R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-5.3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-1 / Section 23-1-5.3
§ 23-1-5.3. Duties of the office of private well water contamination.
Status: in_force

The office of private well water contamination shall:

(1) Coordinate the response of all state agencies to instances of private well water contamination;

(2) Inform public officials of private well contamination events occurring within their jurisdictions and advise them of any actions proposed by the department of health or other state agencies;

(3) Advise private well owners, public officials and others on applicable federal and state policies, regulations, and standards relative to private well water contamination;

(4) Develop educational materials describing drinking water quality standards for private wells, private well testing requirements, groundwater contamination and existing programs and procedures for its abatement and prevention;

(5) Develop regulations establishing procedures for providing emergency response to private well water contamination including the provision of bottled water and/or water filters where appropriate;

(6) Develop and promulgate any rules and regulations that are necessary to establish drinking water quality standards for private wells, and shall be subject to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42. As a minimum, these rules and regulations shall:

(i) Specifically identify all contaminants to be tested, as well as the acceptable level for each contaminant;

(ii) Require testing for coliform bacteria, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, nitrite and turbidity of all new private wells prior to being placed into service as a source of drinking water;

(iii) Require testing for coliform bacteria, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, nitrite and turbidity of all private wells currently in service, or capable of being placed in service, as a source of drinking water, prior to sale of a property upon which they are located or serviced;

(iv) Require the property owner to disclose the results of any previous well water testing prior to sale or lease of a property upon which the well(s) are located or serviced;

(v) Establish minimum qualifications for professionals engaged in sampling private water wells and preparing opinions relating to the quality of the water;

(vi) Establish requirements and procedures for reporting the results of all private well testing to the director of health and municipal building officials;

(vii) Establish specific guidance for municipal building officials as to what constitutes potable water for a private well, and contaminant levels which constitute a public health concern with regard to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and recommendations for further testing beyond that required in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this subdivision; and

(7) Establish and maintain a database showing known areas where there are contaminants of concern to public health and make these results available to the public through the website of the department of health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-60-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-60 / Section 23-60-3
§ 23-60-3. Deposit on vehicle batteries.
Status: in_force

(a) A dealer shall not refuse to accept from any consumer any used vehicle battery, in reasonably clean and substantially unbroken condition as an exchange with the purchase of a new vehicle battery.

(b) A dealer may add a core charge to the sale of a battery. The core charge shall be waived when a used vehicle battery is delivered to the dealer at the time of purchase. The deposit shall be returned to the consumer when a used vehicle battery is delivered to the dealer by the consumer within seven (7) days of date of purchase of the new battery.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-1 / Section 23-1-1
§ 23-1-1. General functions of department.
Status: in_force

The department of health shall take cognizance of the interests of life and health among the peoples of the state; shall make investigations into the causes of disease, the prevalence of epidemics and endemics among the people, the sources of mortality, the effect of localities, employments and all other conditions and circumstances on the public health, and do all in its power to ascertain the causes and the best means for the prevention and control of diseases or conditions detrimental to the public health, and adopt proper and expedient measures to prevent and control diseases and conditions detrimental to the public health in the state. It shall publish and circulate, from time to time, information that the director may deem to be important and useful for diffusion among the people of the state, and shall investigate and give advice in relation to those subjects relating to public health that may be referred to it by the general assembly or by the governor when the general assembly is not in session, or when requested by any city or town. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations that it deems necessary, not inconsistent with law, to carry out the purposes of this section; provided, however, that the department shall not require all nonprofit volunteer ambulance, rescue service, and volunteer fire departments to have two (2) or more certified emergency medical technicians manning ambulances or rescue vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-5
§ 23-17-5. Application for license.
Status: in_force

An application for a license shall be made to the licensing agency upon forms provided by it and shall contain any information that the licensing agency reasonably requires, which may include affirmative evidence of ability to comply with reasonable standards, rules, and regulations that are lawfully prescribed under this chapter. Each application shall be accompanied by payment of the fees prescribed in accordance with § 23-17-38.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-38-2.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-38 / Section 23-38-2.1
§ 23-38-2.1. Metal beverage container rings or tabs required to be nondetachable.
Status: in_force

No beverage shall be sold, offered for sale, or distributed within the state in a metal container designed and constructed so that the container is opened by detaching a metal ring or tab, except if the tab is made of tape, foil, or other soft material.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-17 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-17
§ 23-19-17. Capital reserve funds and appropriations.
Status: in_force

(a) The corporation may create and establish one or more special funds (referred to as capital reserve funds) and shall pay into each capital reserve fund:

(1) Any money appropriated and made available by the state for the purpose of the fund;

(2) Any proceeds of the sale of notes or bonds to the extent provided in the resolution or resolutions of the corporation authorizing the issuance of notes or bonds; and

(3) Any other money which may be made available to the corporation for the purpose of the fund from any other source or sources.

(b) All money held in any capital reserve fund, except as hereinafter provided, shall be used, as required, solely for the payment of the principal of bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund or of the sinking fund payments hereinafter mentioned with respect to the bonds, the purchase or redemption of the bonds, the payment of interest on the bonds or the payment of any redemption premium required to be paid when the bonds are redeemed prior to maturity; provided, however, that money in the fund shall not be withdrawn at any time in an amount that would reduce the amount of the fund to less than the minimum capital reserve requirement established for the fund as hereinafter provided except for the purpose of making, with respect to bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund, payment when due, of principal, interest, redemption premiums, and the sinking fund payments hereinafter mentioned for the payment of which other moneys of the corporation are not available. Any income or interest earned by, or incremental to, any capital reserve fund due to the investment thereof, may be transferred by the corporation to other funds or accounts of the corporation to the extent it does not reduce the amount of the capital reserve fund below the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund.

