by that employer;

(2) Places where industrial homeworkers work;

(3) Materials furnished and distributed to industrial homeworkers;

(4) Goods that those industrial workers have processed; and

(5) Rates of wage paid to each of those industrial homeworkers.

No employer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered or received, any articles for or as the result of, homework processing to any person who has not obtained a certificate from the director of labor and training permitting industrial homework to be done by him or her.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-60 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-60
§ 28-35-60. Copies of decisions and decrees to director.
Status: in_force

Copies of decisions, opinions, rescripts, and decrees, when issued by the workers compensation court and supreme court involving workers compensation cases, shall be promptly sent by the administrator to the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-77 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-77
§ 28-42-77. Treasurer of interest fund  Bond  Investments.
Status: in_force

(a) The general treasurer shall be custodian and treasurer of the interest fund. The general treasurer shall have custody of all moneys belonging to the fund and not otherwise held, deposited, or invested pursuant to chapters 42  44 of this title.

(b) The general treasurer shall give bond conditioned on the faithful performance of his or her duties as custodian and treasurer of the fund, in a form prescribed by statute and approved by the attorney general, and in an amount specified by the director and approved by the governor. All premiums upon bonds required pursuant to this section when furnished by an authorized surety company or by a duly constituted governmental bonding fund shall be paid from the moneys in the employment security administration account. The general treasurer shall deposit the moneys in his or her custody subject to the provisions of chapters 42  44 of this title.

(c) The general treasurer, as the custodian of the fund, shall hold, invest, transfer, sell, deposit, and release those moneys, properties, or securities in a manner approved by the director in accordance with chapters 42  44 of this title; provided, that those moneys shall be invested in the classes of securities legal for the investment of public moneys of this state, and the investment shall at all times be so made that all the assets of the interest fund shall always be readily convertible into cash when needed for the expenditures specified in § 28-42-76. All investment earnings derived from interest fund balances shall be deposited into a restricted-receipt account within the general fund and shall be exempt from the provisions of § 35-4-27. These funds are to be used solely to pay for administrative expenses of the department of labor and training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-3
§ 28-5-3. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the public policy of this state to foster the employment of all individuals in this state in accordance with their fullest capacities, regardless of their race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin, and to safeguard their right to obtain and hold employment without such discrimination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-43-7.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-43 / Section 28-43-7.1
§ 28-43-7.1. Determination of employers total taxable wages.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of determining each employers experience rate for the next succeeding calendar year, the director shall not later than October 31 of each year determine each employers total taxable wages paid during the twelve-month (12) period ended on June 30, next preceding. If it is found that any employer has not reported the employers taxable wages for any quarter pertinent to that determination, the total amount of taxable wages for that quarter shall be estimated by the director according to prescribed regulations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-42 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-42
§ 28-7-42. Budget estimates  Expenditures.
Status: in_force

Prior to the fifteenth (15th) day of November of each year, the director of labor and training shall submit to the director of administration for his or her approval an estimated budget of the administrative expenses of the state labor relations board for the ensuing fiscal year. All moneys appropriated to the department or the board for the use of the board shall be expended and audited in the manner provided for all other expenditures under the supervision of the director of labor and training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-28 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-28
§ 28-5-28. Right to judicial review or enforcement.
Status: in_force

Any complainant, intervener, or respondent claiming to be aggrieved by a final order of the commission may obtain judicial review of the order, and the commission or any party may obtain an order of court for enforcement of a final order as described in § 28-5-24, in a proceeding as provided in §§ 28-5-28  28-5-36. That proceeding shall be brought in the superior court of the state within any county in which the unlawful employment practices that are the subject of the commissions order were committed or in which any respondent, required in the order to cease and desist from unfair employment practices or to take other affirmative action, resides or transacts business.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-25 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-25
§ 28-20-25. Hearing on codes.
Status: repealed

No code may be adopted, amended, or repealed except pursuant to the provisions contained in chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-33 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-33
§ 28-33-33. Inaccuracies in notice  Want of notice as defense.
Status: in_force

A notice given under the provisions of chapters 29  38 of this title shall not be held invalid or insufficient by reason of any inaccuracy in stating the nature, time, place, or cause of the injury, or the name and address of the person injured, if:

(1) It is shown that the employer or his or her agent had actual knowledge of the injury;

(2) The court determines that good cause exists for failure to give notice in a timely manner;

(3) The employer or insurer was not in fact misled by it; or

(4) The employer or insurer does not contest the claim.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-37 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-37
§ 28-35-37. Delay of process for execution of decree.
Status: in_force

No process for the execution of any decree of the workers compensation court from which an appeal may be taken shall issue until the expiration of the appeal period, unless all parties against whom the decree is made, file with the court a waiver of appeal or by causing an entry thereof to be made on the docket.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-40-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-40 / Section 28-40-12
§ 28-40-12. Civil action to recover contributions.
Status: in_force

If any employer fails to make any payment of contributions or interest on them at the time and in the manner required by the prescribed rules and regulations, the amount of contributions so due shall be collected by civil action. All civil actions shall be instituted in the name of the director, and he or she shall be exempt from giving any surety for costs. Civil actions brought under this section, to collect contributions or interest on them, shall be heard by the court having jurisdiction at the earliest possible date, and shall be entitled to preference upon the calendar of the court over all other civil actions except petitions for a judicial review under chapters 39  41 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-37-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-37 / Section 28-37-2
§ 28-37-2. Custodian  Orders for payments.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer shall be the custodian of the fund; and the state controller is authorized and empowered to draw orders upon the general treasurer upon the receipt of duly authenticated vouchers. The general treasurer shall give bond with corporate security conditioned on the faithful performance of his or her duties as custodian of the fund, in a form prescribed by statute and approved by the attorney general, and in an amount specified by the director of administration. All premiums upon bonds required pursuant to this chapter shall be paid from the workers compensation administrative fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-5 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-5
§ 28-20-5. Devotion to duties  Assignment of compliance inspectors  Other employment.
Status: in_force

Compliance inspectors shall devote their entire scheduled work time and attention to the duties of their respective offices. The chief of the division of occupational safety shall assign compliance inspectors to the duties to be performed. No employee of the division of occupational safety shall accept other employment that is in conflict with his or her official duties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-47-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-47 / Section 28-47-12
§ 28-47-12. Premium taxes and assessments.
Status: in_force

Each group self-insurer, except any group self-insurer composed of the state, municipal governments, governmental authorities of the state or municipalities, or quasi-municipal subdivisions of the state or municipalities, shall pay premium taxes as close as practicable on the same basis as insurers as provided in chapter 17 of title 44. Each group self-insurer shall pay assessments for the workers compensation administrative fund pursuant to chapter 37 of this title on the same basis as is practicable as an insurer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-38 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-38
§ 28-7-38. Service of judicial process.
Status: in_force

All process of any court to which application may be made under this chapter may be served in the county where the person or persons required to be served reside or may be found.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-37 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-37
§ 28-5-37. Posting of statutory provisions.
Status: in_force

Every employer, employment agency, and labor union subject to this chapter shall post in a conspicuous place or places on the employers, employment agencys, or labor unions premises a notice to be prepared or approved by the commission, that shall set forth excerpts of this chapter and any other relevant information the commission deems necessary to explain the chapter. Any employer, employment agency, or labor union refusing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-11-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-11 / Section 28-11-2
§ 28-11-2. Days work for street railway employees.
Status: in_force

A days work for all conductors and operators now employed, or who may subsequently be employed, in the operation of all street railways of whatever motive power in this state shall not exceed ten (10) hours work, to be performed within twelve (12) consecutive hours. No officer or agent of any corporation operating streetcars of whatever motive power in this state shall on any day exact from any of its employees more than ten (10) hours work within the twenty-four (24) hours of the natural day, and within twelve (12) consecutive hours; provided, that on all legal holidays, and on occasions when an unexpected contingency arises, demanding more than the usual service by the street railway corporation to the public, or from the employees to the corporation, and in case of accident or unavoidable delay, extra labor may be performed for extra compensation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-43-5.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-43 / Section 28-43-5.1
§ 28-43-5.1. Employers account  Voluntary contributions.
Status: in_force

Any employer who has been assigned an experience rate, and who has filed all reports required under chapters 42  44 of this title, and has paid all contributions, interest, and penalties due under chapters 42  44 of this title, may make a voluntary contribution to his or her account. Such voluntary contribution shall be paid not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the department has issued a notice of the employers experience rate, or prior to the expiration of one hundred twenty (120) days after the start of the calendar year, for which the experience rate is effective, whichever is earlier. Upon timely payment of a voluntary contribution, the contribution shall be credited to the employers account balance and that employer shall receive a recomputation of its experience rate for that calendar year. No voluntary contribution shall be refunded in whole or in part.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-58-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-58 / Section 28-58-2
§ 28-58-2. Legislative purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this legislation is to preserve jobs and create new opportunities for economic growth and entrepreneurship in Rhode Island by providing opportunities for employees to purchase a business otherwise at risk of closure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-50-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-50 / Section 28-50-1
§ 28-50-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Rhode Island Whistleblowers Protection Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-66 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-66
§ 28-42-66. Penalty for violations generally.
Status: in_force

Any violation of any provision of chapters 42  44 of this title or of any order, rule, or regulation of the board of review after consultation with the director, for which a penalty is neither prescribed above nor provided by any other applicable statute, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200), or by imprisonment not longer than thirty (30) days, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-29 / Section 28-29-14
§ 28-29-14. Forms prescribed and furnished.
Status: in_force

The director shall prescribe the form of a notice informing employees of their privilege under chapters 29  38 of this title, and the notice shall be incorporated in the notice prescribed in this chapter. Blank forms of election and withdrawal, as well as summaries as provided by § 28-29-13, shall be furnished by the director, on request.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-23 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-29 / Section 28-29-23
§ 28-29-23. Termination provisions in alternative scheme.
Status: in_force

No scheme which provides for contributions by employees shall be certified as provided in § 28-29-22 which does not contain suitable provisions for the equitable distribution of any money or securities held for the purpose of the scheme, after due provision has been made to discharge the liabilities already incurred, if and when that certificate is revoked or the scheme otherwise terminated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-5 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-5
§ 28-33-5. Medical services provided by employer.
Status: in_force

The employer shall, subject to the choice of the employee as provided in § 28-33-8, promptly provide for an injured employee any reasonable medical, surgical, dental, optical, or other attendance or treatment, nurse and hospital service, medicines, crutches, and apparatus for such period as is necessary, in order to cure, rehabilitate, or relieve the employee from the effects of the employees injury. Irrespective of the date of injury, the liability of the employer for hospital service rendered under this section to the injured employee shall be the cost to the hospital of rendering the service at the time the service is rendered. The director, after consultations with representatives of hospitals, employers, and insurance companies, shall establish administrative procedures regarding the furnishing and filing of data and the time and method of billing and may accept as representing the costs for both routine and special services to patients, costs as computed for the federal Medicare program. Each hospital licensed under chapter 17 of title 23 that renders services to injured employees under the workers compensation act, chapters 29  38 of this title, shall submit and certify to the director, in accordance with requirements of the administrative procedures established by him or her, its costs for those services. The employer shall also provide all medical, optical, dental, and surgical appliances and apparatus required to cure or relieve the employee from the effects of the injury, including, but not limited to, the following: ambulance and nursing service, eyeglasses, dentures, braces and supports, artificial limbs, crutches, and other similar appliances; provided, that the employer shall not be liable to pay for or provide hearing aids or other amplification devices.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-15
§ 28-33-15. Relationship and dependency required.
Status: in_force

No person shall be considered a dependent unless he or she is a member of the employees family or next of kin, wholly or partly dependent upon the wages, earnings, or salary of the employee for support at the time of the injury If there is no person as provided in this section, then the parents of any employee who has not obtained his twenty-first (21st) birthday shall be considered a dependent, regardless of whether dependent on the wages, earnings, or salary of the employee, or not.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-25 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-25
§ 28-14-25. Court costs.
Status: in_force

In all actions brought by the director as assignee under § 28-14-23, no court costs of any nature shall be required to be advanced nor shall any bond or other security be required from the director in connection with the action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-1
§ 28-39-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

Chapters 39  41 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-33 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-33
§ 28-27-33. Investigators devotion to duties  Assignment of investigators.
Status: in_force

Investigators shall devote their entire scheduled work time and attention to the duties of their respective offices. The administrator of the division of professional regulation shall assign investigators to the duties to be performed. No employee of the division shall do or accept employment with another employer that is in conflict with his or her official duties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-12 / Section 28-12-15
§ 28-12-15. Hindering enforcement  Failure to carry out administrative requirements.
Status: in_force

Any employer who or that: (1) Hinders or delays the director of labor and training, or his or her authorized representative, in the performance of his or her duties in the enforcement of this chapter; (2) Refuses to admit the director of labor and training, or his or her authorized representative, to any place of employment; (3) Fails to make, keep, and preserve any records as required under the provisions of this chapter; (4) Falsifies any record; (5) Refuses to make any record accessible to the director of labor and training, or his or her authorized representative, upon demand; (6) Refuses to furnish a sworn statement of the record or any other information required for the proper enforcement of this chapter to the director of labor and training, or his or her authorized representative, upon demand; or (7) Fails to post a summary of this chapter or a copy of any applicable regulation or order as required by § 28-12-11, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-52 / Section 28-52-2
§ 28-52-2. Workplace violence protection.
Status: in_force

(a) If an employer, or an employers employee(s) or invitee(s), have: (1) Suffered unlawful violence by an individual; or (2) Received a threat of violence by an individual that can reasonably be construed as a threat that may be carried out at the worksite; or (3) Been stalked or harassed at the worksite; the employer may (in addition to, or instead of, filing criminal charges against the individual) seek a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, and an injunction pursuant to Rule 65 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, prohibiting further unlawful acts by that individual at the worksite that shall include any place at which work is being performed on behalf of the employer.