(c)(1) The corporation shall not at any time issue bonds secured in whole or in part by a capital reserve fund, if, upon the issuance of the bonds, the amount in the capital reserve fund will be less than the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund, unless the corporation, at the time of the issuance of the bonds, shall deposit in the fund from the proceeds of the bonds to be issued, or from other sources, an amount which, together with the amount then in the fund, will not be less than the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund.

(2) For the purposes of this section, minimum capital reserve fund requirement means an amount of money, as provided in the resolution or resolutions of the corporation authorizing the bonds or notes with respect to which the fund is established, equal to not more than the greatest of the respective amounts, for the current or any future fiscal year of the corporation, of annual debt service on the bonds of the corporation secured in whole or in part by the fund, the annual debt service for any fiscal year being the amount of money equal to the aggregate of:

(i) All interest payable during the fiscal year on all bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund outstanding on the date of computation; plus

(ii) The principal amount of all the bonds outstanding on the date of computation which mature during the fiscal year; plus

(iii) All amounts specified in any resolution of the authority authorizing any of the bonds as payable during the fiscal year as a sinking fund payment with respect to any of the bonds which mature after the fiscal year, all calculated on the assumption that the bonds will after the date of computation cease to be outstanding by reason, but only by reason, of the payment of bonds when due and application in accordance with the resolution authorizing those bonds of all the sinking fund payments payable at or after the date of computation.

(d) In computing the amount of the capital reserve funds for the purpose of this section, securities in which all or a portion of the funds shall be invested shall be valued as provided in the proceedings under which the bonds are authorized, but in no event shall be valued at a value greater than par.

(e) To assure the continued operation and solvency of the corporation for the carrying out of its corporate purposes, provision is made in subsection (a) for the accumulation in each capital reserve fund of an amount equal to the minimum capital reserve fund requirements for the fund. To further assure the maintenance of the capital reserve funds, the chairperson of the corporation shall annually, on or before December 1st, make and deliver to the governor his or her certificate stating the sum, if any, required to restore each capital reserve fund to the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund. During each January session of the general assembly, the governor shall submit to the general assembly printed copies of a budget including the sum, if any, required to restore each capital reserve fund to the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund. All sums appropriated by the general assembly, if any, and paid to the corporation shall be deposited by the corporation in the applicable capital reserve fund.

(f) All amounts paid over to the corporation by the state pursuant to the provisions of this section shall constitute and be accounted for as advances by the state to the corporation and, subject to the rights of the holders of any bonds or notes of the corporation previously or thereafter issued, shall be repaid to the state without interest from all available operating revenues of the corporation in excess of amounts required for the payment of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the corporation, the capital reserve funds and operating expenses.

(g) The corporation shall create and establish any other funds that may be necessary or desirable for its corporate purposes.

(h) The corporation may by resolution permit the issuance of bonds and notes to carry out the purposes of this chapter without establishing a capital reserve fund pursuant to this section and without complying with the limitations set forth in this section. Bonds and notes issued pursuant to this subsection may be secured by any other funds or methods that the corporation may in its discretion determine by resolution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-26-20 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-26 / Section 23-26-20
§ 23-26-20. Form of tags.
Status: in_force

Whenever a tag is required by this chapter, it shall be approved by the director and shall be made of muslin, linen, or other material of like durability and shall be the same color stock throughout. Paper faced tags shall not be used. For designating all new material, the tag shall be white; for designating second-hand or renovated material or articles the tag shall be yellow; for designating articles or materials placed off sale by the director the tag shall be blue; and for designating articles or materials exposed to infectious or contagious disease and declared unclean by the director, the tag shall be red. Statements required on tags shall be legibly printed or stamped on one side only, in the English language and in letters at least one-eighth of an inch ( ") in height. When the director approves a tag, a registry number shall be assigned, and the registry number shall appear on all tags attached to articles of bedding which do not contain the name and address of the manufacturer. Tags attached to mattresses or pillows shall be at least six square inches (6") in area. The director may permit smaller tags and may require larger tags for other articles. On each tag, there shall be a certification that the article complies with the requirements of law, but the tag also may state that the article complies with the laws of any other state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-17 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-17
§ 23-3-17. Fetal death registration.
Status: in_force

(a) A fetal death certificate for each fetal death which occurs in this state after a gestation period of twenty (20) completed weeks or more shall be filed with the state registrar of vital records or as otherwise directed by the state registrar within seven (7) calendar days after the delivery and prior to removal of the fetus from the state, and shall be registered if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this section; provided:

(1) That if the place of fetal death is unknown, a fetal death certificate shall be filed with the state registrar of vital records or as otherwise directed by the state registrar within seven (7) calendar days after the occurrence; and

(2) That if a fetal death occurs on a moving conveyance, a fetal death certificate shall be filed with the state registrar of vital records or as otherwise directed by the state registrar.

(b) All other fetal deaths, irrespective of the number of weeks uterogestation, shall be reported directly to the state department of health within seven (7) calendar days after delivery.

(c) The funeral director, his or her duly authorized agent, or another person acting as agent, who first assumes custody of a fetus, shall file the fetal death certificate. In the absence of a funeral director or agent, the physician or another person in attendance at or after delivery shall file the certificate of fetal death. He or she shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available. He or she shall obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible for the certification.

(d) The medical certification shall be completed and signed within forty-eight (48) hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery except when inquiry is required by chapter 4 of this title.

(e) When a fetal death occurs without medical attendance upon the mother at or after the delivery or when inquiry is required by chapter 4 of this title, the medical examiner shall investigate the cause of fetal death and shall complete and sign the medical certification within forty-eight (48) hours after taking charge of the case.

(f) Each funeral director shall, on or before the tenth (10th) day of the following month, file a report with the state registrar of vital records listing funerals and/or decedents serviced following deaths or fetal deaths within the month. Failure to file these reports or any of the certificates required under § 23-3-16 and this section within the prescribed time limits shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including revocation of license by the state board of examiners in embalming.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-23 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-23
§ 23-33-23. Safety devices on elevators.
Status: in_force

All hoistway or elevator openings through floors shall be fully enclosed by two (2) hour fire rated construction with one and one half (1Â½) hour fire rated doors. Any passenger elevator which is not constructed so as to allow egress of persons from the elevator in any position in which it might be stopped, by accident or otherwise, shall be constructed or arranged so that the roof or the top of the elevator, or a sufficient portion thereof to allow egress of persons from it, may be conveniently opened from the top of the car; all elevators shall be equipped with an alarm warning device, or other means which shall emit a signal when the elevator is stuck between floors; and no elevator shall be thereafter used or operated which shall not be so constructed or arranged. Every elevator, except plunger elevators, shall be provided with some approved safety arrangement to prevent falling, and every elevator shall be fitted with some suitable device to prevent the elevator car from being started until the door or doors opening into the elevator shaft are closed; and no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall take charge of or operate any elevator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-82-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-82 / Section 23-82-3
§ 23-82-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Allowance means an authorization to emit a fixed amount of carbon dioxide;

(2) Board means the renewable energy coordinating board established pursuant to chapter 42-140.3.

(3) Council means the energy efficiency and resources management council;

(4) Department means department of environmental management;

(5) Office means the office of energy resources; and

(6) Regional greenhouse gas initiative or RGGI means the memorandum of understanding (MOU) dated December 20, 2005, as may be amended, and corresponding model rule, as may be amended, that establishes an electric power sector carbon emissions cap and trade program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-50 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-50
§ 23-17-50. Physician ambulatory-surgery center  Accreditation, survey, complaint investigation, and exemptions.
Status: in_force

(a) Accreditation from a national organization acceptable to the director may be required, at the discretion of the director, in lieu of an annual survey by the department.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not limit in any way the prerogatives of the director to inspect any physician ambulatory-surgery center at any reasonable time, whether for purpose of general survey or for complaint investigation. The director has access to all records of the licensed physician ambulatory-surgery center including medical records.

(c) Single practice physician ambulatory-surgery centers as defined in § 23-17-2(17) are exempt from the requirements of chapter 15 of this title.

(d) Single practice physician ambulatory-surgery centers as defined in § 23-17-2(17) are exempt from the provisions of §§ 23-17-14.3 and 23-17-14.4 with respect to initial licensure under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-95-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-95 / Section 23-95-3
§ 23-95-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

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

(1) Anatomical gift means a donation of all or part of a human body to take effect after the donors death for the purpose of transplantation or transfusion.

(2) Auxiliary aids or services means an aid or service that is used to provide information to an individual with a cognitive, developmental, intellectual, neurological, or physical disability and is available in a format or manner that allows the individual to better understand the information. An auxiliary aid or service may include:

(i) Qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to persons with hearing impairments;

(ii) Qualified readers, taped texts, texts in accessible electronic format, or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to persons with visual impairments;

(iii) Supported decision-making services, including:

(A) The use of a support individual to communicate information to the individual with a disability, ascertain the wishes of the individual, or assist the individual in making decisions;

(B) The disclosure of information to a legal guardian, authorized representative, or another individual designated by the individual with a disability for such purpose, as long as the disclosure is consistent with state and federal law, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., and any regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to implement the act;

(C) If an individual has a court-appointed guardian or other individual responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of the individual, any measures used to ensure that the individual is included in decisions involving the individuals health care and that medical decisions are in accordance with the individuals own expressed interests;

(D) Any other aid or service that is used to provide information in a format that is easily understandable and accessible to individuals with cognitive, neurological, developmental, or intellectual disabilities, including assistive communication technology.

(3) Covered entity means:

(i) Any licensed provider of healthcare services, including licensed healthcare practitioners, hospitals, nursing facilities, laboratories, intermediate care facilities, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, institutions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and prison health centers;

(ii) Any entity responsible for matching anatomical gift donors to potential recipients.

(4) Disability means a disability as defined in § 42-87-1 in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, at 42 U.S.C. § 12102.

(5) Organ transplant means the transplantation or transfusion of a part of a human body into the body of another for the purpose of treating or curing a medical condition.

(6) Qualified recipient means an individual who has a disability and meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of an anatomical gift with or without any of the following:

(i) Individuals or entities available to support and assist the individual with an anatomical gift or transplantation;

(ii) Auxiliary aids or services;

(iii) Reasonable modifications to the policies, practices, or procedures of a covered entity, including modifications to allow for either or both of the following:

(A) Communication with one or more individuals or entities available to support or assist with the recipients care and medication after surgery or transplantation;

(B) Consideration of support networks available to the individual, including family, friends, and home and community-based services, including home and community-based services funded through Medicaid, Medicare, another health plan in which the individual is enrolled, or any program or source of funding available to the individual, when determining whether the individual is able to comply with post-transplant medical requirements.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-87-4 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-87 / Section 23-87-4
§ 23-87-4. Establishment of the lupus study commission.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the department of health shall establish and coordinate a study commission on lupus consisting of eleven (11) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the director of the department of health. The first chairperson shall be a representative of the Lupus Foundation of New England and shall serve for a two (2) year term. Subsequent chairpersons shall be elected by the membership of the study commission from among its members.