(b) Proof (by affidavit in an ex parte hearing, or by a preponderance of the evidence in any other hearing) of any action described in subsection (a) of this section shall constitute irreparable harm or damage to the employer, or employers employee(s) or invitee(s). Upon granting of any restraining order, preliminary injunction, or injunction, the court may, among other appropriate orders:

(1) Order the defendant not to visit, assault, molest, or otherwise interfere with the employer or the employers operations, or the employers employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employers worksite;

(2) Order the defendant to cease stalking the employers employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employers worksite;

(3) Order the defendant to cease harassment of the employer or the employers employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employers worksite;

(4) Order the defendant not to abuse or injure the employer, including the employers property, or the employers employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employers worksite;

(5) Order the defendant not to telephone the employer or the employers employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employers worksite;

(6) Order any other necessary and appropriate relief as deemed appropriate in the discretion of the court.

(c) When necessary to protect the employer or the employers employee(s), invitee(s), or property, and when authorized by the court, temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and injunctions granted pursuant to the provisions of this act may be served upon the defendant by a peace officer, sheriff, certified constable, or police officer, or other officer whose duty it is to preserve the peace, with appropriate orders to these officials to enforce the courts order.

(d) All orders and injunctions issued pursuant to the provisions of this act shall have statewide validity, unless specifically modified or terminated by the issuing judge, and may be enforced by the issuing court for any violation anywhere in the state, and by any court of competent jurisdiction within the state for violations that may occur within that courts jurisdiction.

(e) An employer and an employers agents who or that act in accordance with the provisions of this act shall be presumed to be acting in good faith and, unless lack of good faith is shown by clear and convincing evidence, are immune from civil liability for actions taken under this chapter.

(f) Any employer, or its employee(s) or invitee(s), who or that does not utilize the procedures authorized by this act, shall not be liable for negligence nor shall evidence of the same be admissible as evidence of negligence.

(g) In no event shall this chapter be construed to prevent lawful picketing or lawful demonstrations including, but not limited to, those related to a labor dispute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-30-22 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-30 / Section 28-30-22
§ 28-30-22. Medical advisory board.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief judge of the workers compensation court, in consultation with the appropriate medical or professional association, shall appoint a medical advisory board that shall serve at the chief judges pleasure and consist of eleven (11) members in the following specialties: one orthopedic surgeon; one neurologist; one physiatrist; one chiropractor; one physical therapist; one internist; one psychiatrist or psychologist; and four (4) ad hoc physician members appointed at the discretion of the chief judge. Members of the board shall be reimbursed five hundred dollars ($500) per day served in the discharge of the boards duties, not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000) per member in any year. The chief judge shall designate the chairperson of the board.

(b) The chief judge is authorized, with the advice of the medical advisory board, to do the following:

(1)(i) Adopt and review protocols and standards of treatment for compensable injury, which shall address types, frequency, modality, duration, and termination of treatment, and types and frequency of diagnostic procedures;

(ii) Within thirty (30) days of its establishment, the medical advisory board shall prepare a recommended standard for the consideration and weighing by the court of medical evidence, including, but not limited to, medical test results, objective clinical findings, subjective complaints supported by tests for inconsistency, and purely subjective complaints, with the purposes of assuring treatment and compensation for legitimate, compensable injuries; reducing litigation, inefficiency, and delay in court proceedings; and deterring false or exaggerated claims of injury. The standards shall be applicable to proceedings before the workers compensation court, including specifically those to determine the nature and extent of injury and the achievement of maximum medical improvement, and shall be effective in all proceedings when adopted by the court;

(2) Approve and promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures concerning the appointment and qualifications of comprehensive, independent healthcare review teams that would be composed of any combination of one or more healthcare provider(s), rehabilitation expert(s), physical therapist(s), occupational therapist(s), psychologist(s), and vocational rehabilitation counselor(s);

(3) Approve and administer procedures to disqualify or disapprove medical service providers and maintain the approved provider list;

(4) Appoint an administrator of the medical advisory board;

(5) Approve and promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures concerning the appointment and qualifications of impartial medical examiners; and

(6) Annually review the performance of each comprehensive, independent healthcare review team and impartial medical examiner.

(c) The administrator of the medical advisory board is authorized and directed to establish terms and conditions for comprehensive, independent healthcare review teams and impartial medical examiners to apply for approval by the medical advisory board and to perform any other duties as directed by the board.

(d) Any reference to an impartial medical examiner in chapters 29  38 of this title shall be deemed to include the impartial medical examiners and comprehensive, independent healthcare review teams referred to in subsection (b) of this section.

(e)(1) Disqualification of medical-care providers. Every healthcare provider licensed in the state of Rhode Island shall be presumed to be qualified to provide healthcare services for injuries compensable under this title and may recover costs of treatment consistent with established fee and cost schedules. The administrator of the medical advisory board is thereafter authorized to disqualify and/or suspend any qualified provider based upon one or more of the following:

(i) The violation of the protocols and standards of care established by the medical advisory board;

(ii) The filing of affidavits that are untimely, inadequate, incomplete, or untruthful;

(iii) The provision of unnecessary and/or inappropriate treatment;

(iv) A pattern of violation and/or evasion of an approved fee schedule;

(v) The censure or discipline of the provider by the licensing body of the providers profession; or

(vi) The billing of, or pursuing collection efforts against, the employee for treatment or diagnostic tests causally related to an injury not deemed noncompensable by the workers compensation court.

(2) Upon disqualification or during suspension, the provider shall not be permitted to recover any costs or fees for treatment provided under this title. The appropriate body with professional disciplinary authority over the provider shall be notified of any such action. Appeal of disqualification or suspension shall be to the medical advisory board, with final review by the workers compensation court.

(3) If unnecessary or inappropriate treatment is provided by an entity affiliated with the treating physician, the administrator of the medical advisory board may increase the penalty for a violation.

(4) This section shall not prevent the recovery of reasonable costs for immediate emergency care rendered by a provider.

(f) As a guide to the interpretation and application of this section, the policy and intent of this legislature is declared to be that every person who suffers a compensable injury with resulting disability should be provided with high-quality medical care and the opportunity to return to gainful employment as soon as possible with minimal dependence on compensation awards.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-12_28-14-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-12_28-14-12
§ 28-14-12. Employment records. [Effective until January 1, 2026.]28-14-12. Employment records. [Effective January 1, 2026.]
Status: in_force

Every employer shall keep a true and accurate record of hours worked and wages paid each pay period to each employee in any form that may be prescribed by the director. The employer shall keep the records on file for at least three (3) years after the entry of the record.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-50 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-50
§ 28-7-50. Employee rights of free speech in the workplace.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section:

(1) Political matters means topics that are unrelated to the employers business or business activities, such as subjects relating to elections for political office, political parties, proposals to change legislation or regulations which are not directly related to the employers business, and a decision whether to join or support any political party or political, civic, community, fraternal, or labor organization.

(2) Religious matters means matters relating to religious affiliation and practice and the decision whether to join or support any religious organization or association.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, an employer or the employers agent, representative, or designee shall not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or take any adverse employment action against an employee because of the employees refusal to:

(1) Attend an employer-sponsored meeting with the employer or its agent, representative, or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employers opinion concerning religious or political matters; or

(2) Listen to speech or view communications, including electronic communications, from the employer or its agent, representative, or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employers opinion concerning religious or political matters.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit:

(1) An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to its employees any information that the employer is required by law to communicate, but only to the extent of such legal requirement;

(2) An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to its employees any information that is necessary for such employees to perform their job duties;

(3) An institution of higher education, or any agent, representative, or designee of such institution, from meeting with or participating in any communications with its employees that are part of coursework, any symposia, or an academic program at such institution; or

(4) Casual conversations between employees or between an employee and an agent, representative, or designee of an employer; provided that, participation in such conversations is not required.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a religious corporation, entity, association, educational institution, or society that is exempt from the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-1(a) with respect to speech on religious matters to employees who perform work connected with the activities undertaken by such religious corporation, entity, association, educational institution, or society.

(e) In a civil action to enforce this section, the court may award a prevailing employee all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, reinstatement to the employees former position or an equivalent position, back pay, and reestablishment of any employee benefits, including seniority, to which the employee would otherwise have been eligible if the violation had not occurred, and damages. The court shall also award a prevailing employee reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-15
§ 28-5-15. Acceptance of contributions  Cooperation of private agencies.
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to accept contributions from any person and may seek and enlist the cooperation of private charitable, religious, labor, civic, and benevolent organizations for the purposes of § 28-5-14. All contributions shall be deposited as general revenues of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-41-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-41 / Section 28-41-15
§ 28-41-15. Filing of claims  Restriction on benefits  Copies of law and regulations.
Status: in_force

(a) Benefit claims shall be filed pursuant to prescribed regulations.

(b) No individual shall be eligible for benefits under this title for any week of unemployment due to sickness that occurs more than ninety (90) days prior to the time when written notice of his or her claim for benefits is mailed or delivered to the department of labor and training or such other agency as the director may designate. Notwithstanding the above, the director may extend the claim filing period up to twenty-six (26) weeks if the individual can show a good, medical reason for the delay in filing the claim for benefits.

(c) Each employer shall post and maintain printed statements of subsection (b) and of those regulations, in places readily accessible to individuals in his or her service. Those printed statements shall be supplied by the director to each employer without cost to that employer.

(d) Upon the filing of a claim, the director shall promptly mail a notice of the filing of the claim to the claimants most recent employer and to all employers for whom the claimant states he or she performed services and earned wages during his or her base period. The employers shall promptly furnish the information required to determine the claimants benefit rights. If the claimants employer or employers have any information that might affect either the validity of the claim or the right of the claimant to waiting period credit or benefits, the employer shall return the notice with this information. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of chapters 39  41 of this title, any employer who or that fails, without good cause as established to the satisfaction of the director, to return the notice within seven (7) working days of its mailing shall pay a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each failure. This penalty shall be paid into the temporary disability insurance reserve fund and, if any employer fails to pay the penalty, when assessed, it shall be collected by civil action as provided in § 28-40-12.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-26-16 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-26 / Section 28-26-16
§ 28-26-16. Appeals.
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by any decision or ruling of the division may appeal that decision or ruling to the administrator of the division or his or her designee. A further appeal may then be made to the appropriate board of examiners. Any person aggrieved by any decision or ruling of that board may appeal that decision or ruling to the director of the department. Any further appeal from the action of the director shall be in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42. The division shall be considered a person for the purpose of any action. Any appeal shall not stay a decision or administrative order made under this chapter. The decision or administrative order shall remain in full force and effect until stayed, modified, or reversed by the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-30 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-30
§ 28-35-30. Grounds for review by supreme court.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon petition for certiorari, the supreme court may affirm, set aside, or modify any decree of the appellate commission of the workers compensation court only upon the following grounds:

(1) That the workers compensation court acted without or in excess of its authority;

(2) That the order, decree, or award was procured by fraud; or

(3) That the appellate division erred on questions of law or equity, the petitioner first having had the petitioners objections noted to any adverse rulings made during the progress of the hearing at the time the rulings were made, if made in open hearing and not otherwise of record.