(b) The commission shall be composed of:

(1) Three (3) individuals with lupus;

(2) One scientist with experience in lupus and who participates in various fields of scientific endeavor, including, but not limited to, biomedical research, social, translational, behavioral or epidemiological research recommended by the medical and scientific council of the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc;

(3) Two (2) physicians with experience in treating people with lupus and recommended by the Rhode Island medical society;

(4) One nurse practitioner with experience in treating people with lupus and recommended by the Rhode Island nurse practitioners council;

(5) One local representative from the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. and one representative from the Lupus Foundation of New England;

(6) One representative recommended by the department of healths minority health advisory committee; and

(7) One representative recommended by the womens health council of Rhode Island.

(c) Members of the commission shall serve terms of two (2) years. A member may be appointed to serve not more than two (2) terms, whether or not consecutive.

(d) The commission shall meet at the call of the chair and no less than on a quarterly basis each year.

(e) Six (6) members of the study commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the study commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-9.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-9.1
§ 23-33-9.1. Owners responsibility.
Status: in_force

(a) Each owner of an elevator, or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall maintain the elevator or device in such a manner by code requirement to insure the safety of all those who use this mode of transportation.

(b) Each owner shall comply with all safety codes, rules, and regulations promulgated under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-59-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-59 / Section 23-59-1
§ 23-59-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Continuing care means providing or committing to provide board, lodging, and nursing services to an individual, other than an individual related by blood or marriage: (i) pursuant to an agreement effective for the life of the individual or for a period in excess of one year, including mutually terminable contracts, and (ii) in consideration of the payment of an entrance fee and/or periodic charges. A contract shall be deemed to be one offering nursing services, irrespective of whether such services are provided under the contract, if nursing services are offered to the resident entering the contract either at the facility in question or pursuant to arrangement specifically offered to residents of the facility.

(2) Department means the Rhode Island state department of health.

(3) Entrance fee means an initial or deferred transfer to a provider of a sum of money or other property made or promised to be made in advance or at some future time as full or partial consideration for acceptance of a specified individual as a resident in a facility. A fee which is less than the sum of the regular periodic charges for one year of residency shall not be considered to be an entrance fee.

(4) Facility means the place or places in which a person undertakes to provide continuing care to an individual.

(5) Provider means any person, corporation, partnership, or other entity that provides or offers to provide continuing care to any individual in an existing or proposed facility in this state. Two or more related individuals, corporations, partnerships, or other entities may be treated as a single provider if they cooperate in offering services to the residents of a facility.

(6) Resident means an individual entitled to receive continuing care in a facility.

(7) Solicit means all actions of a provider or the providers agent in seeking to have individuals enter into continuing care agreement by any means such as, but not limited to, personal, telephone, or mail communication or any other communication directed to and received by an individual, and any advertisements in any media distributed or communicated by any means to individuals.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-64-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-64 / Section 23-64-1
§ 23-64-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as The Minority Populations Health Promotion Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-26-4 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-26 / Section 23-26-4
§ 23-26-4. Sterilization and tagging of second-hand articles or material.
Status: in_force

No person shall sell any article of bedding, made from old or second-hand material, or piece of second-hand upholstered furniture unless it shall have been sterilized and tagged as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-77-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-77 / Section 23-77-3
§ 23-77-3. Funds received from insurers or others.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of health is authorized to accept any grant, devise, bequest, donation, gift, services in kind, assignment of money, bonds of other valuable securities, moneys appropriated by the general assembly or received from insurers, for deposit in and credit of the fund.

(b) The director of health is authorized to expend from the healthcare information technology and infrastructure development fund any moneys deposited into the fund for the purposes set forth in § 23-77-2.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of their articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other enabling documents or laws to the contrary, a health insurer or health plan is authorized to allocate sums of money, derived from the collections of premiums, to the healthcare information technology and infrastructure development fund.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of their articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other enabling documents or law to the contrary, an insurer is further authorized to expend on an annual basis a sum of moneys equal to not more than five percent (5%) of its previous years premium income for a project approved by the director of health, with the concurrence of the director of business regulation. The director of health is authorized to approve projects which are in conformance with the purposes of § 23-77-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-1.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-1.1
§ 23-19-1.1. Mission statement.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation shall provide the utmost in protection of public health and the environment while working towards having no impacts on the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods. The corporation shall set an example of being a good neighbor by minimizing the impacts of its operations on the surrounding community while setting high industry standards for recycling and waste disposal. The corporation shall seek the best mix of public and private processing, recycling and disposal systems, programs, and facilities for both commercial and municipal waste to meet Rhode Islands needs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-11-8 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-11 / Section 23-11-8
§ 23-11-8. Blood test of pregnant women.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of every physician, midwife, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner engaged in prenatal attendance upon a pregnant woman to obtain a blood specimen of that pregnant woman within thirty (30) days after the first professional visit and again obtain a blood specimen during the third trimester. These blood specimens shall be submitted to the laboratory of the state department of health, or to a laboratory approved by the department, for the performance of a Wassermann or other standard laboratory blood test for syphilis. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and that physician, midwife, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner shall be fined not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-23-31 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-23 / Section 23-23-31
§ 23-23-31. Dust control at extractive industries.
Status: in_force

This section applies to all extractive industries, as that term is defined in § 45-24-31(25), that are located within one thousand five hundred feet (1,500²) of any occupied dwelling structure from the location of the piles of material defined in § 23-23-3(8).

(1) Manufactured, unwashed sand shall not be stockpiled except in a manner that prevents fugitive dust from traveling beyond the property line of the extractive industry by use of water sprays.

(2) In determining compliance with this provision, the director may consider one or more of the following factors:

(i) Moisture content of the stone dust piles;

(ii) Atmospheric humidity;

(iii) Wind direction and velocity;

(iv) Rainfall;

(v) Observations of fugitive dust;

(vi) Location of the stone dust piles; and

(vii) Any other factors that may cause fugitive dust to travel beyond the property line of the extractive industry.

(3) The director may approve the use of alternatives to water spray, if water is not available or its use is not practical, including, but not limited to, crusting agents or enclosures; provided that such alternatives prevent fugitive dust from traveling beyond the property line of the extractive industry.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-13-24 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-13 / Section 23-13-24
§ 23-13-24. Recommendations of the council.
Status: in_force

The interagency coordinating council shall offer recommendations for the betterment of the delivery of early intervention services to the appropriate state agencies and the general assembly whenever necessary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-22-15 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-22 / Section 23-22-15
§ 23-22-15. Condominium pools  Life guards.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any general or public law to the contrary, condominium projects with forty-five (45) units or less are not required to have a life guard on duty at any swimming pool located on the premises. Provided, that where there is no life guard required to be on the premises, no minor shall be permitted access to any swimming pool on the premises unless accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-11-17 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-11 / Section 23-11-17
§ 23-11-17. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing.
Status: in_force

The physician or healthcare provider attending any person for a suspected sexually transmitted disease shall offer testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All testing pursuant to this section shall be as provided for in chapter 6.3 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-10-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-10 / Section 23-10-2
§ 23-10-2. Reports by physicians.
Status: in_force

Whenever any physician knows that any person under his or her professional care is affected with tuberculosis, he or she shall transmit to the director of the state department of health within seven (7) days, upon blanks provided by the state department of health for that purpose, the name, sex, age, color, race, occupation, social condition, and residence of that person. Any physician failing or refusing to comply with the requirements of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be subject to a fine of ten dollars ($10.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-13 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-13
§ 23-3-13. Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth.
Status: in_force

(a) If any certificate of birth is rejected by the state registrar of vital records, including a delayed certificate of birth under the provisions of § 23-3-12, the applicant may, in the absence of an order from the family court, acknowledging or establishing paternity, or change in parentage through adoption, petition the superior court for an order establishing a record of the date and place of the birth and the parentage of the person whose birth is to be registered. The superior court shall have sole jurisdiction over proceedings relating to certificates of birth rejected by the state registrar of vital records.

(b) The petition shall allege:

(1) That the person for whom a certificate of birth is sought was born in this state;

(2) That no record of birth of the person can be found in the office of the state or local custodian of birth records;

(3) That the state registrar of vital records has refused to register a delayed certificate of birth; and

(4) Other allegations as may be required.

(c) The petition shall be accompanied by all documentary evidence which was submitted to the registration official in support of the registration. The petition shall be sworn to by the petitioner.

(d) The superior court shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition and shall give the registrar of vital records ten (10) days notice of the hearing. The registrar of vital records, or his or her authorized representative, may appear and testify in the proceeding.

(e) If the superior court from the evidence presented finds that the person for whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought was born in this state, it shall make findings as to the place and date of birth, parentage, and any other findings that the case may require and shall issue an order to establish a record of birth. The superior court may use a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar of vital records. This order shall include the birth data to be registered; a description of the evidence presented in the manner prescribed by § 23-3-12; and the date of the superior courts action.

(f) The clerk of the superior court shall forward each order to establish a record of birth to the state registrar of vital records not later than the tenth (10th) day of the calendar month following the month in which it was entered. The order shall be registered by the state registrar of vital records and shall constitute the record of birth, from which copies may be issued in accordance with §§ 23-3-24 and 23-3-25.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-66-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-66 / Section 23-66-5
§ 23-66-5. Review and approval of assessment.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The proponent shall submit the assessment to the directors, or their designees of the state department of health and department of environmental management for joint review. The department of health, in its review, shall consider existing studies and data deemed relevant by the department of health regarding public health within a radius of the proposed facility as designated by the department of environmental management in accordance with § 23-66-3(2). These data and studies shall be considered in the joint review, and the determination made part of the public record. No air permit shall be issued by the department of environmental management until DEM and the department of health concur that health and environmental risks have been reasonably minimized to the extent practicable under all relevant circumstances.

(2) The assessment shall be published by the department of environmental management and accessible to the public.

(b) There shall be a public comment period of not less than sixty (60) days, commencing with notice, both in the form of a legal notice and a press release, in at least one newspaper with a statewide circulation of at least one hundred thousand (100,000), and in local newspapers within the assessment area printed in English and other appropriate languages specific to the assessment area.

(c) There shall be, within seven (7) days of the end of the public comment period, a public hearing conducted by the department of environmental management at a location within a two (2) mile radius of the proposed facility. A representative of the department of health shall be present at the hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall be conducted according to the same terms required of the public comment period, as described in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-53 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-53
§ 23-17-53. Physician contracts.
Status: in_force

(a) A hospital, by contract or otherwise, may not refuse or fail to grant or renew medical staff membership or staff privileges, or condition or otherwise limit or restrict medical staff membership or staff privileges, based in whole or in part on the fact that the physician or a partner, associate, or employee of the physician is providing medical or healthcare services at a different hospital, hospital system, or on behalf of a health plan. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a hospital may condition or otherwise limit or restrict staff privileges for reasons related to the availability of limited resources as determined in advance by the hospitals governing body. Nor shall a hospital by contract, or otherwise, limit a physicians participation or staff privileges or the participation or staff privileges of a partner, associate, or employee of the physician at a different hospital, hospital system, or health plan.