(b) Review shall not be granted by the supreme court except as provided in this section, and the supreme court shall disregard any irregularity or error of the appellate division or trial judge unless it affirmatively appears that the petitioner was damaged by the irregularity or error.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-47-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-47 / Section 28-47-15
§ 28-47-15. Employee leasing company self-insurance.
Status: in_force

An employee leasing company that wishes to self-insure without becoming a member of a group of employers shall be subject to this chapter and may adopt a plan of self-insurance and make application to the director for its approval and, for the purpose of this chapter, the employee leasing company shall be considered the group self-insurer. Provided, that the director shall have the authority to exempt any employee leasing company from the provisions of this chapter as he or she deems reasonable. Nothing in this section shall prevent more than one employee leasing company from making an application to become a group self-insurer under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-47-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-47 / Section 28-47-14
§ 28-47-14. Form of entity of group self-insurer.
Status: in_force

A group self-insurer may constitute itself as any form of legal entity, including, but not limited to, a profit or nonprofit corporation or a partnership. That entity shall not be considered to be carrying on the business of insurance pursuant to § 7-1-5 and shall not be subject to the provisions of title 27.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-18 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-18
§ 28-42-18. Establishment of fund.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created the employment security fund, to be administered by the director without liability on the part of the state beyond the amounts paid into and earned by the fund. This fund shall consist of:

(1) All contributions paid pursuant to §§ 28-43-16  28-43-22;

(2) All other moneys paid into and received by the fund;

(3) Property and securities acquired by and through the use of moneys belonging to the fund;

(4) Interest earned upon the money belonging to the fund; and

(5) All money credited to this states account in the unemployment trust fund pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1103.

(6) Advances from the general fund, authorized by the governor and the director of administration, for the purpose of repaying loans outstanding from the federal government or for paying unemployment insurance benefits due to avoid borrowing from the federal government in a given fiscal year. However, all such advances made to the fund shall be repaid to the general fund, with interest as determined by the general treasurer, within the same fiscal year.

(b) All moneys in the fund shall be mingled and undivided.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-36-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-36 / Section 28-36-7
§ 28-36-7. Proceedings by employee against insurer or employer.
Status: in_force

Any employee entitled to compensation from his or her employer under chapters 29  38 of this title shall, irrespective of any insurance contracts, have the right to recover compensation directly from the employer or the insurer in the manner provided in those chapters and, additionally, the right to enforce in his or her own name, in the manner provided in those chapters, either by making the insurer or the employer a party to proceedings to an original petition at the court, or by filing against either a separate petition, to determine the liability of any insurer that may have insured the employer against liability for the compensation, or to determine the liability of the employer for the compensation; provided, that payment in whole or in part of the compensation by either the employer or insurer shall, to the extent of the payment, be a bar to recovery against the other of the amount paid. As between the employer and the insurer, payment by either directly to any employee shall be subject to the conditions of the insurance contract between them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-29 / Section 28-29-7
§ 28-29-7. Domestic and farm laborers.
Status: in_force

Domestic servants, farmers, farm laborers, except as defined in § 28-29-7.2, are not subject to the provisions of chapters 29  38 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-48 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-44 / Section 28-44-48
§ 28-44-48. Removal or transfer of pending appeals.
Status: in_force

The board of review may remove to itself or transfer to another appeal tribunal any appeal pending before an appeal tribunal. An appeal removed to the board of review before a fair hearing has been completed shall be given a fair hearing by the board of review, as required by § 28-44-44 with respect to proceedings before an appeal tribunal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-41 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-41
§ 28-39-41. Task force.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a task force on temporary disability insurance fraud and program integrity. The task force shall consist of the following members or their designees:

(1) The director of labor and training or designee;

(2) The secretary of health and human services or designee;

(3) The director of health or designee;

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

(5) The attorney general or designee.

The director of labor and training shall chair the task force.

(b) The task force shall coordinate joint efforts to combat fraud and abuse in the temporary disability insurance program. The task force shall:

(1) Foster appropriate use of the program by both claimants and qualified healthcare providers by educating them about the intent of the program, the benefits provided, acceptable use of benefits, and applicable requirements;

(2) Protect the integrity of the temporary disability insurance fund by performing joint investigations into fraudulent activities; and

(3) Employ best practices, as established by other insurance programs both public and private, to ensure program goals and objectives are aimed at providing efficient and effective services to all customers.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, the task force shall facilitate timely information sharing between and among task force members, including the establishment of protocols by which participating agencies will advise or refer to other agencies matters of potential interest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-13 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-13
§ 28-35-13. Insurance commissioner as agent to receive process.
Status: in_force

Every employer subject to or who elects to become subject to chapters 29  38 of this title and/or his or her insurer shall be deemed to have appointed the insurance commissioner of this state or his or her successor in office to be his or her true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes, petitions, and notices in any action or proceeding against the employer and/or insurer, wherever that service is provided for in §§ 28-35-14  28-35-28.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-13-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-13 / Section 28-13-1
§ 28-13-1. Posting of job rates  Pick clocks.
Status: in_force

(a) The occupier or manager of every textile factory shall post in every room where any employees work by the job, in legible writing or printing, and in sufficient numbers to be easily accessible to those employees, specifications of the character of each kind of work to be done by them and the rate of compensation.

(b)(1) The specifications in the case of weaving rooms shall state the intended and maximum length of a cut or piece, the count per inch of thread, and the number of picks per inch, width of loom, width of cloth woven in the loom, and the price per cut or piece, or per pound; or, if payment is made per pick or per yard, the price per pick or per yard.

(2) Each warp shall bear a designating ticket or mark of identification. In mills operating looms on a piece rate basis, pick clocks shall be placed on each loom in operation, and each weaver shall be paid according to the number of picks registered on the clock.

(c) This chapter shall not apply to so called gang looms or to the weaving of carpets or elastic webbing.

(d) Violation of any provision of this chapter shall for the first offense be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100), for the second offense by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200), and for a subsequent offense by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one month, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-14 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-14
§ 28-20-14. Procedures to counteract imminent dangers.
Status: in_force

(a) The superior court shall have jurisdiction, upon petition of the attorney general, to restrain any conditions or practices in any place of employment that are such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of the danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by this chapter. Any order issued under this section may require any steps to be taken that may be necessary to avoid, correct, or remove the imminent danger and prohibit the employment or presence of any individual in locations or under conditions where the imminent danger exists, except individuals whose presence is necessary to avoid, correct, or remove the imminent danger or to maintain the capacity of a continuous process operation to resume normal operations without a complete cessation of operations, or where a cessation of operations is necessary, to permit the cessation to be accomplished in a safe and orderly manner.

(b) Upon the filing of the petition, the superior court shall have jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief or temporary restraining order pending the outcome of an enforcement proceeding pursuant to this chapter. The proceeding shall be as provided by Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 65, except that no temporary restraining order issued without notice shall be effective for a period longer than five (5) days and no security as provided in paragraph (c) of Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 65 shall be required of the state or its political subdivisions. No action brought under this section shall be construed as affecting a labor dispute as defined in § 28-10-3, nor shall the action be subject to the provisions of § 28-10-2 or paragraph (e) of Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 65.

(c) Whenever and as soon as a compliance inspector concludes that conditions or practices described in subsection (a) of this section exist in any place of employment, he or she shall inform the affected employees and employers of the danger and that he or she is recommending to the director that relief be sought.

(d) If the director arbitrarily or capriciously fails to seek relief under this section, any employee who may be injured by reason of that failure or the representatives of the employees may bring an action against the director in the superior court for the county in which the imminent danger is alleged to exist for a writ of mandamus to compel the director to seek the order and for any further relief that may be appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-10
§ 28-27-10. License of pipefitter or refrigeration/air conditioning or fire protection sprinkler contractor or sheet metal contractor or sprinkler fitter master  Test fee  License fee  Qualifications  Filing deadline.
Status: in_force

(a) No application for a license of a pipefitter or refrigeration/air conditioning or fire protection sprinkler contractor or sheet metal contractor or sprinkler fitter master shall be filed by the department nor shall any applicant be permitted to take the examination for a license as a pipefitter or refrigeration/air conditioning or fire protection sprinkler contractor or sheet metal contractor or sprinkler fitter master unless:

(1) The test application is accompanied by a test fee as outlined in § 28-27-17;

(2) Upon passing of a master test, or contractor test for sheet metal contractor applicants, payment of a license fee as outlined in § 28-27-17 is required and the master license will be issued as provided in § 28-27-15; and

(3) The applicant possesses a certificate of license in full force and effect from the department of labor and training specifying that person as a journeyperson licensed as such for a minimum of one year or the application is accompanied by an affidavit or other reasonably satisfactory evidence showing the laws of another state specifying that person as a pipefitter or refrigeration/air conditioning or fire protection sprinkler contractor or sprinkler fitter master.

(b) Applications must be filed with the department at least fifteen (15) days prior to the examination date.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-55-5 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-55 / Section 28-55-5
§ 28-55-5. Funding.
Status: in_force

The implementation of enhancements to the department of labor and trainings web-based workforce and job system shall be contingent upon available public and/or private financing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-13 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-13
§ 28-27-13. Change of address.
Status: in_force

Any person who holds a certificate of license as a master, journeyperson, or apprentice shall promptly notify the department in the event of a change of address specified on his or her certificate of license. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be assessed the sum of twelve dollars ($12.00) as an administrative fee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-26 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-26
§ 28-33-26. Waivers of compensation void.
Status: in_force

No agreement by an employee, except as provided in §§ 28-29-22  28-29-24, to waive his or her rights to compensation under chapters 29  38 of this title shall be valid except to the extent permitted by § 28-41-6 or 28-33-25.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-3 / Section 28-3-12
§ 28-3-12. Posting of hours and wage rates.
Status: repealed

Every employer shall post, in one or more places in the employers establishment where it may be easily seen and read by all employees employed by the employer, a printed or typewritten notice stating the minimum rates of pay, including hourly rates, or piece rate or both, as the case may be, that the employees are receiving for the various types of work performed in the establishment, and the number of hours work required of the person on each day of the week, and the hours of commencing and stopping work. The employment of any minor for a longer time in a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours than so stated shall be deemed a violation of § 28-3-11. The provisions of §§ 28-3-11, 28-3-11.1 [repealed], and this section shall not be construed to impair any restriction placed upon the employment of any child by the provisions of chapter 19 of title 16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-38-20 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-38 / Section 28-38-20
§ 28-38-20. Appointment of administrator and personnel.
Status: in_force

The director shall appoint an administrator of the center. The administrator shall appoint all medical and technical personnel and an administrative assistant of the center if this is necessary, with the advice and approval of the director, under the rules of civil service. Clerical and administrative personnel shall be appointed by the director under the rules of civil service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-3 / Section 28-3-1
§ 28-3-1. Places and times where employment of children prohibited.
Status: in_force

No child under fourteen (14) years of age shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work at any time in any business or industrial establishment in this state. No child under sixteen (16) years of age shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work at any time in any factory, mechanical, or manufacturing establishment within this state. A child who has reached the fourteenth (14th) birthday, but has not reached the sixteenth (16th) birthday, may be employed only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m; except that a child who has reached the fourteenth (14th) birthday, but has not reached the sixteenth (16th) birthday, may be employed until 9:00 p.m. but only during school vacations; and except as provided in § 28-3-3 no child under sixteen (16) years of age shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work in any business establishment within this state. Every person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall be fined as provided in § 28-3-20.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-3
§ 28-18-3. Issuance of homework licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) The distribution of industrial homework as defined in § 28-18-2(4) is prohibited except where licenses and certificates have been obtained from the director of labor and training.

(b) The director of labor and training may issue a license as provided in this chapter only if the employer maintains an establishment in this state in which persons are employed on operations the same as or similar to the proposed homework operations and if the homeworker is paid at least the same rate as that paid to workers on the same or similar operations in the establishment.

(c) The director of labor and training shall issue licenses to employers and certificates permitting industrial homework to industrial homeworkers who have reached the age of fifty (50) years or who are physically disabled and not able to go to the employers place of business to work.

(d) The director of labor and training shall issue licenses to employers and certificates to industrial homeworkers regardless of whether the homeworkers are physically disabled or have reached the age of fifty (50) years, in any industry where homework is customary in Rhode Island, permitting the industrial homework.

(e) The director of labor and training shall not issue the licenses in any cases or industries:

(1) Where it would unduly jeopardize the factory workers in the industry both as to wages and working conditions;

(2) It would unduly injure the health and welfare of the industrial homeworker;

(3) It would unduly jeopardize the public health and safety to have those industrial homework products distributed; or

(4) In any industry where experience has proven that homework in that industry is not susceptible of effective regulation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-26 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-26
§ 28-42-26. Disbursements from administration account  Unexpended balance.
Status: in_force

The entire cost of administration of chapters 42  44 of this title, including salaries and other necessary expenditures, shall be paid by the director out of the administration account. The general treasurer shall be custodian of the account and shall pay all vouchers duly drawn by the director upon the account, in any amounts and in any manner that the director may prescribe. Vouchers so drawn upon the account shall be referred to the controller within the department of administration. Upon receipt of those vouchers, the controller shall immediately record and sign them and shall promptly transfer those signed vouchers to the general treasurer; provided, that those expenditures shall be used solely for the purposes specified in chapters 42  44 of this title and its balances shall not lapse at any time but shall remain continuously available for expenditures consistent with these provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-2-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-2 / Section 28-2-2
§ 28-2-2. Possession of property or income not defense.
Status: in_force

In no case shall the possession by the accused of money, property, or income sufficient to support himself and those regularly dependent upon him be a defense to any prosecution under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-3.2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-3.2
§ 28-39-3.2. Manner of election.
Status: in_force

The election shall be made by submitting to the director a duly certified copy of a resolution or act of the legislative body of the political subdivision or subdivisions passed in accordance with their ordinances. Upon receipt of the certified copy of the resolution or act, the director shall specify the date as of which the governmental entity shall become subject to these provisions. Notwithstanding any provisions of chapters 39  41 of this title to the contrary, any political subdivision or subdivisions in this state may elect in accordance with these provisions that services performed by individuals for its highway department or department of public works, including full-time highway surveyors, whether or not those surveyors are elected, shall be deemed to be in employment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-31 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-31
§ 28-35-31. Transcript on appeal.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the filing of reasons of appeal and transcript, the workers compensation court shall present the transcript to the judge who heard the cause, and in case of vacancy in office, or for any cause where the court is unable to present the transcript to the judge who heard the cause, then the transcript shall be presented to any other judge, and that other judge shall have full power to examine and pass upon and allow the transcript. The judge to whom the transcript has been presented shall, after examination, restore the transcript to the files with a certificate of his or her action.

(b) Upon an appeal being taken and the transcript of the testimony as may be required being allowed and returned, the workers compensation court shall immediately certify the cause and all the papers of it to the supreme court.

(c) In case of failure to allow and return the transcript within twenty (20) days from its filing a hearing may be had on the question of the correctness of the transcript before the workers compensation court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-2
§ 28-42-2. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

Economic insecurity, due to unemployment, being a serious menace to the health, morale, and general welfare of the people of this state, is, therefore, a subject of interest and concern to the community as a whole, warranting appropriate action by the general assembly to prevent its spread and to lighten the burden that now falls on the unemployed worker and his or her family. According to the report of the joint special commission appointed pursuant to the joint resolutions, the evidence seems conclusive that in the face of recurring periods of business depression, which industry and commerce appear powerless to prevent, the industrial workers position is extremely insecure. The individual is as incapable of protecting himself or herself against unemployment as industry is of preventing it. Experience has shown that if the state delays action until unemployment becomes excessive, it can neither promptly create the organizations necessary to orderly, economical, and effective relief, nor bear the financial burden of relief without disrupting its whole system of ordinary revenues and jeopardizing its credit. Chapters 42  44 of this title are designed to meet in some measure this situation by providing for the accumulation of a fund to assist in protecting the public against the ill effects of unemployment that may arise in future years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-50-9 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-50 / Section 28-50-9
§ 28-50-9. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional, the invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-47 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-47
§ 28-42-47. Expenditure of federal funds.
Status: in_force

All federal funds made available to the director or to this state under the Wagner-Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq., shall be paid into the employment security administration account created by § 28-42-25, and those funds are made available to the director to be expended as provided by chapters 42  44 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-12
§ 28-42-12. Election by exempt employer to become subject to provisions.
Status: in_force

Any employing unit for which services are performed that do not constitute employment as defined in this chapter, may file a written election with the director that all services performed by individuals in its employ in one or more distinct establishments or places of business, shall be deemed to constitute employment for all the purposes of chapters 42  44 of this title for not less than two (2) calendar years. Upon the written approval of that election by the director, those services shall be deemed to constitute employment subject to those chapters from the date stated in the approval. Those services shall cease to be deemed employment subject to these chapters as of January 1 of any calendar year subsequent to those two (2) calendar years, only if not later than January 31 of that calendar year, either that employing unit has filed with the director a written notice to that effect, or the director on his or her own motion has given notice of termination of that coverage.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-22-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-22 / Section 28-22-2
§ 28-22-2. Penalties for nonpayment.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who has violated any provisions of chapter 6 of title 5 entitled Electricians, chapter 26 of this title entitled Hoisting Engineers, chapter 27 of this title entitled Mechanical Trades, chapter 70 of title 5 entitled Telecommunications, and chapter 20 of title 5 entitled Plumbers, Irrigators, and Water System Installers, whether duly registered with the office of the secretary of state or not, and has been levied a fine by the director of labor and training, is required to submit penalties due to the department of labor and training, division of professional regulation, within thirty (30) days of notice of the fine or penalty or license(s) will be revoked. Reinstatement of these license(s) will require payment of all penalties due to the department of labor and training and a subsequent hearing before the respective board.

(b) Any person who has violated any provisions of chapter 6 of title 5 entitled Electricians, chapter 26 of this title entitled Hoisting Engineers, chapter 27 of this title entitled Mechanical Trades, chapter 70 of title 5 entitled Telecommunications, chapter 20 of title 5 entitled Plumbers, Irrigators, and Water System Installers, and chapter 20 of this title entitled Division of Occupational Safety, whether duly registered with the office of the secretary of state or not, and has been levied a fine by the director of labor and training, and is not licensed with the department of labor and training, division of professional regulation, is required to submit penalties due to the department of labor and training, division of professional regulation, within thirty (30) days of notice of the fine or penalty, or the director of the department of labor and training shall have the power to institute injunction proceedings in superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-53-9 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-53 / Section 28-53-9
§ 28-53-9. Penalties, taxes, and assessments against noncomplying employers.
Status: in_force

(a) Where it is determined that an employer has failed to maintain a policy of workers compensation insurance as required by § 28-36-1 et seq. and that while the employer was uninsured in violation of the statute, an employee suffered a compensable injury, the uninsured protection fund shall commence the payment of weekly payment to the employee as set forth herein, subject to fund availability. On behalf of the fund, the director shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of the uninsured employer to the extent of any payments made by it to the injured employee. The lien(s) shall arise and attach as of the date on which the fund makes payment to the injured employee without further action by the fund or the court. The lien shall have priority over all subsequently perfected liens and security interests.

(b) Prior to the lien being filed with the office of the secretary of state, the employer shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, that a lien will be filed against all goods situated in the state if the outstanding tax is not paid within seven (7) business days of receipt of the notice.

(c) The liens shall become perfected at the time when a notice of lien is filed pursuant to the filing provisions of § 6A-9-501. The notice of lien shall include the following:

(1) The name of the debtor, as governed by § 6A-9-503;

(2) The name of the director of the department of labor and training as the party claiming the lien; and

(3) A description of the property so encumbered as governed by § 6A-9-504.

(d) The director shall be entitled to effectively file the lien and to amend the lien quarterly as additional payments are made or terminate it as necessary.

(e) No filing fee shall be charged for the filing of a lien authorized by this section.

(f) Where the employer is a corporation, the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of the corporation shall be severally personally liable, jointly with a corporation for any payments made to the injured employee by the fund, and the fund shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer to the extent of any payments so made.

(g) Where the employer is a limited-liability company, the managers and managing members shall be severally personally liable, jointly with the limited-liability company for any payments made to the injured employee by the fund and the fund shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of the manager and managing member to the extent of any payments so made.

(h) The liens and excise taxes levied against the noncomplying party pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any and all other fines, penalties, and assessments, to which the party would otherwise be liable in particular the penalties mandated by § 28-36-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-5.2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-5.2
§ 28-18-5.2. Permit required to process goods or materials.
Status: in_force

No person may perform any process on goods or material owned by another unless the person has been issued a permit by the director of labor and training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-52 / Section 28-52-3
§ 28-52-3. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application; and to that end, the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-54-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-54 / Section 28-54-1
§ 28-54-1. Medicare enrollment.
Status: in_force

Every municipality, participating or nonparticipating in the municipal employees retirement system, may require its retirees, as a condition of receiving or continuing to receive retirement payments and health benefits, to enroll in Medicare as soon as he or she is eligible, notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, ordinance, interest arbitration award, or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary. Municipalities that require enrollment shall have the right to negotiate any Medicare supplement or gap coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees, but shall not be required to provide any other healthcare benefits to any Medicare-eligible retiree or his or her spouse who has reached sixty-five (65) years of age, notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, ordinance, interest arbitration award, or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary. Municipality provided benefits that are provided to Medicare-eligible individuals shall be secondary to Medicare benefits. Nothing contained herein shall impair collectively bargained Medicare Supplement Insurance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-19 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-19
§ 28-39-19. Information held confidential.
Status: repealed

Every employee of the department of labor and training is expressly prohibited from divulging to any individual not officially connected with the department: (1) Any information obtained by the employee in the regular course of duty, or from the records and reports of employing units, or from the permanent records of the department, that would reveal the identity of any individual or employing unit; (2) The number of persons employed by any employing unit; (3) Matters relating to employment of any employing unit; (4) The wages earned or paid to any individual; (5) The hours worked by an individual; (6) The type of sickness suffered by any individual; or (7) Any other information relative to the temporary disability claim or payment of it; provided, that this prohibition shall not apply to information concerning wages earned or paid requested in a family court proceeding pursuant to §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25 or to information concerning wages earned or paid requested in a superior court proceeding pursuant to §§ 12-25-3 [repealed] and 12-25-7 [repealed].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-30 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-30
§ 28-20-30. Judicial review of code provisions.
Status: repealed

Any employer, employee, or other individual who may be adversely affected by any code adopted under this chapter, or any amendment of it, may, within thirty (30) days after its promulgation, commence an action in the superior court against the director to set aside the code or portion of the code on the grounds that it is unlawful or unreasonable, in accordance with the provisions of § 42-35-15. Any person adversely affected by any code or decision adopted pursuant to chapter 19 [repealed] of this title shall first appeal the decision to the occupational safety review board as provided in § 28-19-10 [repealed].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-41-20 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-41 / Section 28-41-20
§ 28-41-20. Consolidated appeals.
Status: in_force

When the same or substantially similar evidence is material to the matter in issue with respect to more than one individual, the same time and place for considering all those cases may be fixed, hearings on the evidence jointly conducted, a single record of the proceedings made, and evidence introduced with respect to one proceeding considered as introduced in the others, provided no party is prejudiced thereby.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-44 / Section 28-44-1
§ 28-44-1. Source and manner of payment of benefits  Services covered by federal law.
Status: in_force

Benefits shall be payable from the fund and shall be paid through employment offices, or any other agencies that the director may designate, and the federal Social Security Administration may approve, in accordance with any regulations adopted as prescribed. No individual shall have or assert any right to benefits under the employment security law of this state with respect to wages paid for services, as defined in § 28-42-8(5) irrespective of when those services were performed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-9 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-9
§ 28-14-9. Effect of private agreements  Payment of bonuses.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall in any way limit or prohibit the payment of wages or compensation at more frequent intervals, or in greater amounts or in full when or before due, but no provision of this chapter can in any way be contravened or set aside by a private agreement; provided, that no agreement contained in a written contract relating to the payment of any bonus in addition to the payment of wages shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-37-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-37 / Section 28-37-7
§ 28-37-7. Cessation of payments on death.
Status: in_force

When death occurs, all compensation payments from the workers compensation administrative fund shall cease; provided, that if it is proved that the death resulted from the last compensable injury the employer shall not be relieved of liability as provided in chapter 33 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-44 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-44
§ 28-33-44. Continuation of health insurance benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) No employer shall cancel but shall be obligated to continue to provide any employees health insurance benefits for a period of two (2) years from the date of the employees receiving weekly compensation benefits pursuant to a preliminary determination or a decision of the workers compensation court, or the filing at the department of a memorandum of agreement or notice of direct payment for injuries occurring on or before February 28, 1986. The provisions of this section shall not apply if:

(1) The employee is no longer receiving compensation pursuant to a preliminary determination or a decision of the workers compensation court;

(2) The employee has accepted suitable alternative employment;

(3) The employee fails to pay any contribution toward the healthcare benefits that he or she was required to pay prior to the injury;

(4) A petition for a commutation or a structured settlement, as defined in § 28-33-25, is granted;

(5) The employee is a beneficiary of an equivalent health insurance policy of his or her spouse; or

(6) The employee is employed in the construction industry and is a participant in a multi-employer welfare plan as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1002 et seq., and which the Internal Revenue Service has determined under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., is tax exempt as to contributions received and as to benefits received by its participants.