(b) This section does not prevent a hospital from entering into contracts with physicians to ensure physician availability and coverage at the hospital or to comply with regulatory requirements or quality of care standards established by the governing body of the hospital, if contracts, requirements or standards do not require that a physician join, participate in, or contract with a physician-hospital organization or similar organization as a condition of the grant or continuation of medical staff membership or staff privileges at the hospital.

(c) This section does not prevent the governing body of a hospital from limiting the number of physicians granted medical staff membership or privileges at the hospital based on a medical staff development plan that is unrelated to a physician or a partner, associate, or employee of a physician having medical staff membership or privileges at another hospital or hospital system.

(d) A contract provision that violates this section shall be void and of no force and effect.

(e) Hospitals shall allow patients of their medical staff to be evaluated and educated by the various appropriate departments of the hospital upon referral by their treating physician, regardless of the physician affiliation, as long as the physician has unrestricted privileges in their field of practice.

(f) A hospital may not take any adverse action, including, but not limited to, refusing or failing to grant or renew medical staff membership or staff privileges, or condition or otherwise limit or restrict medical staff membership or staff privileges, based on a result of an adverse action against a healthcare providers license or clinical privileges or other disciplinary action by another state or healthcare institution that resulted from the healthcare providers engagement in legally protected healthcare activity, as defined in §23-101-2, or aiding and assisting with legally protected healthcare activity, as defined in §23-101-2, if the adverse action was based solely on a violation of the other states law prohibiting such legally protected healthcare activity and related services, if that legally protected healthcare activity is consistent with the applicable professional standard of care and/or did not violate Rhode Island law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4-15 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-4 / Section 23-4-15
§ 23-4-15. Morgue.
Status: in_force

A centrally located morgue shall be provided with laboratories, furniture, equipment, records, and supplies that may be required in the conduct of the office of state medical examiners.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-3
§ 23-19-3. Declaration of policy.
Status: reserved

The following are declared to be policies of the state:

(1) That the ultimate solid waste management objective of the state is to maximize recycling and reuse of solid waste;

(2) That solid waste management facilities and projects are to be implemented either by the state or under state auspices, in furtherance of these goals;

(3) That appropriate governmental structure, processes, and support must be provided so that an effective and integrated statewide network of solid waste management facilities may be planned, financed, developed and operated for the benefit of the people and municipalities of the state;

(4) That solid waste management activities be conducted in an environmentally sound manner;

(5) That private industry be encouraged to continue playing a key role in the states solid waste management programs;

(6) That solid waste management facilities and services be provided for municipalities, institutions, and persons in the state at reasonable costs, by state solid waste management systems and facilities, where the services and facilities are considered necessary and desirable; the facilities and services shall be used by all persons and municipalities within the state under terms and conditions that the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation shall reasonably fix and establish; provided, however, that municipalities operating their own landfills on December 1, 1986, shall be free to continue to use the landfills until the closure of the landfills; and provided, further, that this subdivision shall not be construed to affect or impair any valid contract for disposal of municipal waste which was in effect on March 1, 1985, until the expiration of the original term of the contract, or the expiration of any extension approved by the corporation, or sooner termination of the contract; after the closure of the landfill or expiration or earlier termination of the contracts, the municipalities shall be required to use the facilities and services as the corporation shall direct;

(7) That provision shall be made for planning, research, and development, and appropriate innovation in the design, management, and operation of the states system for solid waste management, in order to permit continuing improvement and provide adequate incentives and processes for lowering operating and other costs;

(8) That the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation established pursuant to this chapter shall plan and implement solid waste management facilities where necessary and desirable throughout the state, in accordance with the general laws and with applicable state regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the department of health and the department of environmental management;

(9) The creation, licensing, and operation of landfill solid waste disposal facilities should be limited to what is reasonably required to service the needs of the inhabitants and businesses of this state, having regard for alternative technologies for waste disposal;

(10) That the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation will provide, either by contract with a private concern or directly by the corporation, a recycling facility as defined by the department of environmental management at, or within a convenient distance of, all solid waste disposal facilities under its jurisdiction. These recycling facilities will provide cities and towns with a place to deposit their recyclable materials at no tipping cost to the municipalities; provided, however, that tipping fees may be charged in accordance with this chapter when the solid waste processing facility is designed to process nonsource separated or partially source separated solid waste for recycling at least seventy percent (70%) of the municipal solid waste stream.

(11) An integrated approach shall be adopted with respect to solid waste management planning and implementation activities that shall be based on the following priorities to the extent economically feasible:

(i) Reduction of the amount of source waste generated;

(ii) Source separation and recycling;

(iii) Waste processing such as recycling based technology to reduce the volume of waste necessary for land disposal;

(iv) Land disposal;

(12) That the central landfill should be reserved for the disposal of solid waste generated within the state; and

(13) That the resource recovery corporation will operate the central landfill in a manner designed to afford to the environment and to the citizens of the state who reside near the landfill the maximum protection which is available for the land disposal of rubbish and minimize or eliminate land disposal of solid waste.