(b) In the event any employer fails to comply with the provisions of this section, and not its workers compensation insurance carrier, then the employer shall be liable for hospital and medical costs that would have been paid by the hospital or medical insurance plan afforded the employee had he or she been covered by the plan.

(c) The provisions of this section shall only apply to claims for injuries sustained on or after July 1, 1984.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-26-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-26 / Section 28-26-7
§ 28-26-7. Application for license  Examination.
Status: in_force

(a) Each person who desires to act as a steam, internal combustion engines, electric, or compressed air hoisting engineer shall make application to the division for a license upon a form furnished to him or her, submit a notarized list of work experience, and shall pass an examination on the construction and operation of steam, electric, internal combustion engines, and compressed air engines and machinery. Applications for examinations must be received fifteen (15) working days prior to the examination date.

(b) Any person applying for a license who knowingly makes any misstatement as to his or her work experience or other qualifications shall be subject to the penalties provided for in § 28-26-11.

(c) In addition to the requirements for submitting an application for examination, as required in subsection (a) of this section, any person applying for a full license, a hydraulic crane license, or a lattice crane license shall also be required to include a valid medical health card with their application. A separate notarized statement shall also be attached to the application, and shall contain all work-related experience, including all equipment trained on and/or operated.

(d) In addition to the requirements for submitting an application for examination, as required in subsection (a) of this section, any person applying for a construction forklift license or a full license shall also be required to include a copy of their OSHA forklift certification with their application.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-35 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-35
§ 28-42-35. Publication of statutory text and supplementary material.
Status: in_force

The director shall cause to be printed in proper form for distribution to the public the text of chapters 42  44 of this title, the general and special rules that shall become effective as specified elsewhere in this chapter, his or her annual report to the governor, and any other material the director deems relevant and suitable, and shall furnish these materials to any person upon application for them. Printing and availability upon application shall be deemed a sufficient publication.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-11-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-11 / Section 28-11-1
§ 28-11-1. Standard days work.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided by law, labor performed in any manufacturing establishment, and all mechanical labor, during the period of ten (10) hours in any one day, shall be considered a legal days work, unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the contract for the labor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-39 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-39
§ 28-5-39. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance, is, for any reason, adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this chapter or its application to other persons or circumstances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-58-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-58 / Section 28-58-3
§ 28-58-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) Employer, plant closing, mass layoff, representative, employment loss, unit of local government, and part-time employee means those terms as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 2101(a).

(b) Employing business means the business enterprise or entity for which the affected employees worked or were suffered or permitted to work at the time the notice defined in § 28-58-4 was issued.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-4
§ 28-27-4. Fire protection sprinkler contractor, master pipefitting contractor, master refrigeration contractor, and master sheet metal contractor defined.
Status: in_force

(a) Fire protection sprinkler contractor means a person having a regular place of business and who, by himself or herself or a journeyperson sprinkler fitter in his or her employ, performs fire protection sprinkler systems work.

(b) Master pipefitting contractor means a person having a regular place of business and who, by him or herself, or a journeyperson pipefitter in his or her employ, performs pipefitting work subject to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations and licensing criteria promulgated under this chapter.

(c) Master refrigeration contractor means a person having a regular place of business and who, by him or herself or a journeyperson refrigeration technician in his or her employ, performs refrigeration/air conditioning work.

(d) Master sheet metal contractor means a person having a regular place of business and who, by him or herself or a journeyperson sheet metal worker in his or her employ, performs sheet metal work.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-7 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-7
§ 28-33-7. Health service provider reimbursement.
Status: in_force

(a) Any dispute as to the reasonableness of the amount of any charge and/or payment for medical, dental, or hospital services or for medicines or appliances shall be determined by the workers compensation court after a hearing, and the decision shall be final; provided, that the director of the department of labor and training, in consultation with the workers compensation court, and representatives of all appropriate medical disciplines practicing within the state of Rhode Island, shall establish a schedule of rates of reimbursement for those medical and dental services, excluding non-physician hospital charges, that are most often provided to employees receiving workers compensation. The schedule shall be published by the director utilizing the Physicians Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) coding system as published by the American Medical Association. The director shall update and revise the schedule as necessary. In setting the rate of reimbursement for any service or procedure, the director shall determine, based upon available data, the ninetieth (90th) percentile of the usual and customary fee charged by healthcare providers in the state of Rhode Island and the immediate surrounding area, and in no case shall the rate of reimbursement exceed that amount. The liability of the employer or insurer for any charges and/or payment shall be limited to the rates of reimbursement set forth in this schedule including, but not limited to, charges for opinions on loss of use and maximum medical improvement; provided, that petitions may be filed in cases where the reasonableness of a particular rate is questioned, but the court shall be limited to a determination as to whether the rate, as applied in that particular case, is reasonable. The burden shall be upon the petitioner seeking payment of the medical bill to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the rate, as applied, is unreasonable in light of the peculiar nature of the services performed or other circumstances requiring a greater than normal expertise or expenditure of time or effort in providing the service.

(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, disputes other than those covered in § 28-33-9 pertaining to hospitalizations, medical services, appliances, or medicine shall be heard and determined by the workers compensation court in accordance with guidelines and protocols established by the medical advisory board.

(c) With respect to all complaints and charges of unprofessional conduct including, but not limited to, unnecessary or inappropriate treatment and any overcharges against any medical care provider brought to the attention of the workers compensation court in the performance of their duties under this title, the court shall report all complaints and charges to the appropriate board of licensure and discipline.

(d) The chief judge is authorized to establish a healthcare fee arbitration panel and to establish rules and procedure for the panel to make binding decisions in any dispute as to the value of healthcare services rendered under this title, and to compensate its members in an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) per day. The panel shall consist of one physician appointed by the president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, one physician who is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society appointed by the manager of the state workers compensation insurance fund, and one physician who is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society appointed by the chief judge of the workers compensation court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-46-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-46 / Section 28-46-2
§ 28-46-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Accrued portion of the normal retirement benefit means the amount of benefit credited by the employer to the account of an employee participating in a pension plan, or where there is no credit, that portion of the normal retirement benefit to which the director determines actuarially the employee should be entitled based on the covered service of the employee, as of the date of termination of employment.

(2) Ceases to operate a place of employment means either the complete termination of operations at a place of employment or a substantial reduction in the number of employees at a place of employment as part of a plan or in connection with an intent to move the business operations at that place of employment outside of the state. Substantial fluctuations in the number of employees of an employer whose business is of a seasonal nature shall not be deemed to be a ceasing to operate a place of employment except to the extent that a substantial reduction in the number of employees of the employer is attributable to a plan or intention to move the business operations of the employer outside of the state. When an employer ceases to operate a place of employment but offers to retain all of the employees at another location within the state, this chapter shall not apply.

(3) Covered service means periods of employment with an employer that are recognized under the terms of the employers pension plan for the purposes of determining an employees eligibility to receive benefits under the plan or the amount of those benefits.

(4) Director means the director of labor and training.

(5) Employee means any person employed at the place of employment during the year prior to the date when the employer ceases to operate the place of employment.

(6) Employer means any person, firm, or corporation who or that employs ten (10) or more people within this state at any time within one year prior to the date that it ceases to operate a place of employment.

(7) Nonvested pension benefit means the accrued portion of the normal retirement benefit of an employee participating in a pension plan to which the employee does not have a vested right.

(8) Normal retirement benefit means that benefit payable under a pension plan in the event of retirement at the normal retirement age as prescribed by the plan.

(9) Pension plan means any plan, fund, or program established, maintained, or entered into by an employer for the purpose of providing for its employees, or their beneficiaries, retirement benefits.

(10) Place of employment means any location within this state at which ten (10) or more persons are employed at any time within one year prior to the date that the employer ceases to operate at that location.

(11) Vested right means a nonforfeitable, legal right obtained by an employee participating in a pension plan to that part of an immediate or deferred pension benefit which arises from the employees covered service under the plan and is no longer contingent on the employee remaining covered under the plan.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-18 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-12 / Section 28-12-18
§ 28-12-18. Penalty for other violations.
Status: in_force

Any employer who or that otherwise violates any provision of this chapter or of any regulation or order issued under this chapter shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall upon conviction be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-45-13 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-45 / Section 28-45-13
§ 28-45-13. Standards of apprenticeship agreements.
Status: in_force

All apprenticeship agreements submitted for approval and registration with the department of labor and training shall contain explicitly or by reference standards adopted by the council, including:

(1) Names and signatures of the contracting parties (apprentice and the program sponsor or employer), and the signature of a parent or guardian if the apprentice is a minor.

(2) The date of birth of the apprentice and on a voluntary basis the social security number of the apprentice.

(3) Name and address of the program sponsor and the registration agency.

(4) A statement of the occupation, trade, or craft in which the apprentice is to be trained, and the beginning date and term (duration) of apprenticeship.

(5) A statement showing:

(i) The number of hours to be spent by the apprentice in work on the job in a time-based program or a description of the skill sets to be attained by completion of a competency-based program, including the on-the-job learning component; or the minimum number of hours to be spent by the apprentice and a description of the skill sets to be attained by completion of a hybrid program.

(ii) The number of hours to be spent in related and supplemental instruction in technical subjects related to the occupation which is recommended to be not less than one hundred forty-four (144) hours per year.

(6) A statement setting forth a schedule of the work processes in the occupation or industry divisions in which the apprentice is to be trained and the approximate time to be spent at each process.

(7) A statement of the graduated scale of wages to be paid the apprentice and whether or not the required related instruction shall be compensated.

(8) Statements providing:

(i) For a specific period of probation during which time the apprenticeship agreement may be terminated by either party to the agreement upon written notice to the department of labor and training, without adverse impact on the sponsor; and

(ii) That, after the probationary period, the agreement may be canceled at the request of the apprentice, or may be suspended, or terminated by the sponsor, for good cause, with due notice to the apprentice and a reasonable opportunity for corrective action, and with written notice to the apprentice and to the department of labor and training of the final action taken.

(9) A reference incorporating as part of the agreement the standards of the apprenticeship program as it exists on the date of the agreement and as it may be amended during the period of the agreement.

(10) A statement that the apprentice will be accorded equal opportunity in all phases of apprenticeship employment, and training, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin, as set forth in § 28-5-5.

(11) Name and address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if applicable) of the appropriate authority, if any, designated under the program to receive, process, and make disposition of controversies or differences arising out of the apprenticeship agreement when the controversies or differences cannot be adjusted locally or resolved in accordance with the established procedure or applicable collective bargaining provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-54 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-54
§ 28-42-54. Administration of oaths  Subpoena of witnesses.
Status: in_force

In the discharge of their duties under chapters 42  44 of this title, the director or his or her duly authorized representative, the board of review, an appeal tribunal, or any duly authorized representative of the board of review, shall have power to administer oaths to persons appearing before them, take depositions, certify to official acts, and by subpoenas, served in the manner in which court subpoenas are served, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, and records necessary or convenient to be used by them in connection with any disputed claim or in the administration of those chapters; provided, that no person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records before the director or his or her duly authorized representative, the board of review, an appeal tribunal, or any duly authorized representative of the board of review, or in obedience to his, her, or their subpoena in any cause or proceeding before him, her, or them on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him or her may tend to incriminate him or her or subject him or her to a penalty or forfeiture. No individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he or she is compelled, after having claimed his or her privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that an individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-21-5 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-21 / Section 28-21-5
§ 28-21-5. Fire safety.
Status: in_force

(a) An employer shall provide to the person responsible for the administration and direction of a fire department in a fire district or municipality, including a fire chief or fire administrator, or that persons designee:

(1) A list of work areas, sufficiently identified by name and location, where designated substances are present, containing the chemical and common name of each substance regularly present; and

(2) Upon request, material safety data sheets for each hazardous or toxic substance included in this list.

(b) The person responsible for the administration and direction of a fire department in a fire district or municipality, including a fire chief or fire administrator or that persons designee, shall maintain the information provided by the employer under subsection (a) of this section and shall provide copies of this information:

(1) To fire suppression and fire inspection divisions within the same jurisdiction; and

(2) Upon request, to any fire department employee or an employee representative of a fire department employee.

(c) Currently conducted fire safety inspections may include, at the discretion of the fire chief or the inspector, compliance with the employer notice requirements of this chapter as enumerated in § 28-21-3(a).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-3 / Section 28-3-4
§ 28-3-4. Return of permit on termination of employment.
Status: in_force

The permit shall, within five (5) days after termination of the employment of the child, be returned by the employer to the school committee that issued it, or to any person the committee shall designate, and shall be kept on file until the official authorized to issue the certificate has received a written statement that the child will be employed in accordance with the provisions of law and that upon the termination of that employment, that permit will be disposed of.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-25-5 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-25 / Section 28-25-5
§ 28-25-5. Administration and enforcement.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of occupational safety shall administer and enforce all provisions of this chapter, in accordance with chapter 20 of this title. Duly authorized inspectors shall inspect all boilers and pressure vessels within this state, except those that are specifically exempted under § 28-25-18. The administrator shall have in his or her office, and available during business hours for public inspection, a copy of the codes and fee schedule.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-23 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-23
§ 28-33-23. Persons to whom compensation payable in event of death.
Status: in_force

(a) The compensation payable under chapters 29  38 of this title in case of death of the injured employee shall be paid to his or her legal representatives. If he or she has no legal representative, the amount is payable to his or her dependents entitled to that compensation or, if he or she leaves no dependents, to the person to whom the expenses for the burial and last sickness are due.

(b) If the payment is made to the legal representative of the deceased employee, it shall be paid by the legal representative to the dependents or other persons entitled to it under chapters 29  38 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-53-6 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-53 / Section 28-53-6
§ 28-53-6. Custodian  Orders for payment.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer of the state of Rhode Island shall be the custodian of such fund and the state controller is hereby authorized and empowered to draw orders upon the general treasurer upon receipt of duly authenticated vouchers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-46-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-46 / Section 28-46-3
§ 28-46-3. Employer tax.
Status: in_force

There is assessed upon every employer who or that ceases to operate a place of employment within this state a tax that shall be equal to the total amount of nonvested pension benefits of those employees of the employer who have completed fifteen (15) years of covered service under the pension plan of the employer and whose employment was or will be terminated because of the employers ceasing to operate a place of employment within this state, and, whose nonvested pension benefits have been or will be forfeited because of that termination of employment, less the amount of those nonvested pension benefits that are compromised or settled to the satisfaction of the director as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-46-8 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-46 / Section 28-46-8
§ 28-46-8. Employee claims.
Status: in_force

The director shall maintain a separate record of each employee of an employer taxed under this chapter who had completed fifteen (15) years of covered service under the pension plan of the employer and whose employment was terminated because of the employers ceasing to operate a place of employment within this state and whose nonvested pension benefits were forfeited by that termination of employment and were not compromised or settled. Each employee shall be entitled to make a claim, in the form and manner prescribed by the director, for an immediate payment of the current value of his or her nonvested pension benefits or a deferred pension benefit, and to receive that payment or benefit in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-30-10 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-30 / Section 28-30-10
§ 28-30-10. Hearings open  Recording of decisions.
Status: in_force

All matters heard by the workers compensation court shall be in open session and decisions and decrees shall only be recorded in Providence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-22 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-33 / Section 28-33-22
§ 28-33-22. Minors employed in violation of law.
Status: in_force

(a) If, at the time of the injury, the injured employee is a minor employed in violation of any law of this state or of the United States relating to the employment of minors, then the compensation payable shall be treble the amount that would have been payable if that minor had been legally employed.

(b) In fixing the amount of any compensation under chapters 29  38 of this title, due allowance shall be made for any sum that the employer may have paid to any injured minor employee or to his dependents on account of the injury, except those sums that the employer may have expended or directed to be expended for medical, surgical, or hospital service.

(c) Whenever the workers compensation insurance carrier for the employer is obligated to pay treble the amount that would have been payable if that minor had been legally employed, the workers compensation insurance carrier shall have a complete right of indemnification to the extent the additional benefits are paid against the employer for the additional benefits paid above and beyond the usual workers compensation indemnity benefit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-13.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-13.1
§ 28-42-13.1. Employees of political subdivisions, their instrumentalities and other governmental entities.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of chapters 42  44 of this title, the political subdivisions of the state and the instrumentalities of those political subdivisions and all other governmental entities as defined in § 28-42-3(22) shall be deemed to be employing units. Service performed in the employ of those governmental entities shall be deemed to constitute employment subject to those chapters with the exception set forth in § 28-42-14. Except as otherwise provided herein, all other provisions of those chapters shall continue to be applicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-16 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-16
§ 28-35-16. Filing of answer  Additional parties.
Status: in_force

Within ten (10) days of the filing of the petition, the respondent or respondents shall file an answer to the petition with the workers compensation court and send a copy of it to the petitioner, identifying the specific issues disputed by the respondent or respondents with reference to the matter in dispute as disclosed by the petition. No pleadings other than the petition and answer shall be required to bring the matter to a final determination. If the respondent or respondents does not file an answer, the matter shall proceed as though the allegations of the petition had been denied. The workers compensation court may bring in additional parties by service of a copy of the petition by registered or certified mail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-8 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-8
§ 28-39-8. Withdrawals from reserve fund.
Status: in_force

The reserve fund shall be administered and used in any manner that the general assembly shall from time to time prescribe for purposes designed to benefit individuals prevented by injury or sickness from performing their regular or customary work; provided, that any sums that may be requisitioned from the fund by the director, for the expenses of administering chapters 39  41 of this title, may be withdrawn from the reserve fund from time to time for the payment of those expenses in accordance with §§ 28-39-33 and 28-39-34. In the event that the balance in the temporary disability insurance fund at any time is insufficient to pay benefits under chapters 39  41 of this title, the governor, or the governors authorized representative, shall cause those sums that may be required for the payment of those benefits to be transferred from the temporary disability insurance reserve fund to the temporary disability insurance fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-40 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-44 / Section 28-44-40
§ 28-44-40. Payment of benefits pending appeal.
Status: in_force

(a) If an appeal is filed by an employer, benefits shall be paid to an eligible claimant until that employers appeal is finally determined. If the employers appeal is finally sustained, no further benefits shall be paid to the claimant during any remaining portion of the disqualification period. Any benefits paid or payable to that claimant shall not be recoverable unless it is established to the satisfaction of the director that the erroneous payment was the result of fraud committed by the claimant.

(b) If, beginning on or after October 1, 2013, the director establishes that an erroneous payment was made to a claimant due to fraud committed by the claimant, this shall result in a recoverable overpayment and that individual shall also be liable to pay penalties and interest required under §§ 28-42-68(a) and 28-42-68(c) for those erroneous payments.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-57-9 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-57 / Section 28-57-9
§ 28-57-9. Regulations.
Status: in_force

The department shall coordinate implementation and enforcement of this chapter and shall promulgate appropriate guidelines or regulations for such purposes. All regulations to be drafted by the department pursuant to this act shall conform with existing applicable regulations and statutes that govern chapter 12 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-21-18 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-21 / Section 28-21-18
§ 28-21-18. Labeling.
Status: in_force

(a) The employer shall ensure that each container of designated substances in the workplace as listed in § 28-21-3 is labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:

(1) Identity of the designated substance; and

(2) Hazard warnings.

(b) When stationary containers in a work area have similar contents and hazards, the employer may post signs or placards to convey the required information rather than affixing labels to each individual container.

(c)(1) The employer shall ensure that each container of designated substance present or leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:

(i) Identity of the designated substance;

(ii) Hazard warnings; and

(iii) Name and address of the manufacturer or other responsible party who can provide additional information on the designated substance and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.

(2) There shall be no conflict with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq., and regulations issued under that act by the department of transportation.

(d) The employer need not affix new labels to comply with this section if existing labels already convey the necessary information.

(e) The employer is not required to label portable containers into which designated substances are transferred from labeled containers and that are intended only for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer.

(f) The employer shall not remove or deface existing labels on incoming containers of designated substances unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.

(g) Container as used in this chapter means any receptacle or formed flexible covering, including but not limited to: bags, barrels, boxes, cans, cylinders, drums, cartons, vessels, vats, and stationary or mobile storage tanks used solely for the storage of designated substances, but shall not include containers used as equipment where the designated substances are formulated, chemically reacted, or otherwise processed so long as records are available within the immediate location of the piece of equipment to designate the activity taking place in the container.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-36 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-36
§ 28-5-36. Decree for enforcement of commissions order.
Status: in_force

If no proceeding to obtain judicial review is instituted by a complainant, intervener, or respondent within thirty (30) days from the service of an order of the commission pursuant to § 28-5-24, the commission, or the complainant, may obtain a decree of the court for the enforcement of the order upon showing that respondent is subject to the commissions jurisdiction, and resides or transacts business within the county in which the petition for enforcement is brought.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-58.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-44 / Section 28-44-58.1
§ 28-44-58.1. Child support intercept of benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) An individual filing a new claim for benefits shall, at the time of filing the claim, disclose whether or not he or she owes child support obligations as defined under subsection (g) of this section. If any individual discloses that he or she owes child support obligations, and is determined to be eligible for benefits, the director shall notify the department of human services, bureau of family support that the individual has been determined to be eligible for benefits.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this title to the contrary, the director shall deduct and withhold from any compensation payable to an individual who owes child support obligations as defined under subsection (g) of this section:

(1) The amount specified by the individual to the director to be deducted and withheld under this subsection, if neither subsection (b)(2) nor (b)(3) of this section is applicable; or

(2) The amount determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the director under 42 U.S.C. § 654(19)(B)(i) by the department of human services, bureau of family support, unless subsection (b)(3) of this section is applicable; or

(3) Any amount otherwise required to be deducted and withheld from the benefits pursuant to legal process, as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. § 659(i)(5), properly served upon the director.

(c) Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (b) of this section shall be paid by the director to the department of human services, bureau of family support.

(d) Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (b) of this section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as benefits under chapters 42  44 of this title and paid by that individual to the department of human services, bureau of family support in satisfaction of the individuals child support obligations.

(e) For purposes of subsections (a) through (d) of this section, benefits means any compensation payable under this chapter, including amounts payable by the director pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(f) This section applies only if appropriate arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the department of human services, bureau of family support for the administrative costs incurred by the director under this section that are attributable to child support obligations being enforced by the department of human services, bureau of family support.

(g) Child support obligations is defined for purposes of this section as including only obligations that are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in 42 U.S.C. § 654 which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.