(14) That due to the myriad of over four hundred (400) toxic pollutants including lead, mercury, dioxins, and acid gasses known to be emitted by solid waste incinerators, the known and unknown threats posed by solid waste incinerators to the health and safety of Rhode Islanders, particularly children, along with the known and unknown threats to the environment are unacceptable.

(15) That despite the use of state of the art landfill liner systems and leachate collection systems, landfills, and particularly incinerator ash landfills, release toxic leachate into ground and surface waters which poses an unacceptable threat to public health, the environment, and the states limited ground and surface water resources.

(16) That incineration of solid waste is the most costly method of waste disposal with known and unknown escalating costs that would place substantial and unreasonable burdens on both state and municipal budgets to the point of seriously jeopardizing the publics interest.

(17) That the highest and best use of leaf and yard debris is for use in the composting process and the resulting compost material is a valuable soil amendment for agricultural and landscaping operations. The corporation shall accept segregated leaf and yard debris collected from municipalities as part of a municipal leaf and yard waste diversion program. Municipalities shall have a .025 ton per person cap on the amount of leaf and yard debris they deliver to the corporations facility annually beginning on July 1, 2009. The corporation shall establish a municipal leaf and yard debris borrowing program that allows municipalities to share portions of their choosing of their unutilized cap tonnage with municipalities that are in excess of their cap tonnage. This program shall not allow an individual municipality to borrow more than one-half (Â½) of its established tonnage cap. This material shall be accepted at no charge to municipalities, provided that the corporation may charge twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per ton for every ton that exceeds the per person cap not including any tonnage that a municipality utilized from the leaf and yard debris borrowing program established for the municipality. This material shall be composted at the corporations facility. The resulting compost shall be used by the corporation for operational and construction needs, may be marketed by the corporation to help offset processing costs and may be periodically available to municipalities and state agencies at no charge. The corporation shall quantify the amount of leaf and yard debris it requires on an annual basis to create compost for landfill and construction operation purposes. The corporation shall report this amount to the general assembly no later than September 1, 2008.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-49.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-49.1
§ 23-17-49.1. Workplace and patient safety  Evacuation of surgical smoke plume required in operating rooms.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Smoke-evacuation system means smoke evacuators, laser plume evacuators, or local exhaust ventilators that capture and neutralize plume at the site of origin and before plume can make ocular contact or contact with the respiratory tract of employees.

(2) Surgical smoke means the by-product of use of energy-generating devices, including surgical plume, smoke plume, bio-aerosols, laser-generated airborne contaminants, and lung-damaging dust.

(b) In order to protect patient and health workers from the hazards of surgical smoke, each hospital and freestanding ambulatory surgical facility licensed in the state of Rhode Island pursuant to this chapter shall adopt policies to ensure the elimination of surgical smoke by use of a smoke-evacuation system for each procedure that generates surgical smoke from the use of energy-based devices such as, but not limited to, electrosurgery and lasers.

(c) Each hospital and freestanding ambulatory surgical center shall report to the department of health within ninety days (90) of the effective date of this act that policies pursuant to this section have been adopted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-5-9 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-5 / Section 23-5-9
§ 23-5-9. Upon death  Report of infectious disease.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, infectious or communicable disease includes the following:

(1) Infectious hepatitis;

(2) Tuberculosis;

(3) Rabies;

(4) Tularemia;

(5) Herpes simplex;

(6) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome;

(7) Viral hemorrhagic fever;

(8) Gonorrhea;

(9) Syphilis;

(10) Burketts lymphoma; and

(11) Kaposis sarcoma.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, when a person who has been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease dies in a hospital or other health care facility, the attending physician or other responsible officer shall prepare a written notification describing the disease to accompany the body when the body is picked up for disposition.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, when a person dies outside of a hospital or health care facility and without an attending physician, any family member or person making arrangements for the disposition of the dead body who knows that the dead person has been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease at the time of death shall make known that disposition.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, any person who picks up or transports a dead body for disposition and who has been notified pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) of this section shall present a notification accompanying the dead body to any embalmer, funeral director, or other person taking possession of the dead body.

(e) Information regarding a deceaseds infectious or communicable disease contained in a notification required under this section shall be privileged and confidential and may be disclosed only if the disclosure is required under state or federal laws.

(f) Any person having duties imposed upon him or her under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section who knowingly refuses or omits to perform those duties shall be subject to a fine of three hundred dollars ($300) for a first offense, five hundred dollars ($500) for a second offense, and one thousand dollars ($1000) for a third and subsequent offense within any calendar year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-13 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-13
§ 23-7-13. Disconnection of territory from district.
Status: in_force

Any town or city or subdivision of any city or town which lies within a mosquito abatement district may be disconnected, if willing, from a district upon the proper action by the council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-5
§ 23-3-5. Duties of state registrar of vital records.
Status: in_force

(a) The state registrar of vital records shall:

(1) Administer and enforce this chapter and the rules and regulations issued under this chapter, and issue instructions for the efficient administration of the statewide system of vital records.

(2) Direct and supervise the statewide system of vital records and the division of vital records and be custodian of its records.

(3) Direct, supervise, and control the activities of local registrars and the activities of town and city clerks related to the operation of the vital records system.

(4) Prescribe, with approval of the state director of health, and distribute any forms that are required by this chapter and the rules and regulations issued under this chapter.

(5) Prepare and publish annual reports of vital records of this state and any other reports that may be required by the state director of health.

(6) Electronically transmit to the office of the secretary of state, on a monthly basis, a list of any reported deaths of a person or persons eighteen (18) years of age or older, and maintain a list of those deceased persons.