(h) Upon receipt of funds paid by the director under subsection (c) of this section, the department of human services, bureau of family support shall deposit and hold those funds in an escrow account until credit to the individuals child support obligation is made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-36 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-36
§ 28-35-36. Action by supreme court.
Status: in_force

The supreme court after hearing any appeal shall determine the appeal, and affirm, reverse, or modify the decree appealed from, and may itself take, or cause to be taken by the workers compensation court, any further proceedings that shall seem just. If a new decree is necessary, it shall be framed by the supreme court for entry by the workers compensation court. At that time, the cause shall be remanded to the workers compensation court for any further proceedings that shall be required.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-23 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-20 / Section 28-20-23
§ 28-20-23. Compensation of commission members  Assistance  Appropriations.
Status: in_force

Members of the commission shall receive no salary, but shall receive compensation not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each day spent in the discharge of their official duties, with a maximum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) annually. An official meeting of the commission shall be held by request of the director. The director is authorized and directed to provide the commission with the clerical, legal, and other assistance that shall be necessary to permit the commission to perform its duties as provided in this chapter. The reasonable and necessary traveling and other expenses of the members of the commission while actually engaged in the performance of their duties shall be paid from the state treasury and upon receipt of proper vouchers approved by the director and the chairperson of the commission. The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum that it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-40-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-40 / Section 28-40-3
§ 28-40-3. Withholding and disposition of contributions.
Status: in_force

Each employer shall withhold in trust contributions from the wages of his or her employees at the time those wages are earned or paid; shall show the deduction on his or her payroll records; and shall furnish to the employers employees any evidence of the deduction as the director may prescribe. Each employer shall transmit all contributions withheld to the temporary disability insurance fund in the manner, at the time, and under the conditions that shall be prescribed by regulations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-16-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-16 / Section 28-16-1
§ 28-16-1. Power of department to assist in enforcement of federal law.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island department of labor and training is empowered to assist and cooperate with the administrator of the wage and hour and public contracts division and the director of the bureau of labor standards of the United States Department of Labor, in the administration and the enforcement within this state of the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq. The department is further authorized to accept payment and/or reimbursement for its services as provided by that act. Assistance and cooperation may include the designation by the director of the department of labor and training of state employees to investigate federal and state violations of wage, hour, and child labor provisions and regulations and may provide for joint inspection.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9-15 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-9 / Section 28-9-15
§ 28-9-15. Application treated as motion.
Status: in_force

Any application to the court or a judge of the court under this chapter shall be made and heard in the manner provided by law for the making and hearing of motions, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-10-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-10 / Section 28-10-2
§ 28-10-2. Prerequisites and proof required for injunction.
Status: in_force

(a) No court of this state shall have jurisdiction to issue a temporary or permanent injunction in any case involving a labor dispute, except after hearing the testimony of witnesses in open court, with opportunity for cross-examination, in support of the allegations of a complaint made under oath, and testimony in opposition, if offered, and except after findings of fact by the court to the effect:

(1) That unlawful acts have been threatened and will be committed unless restrained or have been committed and will be continued unless restrained, but no injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued on account of any threat or unlawful act except against the person or persons, association, or organization making the threat or committing the unlawful act or actually authorizing or ratifying the unlawful act after actual knowledge of the unlawful act;

(2) That substantial and irreparable injury to complainants property will follow;

(3) That as to each item of relief granted greater injury will be inflicted upon the complainant by the denial of relief than will be inflicted upon the defendants by the granting of relief;

(4) That the complainant has no adequate remedy at law; and

(5) That the public officers charged with the duty to protect the complainants property are unable or unwilling to furnish adequate protection.

(b) The hearing shall be held after due and personal notice has been given, in any manner that the court directs, to all known persons against whom relief is sought, and also to the chief of those public officials of the city or town within which the unlawful acts have been threatened or committed charged with the duty to protect the complainants property; provided, that if a complainant also alleges that, unless a temporary restraining order is issued without notice, a substantial and irreparable injury to the complainants property will be unavoidable, a temporary restraining order may be issued upon testimony under oath, sufficient, if sustained, to justify the court in issuing a temporary injunction upon a hearing after notice, and a statement of the grounds justifying the issuance of the order shall be made a matter of record by the court; provided, further, that no temporary restraining order shall be issued except upon its also being made to appear to the satisfaction of the court, either from the testimony of witnesses or from written assurances filed by counsel, that:

(1) A principal representative or attorney of the employees or labor organizations participating in the dispute was informed of the time and place at which the application for a temporary restraining order would be presented sufficiently in advance to appear in opposition; or

(2) The complainant made every reasonable effort to comply with subsection (b)(1) of this section but was unable to do so; provided, that notification by mail alone shall not be deemed compliance with this section without proof of receipt.

(c) Testimony or written assurances shall set forth in detail the manner in which the complainant complied with subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section and shall be made part of the record in the case.

(d) If the defendants appear in opposition to the application for a temporary restraining order they shall be afforded an opportunity to cross-examine the complainants witnesses at any length that is reasonable under the circumstances and a like opportunity to introduce evidence in opposition.

(e) In case a restraining order is granted, the matter shall be returnable at the earliest and most reasonable time, but in no event later than three (3) days from the date of the order, and shall take precedence over all matters, except older matters of the same character. The court shall hear the matters on any day except Saturday and Sunday.

(f) The restraining order shall not be renewable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-45-10 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-45 / Section 28-45-10
§ 28-45-10. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) Apprenticeable occupation is an occupation that possesses all of the following characteristics:

(i) It is customarily learned in a practical way through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning.

(ii) It is clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry.

(iii) It involves the progressive attainment of manual, mechanical, or technical skills and knowledge, which is in accordance with the industry standard for the occupation, that requires the completion of at least a minimum of two thousand (2,000) hours of on-the-job learning to attain experience.

(iv) It requires related instruction to supplement the on-the-job learning.

(2) Apprenticeship agreement means a written agreement complying with 29 C.F.R. § 29.7 between an apprentice and either the apprenticeship program sponsor, or an apprenticeship committee acting as agent for the program sponsor(s), that contains the terms and conditions of the employment and training of the apprentice.

(3) Council means the apprenticeship council as established by § 28-45-2.

(4) OA means office of apprenticeship, United States Department of Labor.

(5) Secretary means Secretary of the United States Department of Labor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-21-12 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-21 / Section 28-21-12
§ 28-21-12. Physician treating employee  Accessibility to designated substances list.
Status: in_force

Any physician who is treating an employee and who believes that the employee has a health problem that may be the result of occupational exposure to a designated substance or substances shall have all rights of access to information afforded to any employee under this chapter, except that the information shall be provided to the physician upon his or her request and without regard to any time periods otherwise specified in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-47-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-47 / Section 28-47-1
§ 28-47-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this chapter the term employers shall include:

(1) Employers with related activity in a given industry employing persons who perform work in connection with the given industry;

(2) An incorporated or unincorporated association or associations consisting exclusively of those employers provided they employ persons who perform that related work in the given industry; and

(3) A combination of employers as described in subsection (a)(1) and an association or associations of employers as described in subsection (a)(2).

(b) The director is the director of the department of business regulation.

(c) Employee leasing company means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other form of business entity whose business consists largely of providing workers to one or more client companies by means of employee leasing arrangements.

(d) Group self-insurance as used in this chapter, shall be deemed to be the system of securing compensation as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-7 / Section 28-7-4
§ 28-7-4. Labor relations board  Creation  Appointment, qualifications, terms, and removal of members.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created in the department of labor and training a board to be known as the Rhode Island state labor relations board that shall be composed of seven (7) members who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Each member of the board at the time of appointment shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the state of Rhode Island, and shall be a qualified elector in the state. Three (3) members of the board shall be representatives of labor, three (3) members shall represent management, including at least one representative of local government, and one member shall be a representative of the public generally.

(b) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 222, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 310, § 1.]

(c) The members of the board shall be appointed for terms of six (6) years each, except that any individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom the newly appointed member succeeds.

(d) The governor shall designate one member to serve as chairperson of the board.

(e) Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office, and for no other cause, after being given a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-67 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-67
§ 28-42-67. Disposition of fines.
Status: repealed

All fines specified or provided for in §§ 28-42-62 [repealed], 28-42- 62.1, 28-42-63 [repealed], 28-42-64, and 28-42-65  28-42-66 shall be paid to the employment security tardy account fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-16-3 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-16 / Section 28-16-3
§ 28-16-3. Receipt and disbursement of federal funds  State appropriations.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer shall receive and provide for the proper custody of all funds paid to the state from the federal treasury under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., and shall disburse those funds upon orders drawn by the controller upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of the department of labor and training. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing the department of labor and training to spend in excess of its appropriation from state funds except to the extent that the excess may be paid and/or the appropriation may be reimbursed by the United States Department of Labor through the federal treasury; and, provided, that the payment and request for reimbursement shall be approved by the director of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-1
§ 28-5-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the State Fair Employment Practices Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-63 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-35 / Section 28-35-63
§ 28-35-63. Representation of employers.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any proceeding before the workers compensation court an employer may be represented by an attorney at law or by any officer or employee of the employer who has been specifically registered by the employer with the permission of the court as a representative of the employer for those proceedings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-3 / Section 28-3-2
§ 28-3-2. Production of certificate of age on demand by compliance inspector.
Status: in_force

Whenever any truant officer or compliance inspector has reason to doubt that any child employed in any factory, mechanical, manufacturing, or business establishment has reached the age of sixteen (16) years, the compliance inspector shall demand of the childs employer that the employer shall furnish him or her within ten (10) days a certificate of age issued by the department of elementary and secondary education. If the employer refuses or fails to produce the certificate within ten (10) days, or in case the certificate does not show that the child has completed sixteen (16) years of life, the employer shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be subject to a fine of twenty dollars ($20.00). For the purpose of this chapter, the department of elementary and secondary education shall determine the age of the child on the presentation of a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, or other evidence satisfactory to it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-48 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-48
§ 28-42-48. State funds for employment service.
Status: in_force

All funds made available by the general assembly for the state employment service shall be paid into the employment security administration account created by § 28-42-25, and those funds are made available to the director to be expended as provided by chapters 42  44 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-45-17 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-45 / Section 28-45-17
§ 28-45-17. Union participation.
Status: in_force

Under a program proposed for registration by an employer or employers association, and where the standards, collective bargaining agreement, or other instrument provides for participation by a union in any manner in the operation of the substantive matters of the apprenticeship program, and that participation is exercised, written acknowledgement of union agreement or no objection to the registration is required. Where no participation is evidenced and practiced, the employer or employers association shall simultaneously furnish to the union, if any, that is the collective bargaining agent of the employees to be trained, a copy of its application for registration and of the apprenticeship program. The department of labor and training shall provide a reasonable time period of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than forty-five (45) days for receipt of union comments, if any, before final action on the application for registration, approval, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-18-4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-18 / Section 28-18-4
§ 28-18-4. Revocation or suspension of license or certificate.
Status: in_force

The director of labor and training may revoke or suspend the license of any employer or the certificate of any industrial homeworker for a violation by that employer or industrial homeworker of the terms of his or her license or certificate or any provisions of this chapter, or of any regulation made by the director of labor and training, or for noncompliance with an order issued by him or her within the time specified in the order. No license or certificate shall be refused, revoked, or suspended unless the holder previously had reasonable notice and the opportunity to be heard.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-18 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-44 / Section 28-44-18
§ 28-44-18. Discharge for misconduct.
Status: in_force

(a) For benefit years beginning prior to July 1, 2012, an individual who has been discharged for proved misconduct connected with his or her work shall become ineligible for waiting period credit or benefits for the week in which that discharge occurred and until he or she establishes to the satisfaction of the director that he or she has, subsequent to that discharge, had at least eight (8) weeks of work, and in each of that eight (8) weeks has had earnings of at least twenty (20) times the minimum hourly wage as defined in chapter 12 of this title for performing services in employment for one or more employers subject to chapters 42  44 of this title. For benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2012, and prior to July 6, 2014, an individual who has been discharged for proved misconduct connected with his or her work shall become ineligible for waiting period credit or benefits for the week in which that discharge occurred and until he or she establishes to the satisfaction of the director that he or she has, subsequent to that discharge, had at least eight (8) weeks of work, and in each of that eight (8) weeks has had earnings greater than, or equal to, his or her weekly benefit rate for performing services in employment for one or more employers subject to chapters 42  44 of this title. For benefit years beginning on or after July 6, 2014, an individual who has been discharged for proved misconduct connected with his or her work shall become ineligible for waiting period credit or benefits for the week in which that discharge occurred and until he or she establishes to the satisfaction of the director that he or she has, subsequent to that discharge, had earnings greater than, or equal to eight (8) times, his or her weekly benefit rate for performing services in employment for one or more employers subject to chapters 42  44 of this title. Any individual who is required to leave his or her work pursuant to a plan, system, or program, public or private, providing for retirement, and who is otherwise eligible, shall under no circumstances be deemed to have been discharged for misconduct. If an individual is discharged and a complaint is issued by the regional office of the National Labor Relations board or the state labor relations board that an unfair labor practice has occurred in relation to the discharge, the individual shall be entitled to benefits if otherwise eligible. For the purposes of this section, misconduct is defined as deliberate conduct in willful disregard of the employers interest, or a knowing violation of a reasonable and uniformly enforced rule or policy of the employer, provided that such violation is not shown to be as a result of the employees incompetence. Notwithstanding any other provisions of chapters 42  44 of this title, this section shall be construed in a manner that is fair and reasonable to both the employer and the employed worker.

(b) For the purposes of chapters 42  44 of this title, a suspension without pay from work for proved misconduct shall be treated as a discharge for proved misconduct and subject to the same conditions as a discharge for proved misconduct in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-4.4 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-12 / Section 28-12-4.4
§ 28-12-4.4. Regulations.
Status: repealed

The director of labor and training shall by regulations define and delimit the employees designated in § 28-12-4.3. Before any regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed, there shall be a public hearing on it at which all persons in favor of or opposed to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the regulation may be heard. Notice of the public hearing shall be published at least once not less than twenty (20) days prior to the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the state. A record shall be made of all proceedings at the public hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-3.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-39 / Section 28-39-3.1
§ 28-39-3.1. Employees of certain governmental entities eligible by election.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of chapters 39  41 of this title, a governmental entity that is a political subdivision or instrumentality of a political subdivision, or an instrumentality of more than one of them or any instrumentality of them and one or more other political subdivisions, may become subject to those chapters by election. The appropriate political subdivision may for itself or any pertinent instrumentality of it elect that all services performed by individuals or specific classes of individuals in its employ shall be deemed to constitute employment subject to these chapters with exceptions set forth in § 28-39-3.3; provided, that if the instrumentality pertains to more than one political subdivision, all those subdivisions shall be required to be parties to the election. Upon the approval of an election as provided in § 28-39-3.2, the governmental entity shall, for the purposes of these chapters, be deemed to be an employer of the individual or classes of individuals for whom the election is approved. Except as otherwise provided in this title, all other provisions of these chapters shall continue to be applicable in connection with the employment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-25-16 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-25 / Section 28-25-16
§ 28-25-16. Penalty for violations  Complaints.
Status: in_force

(a) A person shall be deemed to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter who:

(1) Refuses to have inspected any boiler or pressure vessel requiring inspection under the provisions of this chapter;

(2) Permits any boiler or pressure vessel to operate at a greater pressure than is allowed by the certificate;

(3) Uses any boiler or pressure vessel requiring inspection under the provisions of this chapter before a certificate is issued;

(4) Uses any boiler or pressure vessel after its certificate expires;

(5) Uses any boiler or pressure vessel newly erected or installed before a certificate is furnished by the division; or

(6) Refuses to allow the inspector free access to any boiler or pressure vessel at any reasonable time whether or not the boiler or pressure vessel is subjected to inspection under the provisions of this chapter.

(b)(1) In the event the administrator has reason to believe that the condition of a boiler or pressure vessel threatens physical harm or imminent danger to the community, then the administrator is authorized to prohibit the use of the boiler or pressure vessel by appropriate means after written notification of the nature of the violation and repairs required is presented to the owner, engineer, or other person in charge of the boiler or pressure vessel.

(2)(i) Failure to comply with an order constitutes a violation and is subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation imposed by the department of labor and training on the owner/user.

(ii) Each day a violation is continued constitutes a separate offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-37 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-42 / Section 28-42-37
§ 28-42-37. Advisory council.
Status: in_force

(a) The human resource investment council shall establish a state advisory council of eight (8) members. Four (4) of the members shall be appointed by the governor from recommendations made by the human resource investment council; two (2) of those members shall be persons who, because of vocation, employment, or affiliation can be classed as employers and two (2) of those members shall be persons who because of vocation, employment, or affiliation can be classed as employees. The chair of the house committee on labor, the chair of the senate committee on labor, the executive director of the economic policy council, and the director of the department of labor and training shall serve on the council by virtue of their respective positions. The council shall aid the director of the department of labor and training in formulating policies and solving problems relating to the administration of chapters 42  44 of this title, and in assuring impartiality, neutrality, and freedom from partisan influence in the solution of those problems.

(b) The council shall provide on or before March 31 of each year to the governor and the general assembly a written report describing its activities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-5.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-27 / Section 28-27-5.1
§ 28-27-5.1. Practices for which a journeyperson or apprentice license required.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall engage to work as a pipefitter, refrigeration/air conditioning, or sprinkler fitter journeyperson or apprentice, or journeyperson sheet metal worker or apprentice, or shall advertise or represent in any form or matter that they are a journeyperson or apprentice, unless that person possesses and carries on their person at all times while so engaged a valid license issued by the department of labor and training qualifying that person as a journeyperson or registered apprentice pursuant to § 28-45-13.

(b) A person holding a valid license under this chapter shall not be required to obtain an additional license under this chapter to perform sheet metal work when AC air handling equipment is ten (10) tons or less or when heating equipment does not exceed 250,000 BTUs.

(c) A holder of a journeyperson license shall only be entitled to work as an employee of the properly licensed master permit holder in accordance with this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-36-1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-36 / Section 28-36-1
§ 28-36-1. Insurance or filing of bond required.
Status: in_force

(a) Every employer subject to or who or that has elected to become subject to chapters 29  38 of this title as provided in §28-29-8 shall secure in one of the following ways the compensation for which the employer is or may become liable under those chapters:

(1) By insuring and keeping insured against liability to pay the compensation in any stock or mutual company, or association, authorized and qualified to do business in this state and to take those risks in this state;

(2)(i) By furnishing to the director of labor and training satisfactory proof of his or her financial ability to pay directly to injured employees or their dependents the compensation, and by furnishing security, indemnity, or a bond in kind and in amount satisfactory to the director. The bond shall run to the director for the benefit of the employees and their dependents and with the indemnity or security shall be deposited with him or her;

(ii) Should the self-insured employer be unable to pay claims then the director shall call on the security, indemnity, or bond in kind. If these funds are deposited in a state account, the account shall be an interest-bearing account and all accrued interest shall only be for the benefit of employees and dependents of the self-insured employer;

(3)(i) By a combination of subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, the employer may self-insure for a sum certain by furnishing security, indemnity, or a bond in kind and amount equal to the sum certain, together with insurance for loss in excess of the sum certain.

(ii) The provisions of subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section shall apply upon compliance with the reasonable criteria and rules and regulations as established by the director to qualify and safeguard the underlying amounts of self-insurance; or

(4) By becoming a member of an authorized group self-insurance fund pursuant to chapter 47 of this title.

(b)(1) All employers who or that apply for approval to self-insure for all or part of their liability, pursuant to subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section, shall pay an application fee based upon the number of employees located at the employers place(s) of business in Rhode Island. The fees for new applications are set in accordance with the following schedule:

(2) There is established a restricted-receipt account within the department of labor and training into which shall be deposited the application fees set forth in subsection (b)(1) of this section and the revenue derived from the assessment set forth in subsection (b)(3) of this section. This account shall be used solely for the payment of the expenses of the department of labor and training in performing its duties under this section and § 28-36-2. If an employer receives approval to self-insure from the director for all or part of its liability pursuant to subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section, the application fee paid by that employer shall be applied as a credit to reduce the amount of the assessment apportioned to that employer pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of this section.

(3) The director of labor and training and the department of administration, annually, as soon as practicable prior to the start of the fiscal year, in each succeeding year, shall ascertain the total amount of expenses, including in addition to the direct costs of personal services: (i) The cost of maintenance and operation; (ii) The cost of retirement contributions made and workers compensation premiums to be paid by the state for or on account of personnel; (iii) Rentals for space to be occupied in state-owned or state-leased buildings; and (iv) All other direct or indirect costs to be incurred by the department of labor in the next fiscal year in carrying out its responsibilities under this section and § 28-36-2. Those expenses shall be assessed against all employers who or that self-insure for all or part of their liability under chapters 29  38 of this title. The basis of apportionment of the assessment against each employer shall be that proportion of those expenses that the penal sum of the surety bond, indemnity, or security of each employer at the close of the preceding fiscal year bears to the total of the penal sum of all bonds, indemnity, or security for all employers.

(4)(i) In addition to current classified positions in the department of labor and training self-insurance unit, consisting of administrator, hearing officer, supervising trainer, and senior clerk stenographer, there shall be funded as unclassified positions:

(A) Two (2) administrative aide positions; and

(B) Two (2) financial evaluator analysts.

(ii) This staffs and/or any consultants studies on feasibility and/or audits, as assessed by the administrator according to the rules of the department at the expense of any self-insured or proposed self-insured entity, shall be reported to the director of the department in the course of the department operations on the administration of the self-insurance unit. All funds are from the restricted receipt account of the department as collected by the self-insurance unit pursuant to subsections (b)(1)  (b)(3) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-24 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-5 / Section 28-5-24
§ 28-5-24. Injunctive and other remedies  Compliance.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) If upon all the testimony taken the commission determines that the respondent has engaged in or is engaging in unlawful employment practices, the commission shall state its findings of fact and shall issue and cause to be served on the respondent an order requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the unlawful employment practices, and to take any further affirmative or other action that will effectuate the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading of employees with or without back pay, or admission or restoration to union membership, including a requirement for reports of the manner of compliance. Back pay shall include the economic value of all benefits and raises to which an employee would have been entitled had an unfair employment practice not been committed, plus interest on those amounts.

(2) Where an unlawful employment practice has been established under § 28-5-7.3, the commission need not award hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading with back pay if the respondent establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that it would have taken the same action in the absence of any unlawful motivating factor.

(3) In appropriate circumstances, attorneys fees, including expert fees and other litigation expenses, may be granted to the attorney for the plaintiff if he or she prevails. Upon the submission of reports of compliance the commission, if satisfied with the reports, may issue its finding that the respondent has ceased to engage in unlawful employment practices.

(b) If the commission finds that the respondent has engaged in intentional discrimination in violation of this chapter, the commission, in addition, may award compensatory damages. The complainant shall not be required to prove that he or she has suffered physical harm or physical manifestation of injury in order to be awarded compensatory damages. As used in this section, the term compensatory damages does not include back pay or interest on back pay, and the term intentional discrimination in violation of this chapter means any unlawful employment practice except one that is solely based on a demonstration of disparate impact.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-7.1 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-29 / Section 28-29-7.1
§ 28-29-7.1. Exemption from workers compensation  Certain real estate persons.
Status: in_force

A licensed real estate broker or real estate salesperson or a licensed or certified real estate appraiser shall not be considered an employee under the provisions of this chapter if substantially all of the remuneration for the services performed by the broker, salesperson, or appraiser, whether paid in cash or otherwise, is directly related to sales or other output rather than to the number of hours worked, and the services are performed by the broker, salesperson, or appraiser pursuant to a written contract that contains the following provisions:

(1) The broker, salesperson, or appraiser, for purposes of workers compensation, is engaged as an independent contractor associated with the person for whom services are performed;

(2) The broker or salesperson shall be paid a commission based on his or her gross sales, if any, without deduction for taxes, which commission shall be directly related to sales or other output;

(3) The broker, salesperson, or appraiser shall not receive any remuneration related to the number of hours worked, and shall not be treated as an employee with respect to the services for the purposes of this chapter;

(4) The broker, salesperson, or appraiser shall be permitted to work any hours he or she chooses;

(5) The broker, salesperson, or appraiser shall be permitted to work out of his or her own home or the office of the person for whom services are performed;

(6) The broker, salesperson, or appraiser shall be free to engage in outside employment; and

(7) The person for whom the services are performed may provide office facilities and supplies for the use of the broker, salesperson, or appraiser, but the broker, salesperson, or appraiser shall otherwise pay his or her own expenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-2 — RI Code / Title 28 / Chapter 28-14 / Section 28-14-2
§ 28-14-2. Payment of wages  Form of payment  Establishment of regular paydays.
Status: in_force

Every employer shall establish a regular payday on which wages shall be paid in full in lawful money of the United States, or checks on banks convertible into cash on demand at full face value. Each employee must be notified in writing, or by posted notice that may readily be seen by all employees, of a change in the scheduled payday at least three (3) paydays in advance of a scheduled change. Each scheduled payday shall fall within nine (9) days of the end of the payroll period for which wages are computed unless prevented by inevitable casualty; provided, that if the ninth (9th) day is a holiday, payment upon the next business day shall be deemed a compliance with the terms of this section; and provided, further, that if at any time of payment any employee is absent from his or her place of labor, he or she shall be entitled to payment on demand at any time thereafter.