(7) Provide a copy on alkaline paper or an electronic record of each certificate of birth, death, and marriage to the city or town clerk before the tenth (10th) day of the month after the certificate is received by the division of vital records as authorized by regulations.

(8)(i) Flag birth certificates of missing children and perform all other acts and duties required to be performed by him or her pursuant to chapter 28.8 of title 42.

(ii) Upon receipt of information pursuant to § 42-28.8-3, provide the local registrars of the several cities and towns with that information.

(9) Direct, supervise, and control the transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system.

(b) The state registrar of vital records, with the approval of the director of health, may appoint a deputy state registrar and may delegate any functions and duties vested in him or her to employees of the division of vital records and to local registrars that he or she deems necessary or expedient.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-7 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-7
§ 23-33-7. Compensation of authorized inspectors.
Status: in_force

An authorized inspector shall be compensated by the company employing him or her, and the fee provided for in § 23-33-12 shall not be collected by any authorized inspector.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-104-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-104 / Section 23-104-1
§ 23-104-1. Title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as The Rhode Island Clinician Wellness and Support Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-66-4 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-66 / Section 23-66-4
§ 23-66-4. Financing of assessment.
Status: in_force

The party or parties proposing to build and/or operate the proposed facility shall pay for the assessment in its entirety. If a government or quasi-government agency is the proposer, then the agency must conduct the procurement process pursuant to chapter 2 of title 37 entitled state purchases.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-4 / Section 23-4-3
§ 23-4-3. Functions.
Status: in_force

The office of state medical examiners shall be responsible for:

(1) The investigation of deaths within the state that, in its judgment, might reasonably be expected to involve causes of death enumerated in this chapter;

(2) For the conduct of inquests when requested by the attorney general;

(3) For the performance of autopsies, including the retention, examination, and appropriate disposal of tissue, when appropriate, for deaths that, in its judgment, might reasonably be expected to involve causes of deaths enumerated in this chapter;

(4) For the written determination of the causes of death investigated pursuant to this chapter;

(5) For the presentation to the courts of Rhode Island of expert testimony relating to the cause of death;

(6) For the keeping of complete records, including names, places, circumstances, and causes of deaths, of deaths investigated and reported, copies of which shall be delivered to the attorney general and of which written determinations of causes of death shall be made available for public inspection;

(7) For the burial of bodies for which there is no other existing legal responsibility to do so;

(8) For the development and enforcement of procedures for the pronouncement of death and for the transplantation of organs from bodies of persons who have died within the state;

(9)(i) For a multidisciplinary team review of child fatalities with the goal to decrease the prevalence of preventable child deaths and report recommendations for community- and systems-intervention strategies. A child death-review team shall include, but is not limited to, representation from state agencies, health care, child welfare, and law enforcement; and

(ii) The work product of the child death-review team shall be confidential and protected under all applicable laws, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Rhode Island confidentiality of health care information act (chapter 37.3 of title 5) and shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38 and shall be deemed privileged pursuant to § 23-17.21-8;

(10) The department of health shall work with the department of children, youth and families and the office of the child advocate to develop a process to ensure the timely availability of autopsy reports on child deaths;

(11)(i) For a multidisciplinary team review of drug-related overdose deaths with the goal of reducing the prevalence of these deaths by examining emerging trends in overdose, identifying potential demographic, geographic, and structural points for prevention, and other factors. The multidisciplinary team for review of drug-related overdose deaths may include, as determined by the director of the department of health, representatives from the department of health; the department of the attorney general; the Rhode Island state police; the department of corrections; the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals; the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; the Hospital Association of Rhode Island; an emergency department physician; a primary care physician; an addiction medicine/treatment provider; a mental health clinician; a toxicologist; a recovery coach or other representative of the recovery community; and others as may be determined by the director of the department of health;

(ii) The work product of the multidisciplinary team for review of drug-related overdose deaths shall be confidential and protected under all applicable laws, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Rhode Island confidentiality of health care information act (chapter 37.3 of title 5), and shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38, not subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding, and not subject to disclosure beyond the team members (except to authorized employees of the department of health as necessary to perform its official duties pursuant to this subsection (11));

(iii) The multidisciplinary team shall report on or before December 1 of each year to the governor, the speaker of the house, and president of the senate, which report shall summarize the activities of the team, as well as the teams findings, progress towards reaching its goals, and recommendations for any needed changes in legislation or otherwise;

(iv) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 21, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 22, § 1.]

(v) The multidisciplinary team, or Rhode Island department of health state employees appointed by the director of the department of health, shall, as relatives of the deceased are willing, be empowered to gather information from such consenting relatives regarding the circumstances of the decedents death. The information gathered shall remain confidential and publicly released as aggregate de-identified information. The information gathered will be utilized to help identify specific prevention and intervention strategies to prevent further deaths. The information gathered shall not be subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding, and shall not be subject to disclosure beyond the team members except to authorized employees of the department of health as necessary to perform its official duties pursuant to this subsection (11), and except as aggregate de-identified information;

(12)(i) For a multidisciplinary maternal mortality review committee for review of maternal deaths of women that occur during pregnancy, delivery, or within one year of the end of pregnancy with the goal of reducing the prevalence of such deaths by examining emerging trends in such deaths, identifying potential demographic, geographic, and structural points for prevention, and other factors. This committee has the authority to request and receive data from vital records, healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, pharmacy records, and any other agencies or officials having information that is necessary for the committee to carry out its duties under this section. The multidisciplinary maternal mortality review committee shall include, but not be limited to, as determined by the director of the department of health, representation from state agencies; an obstetric provider from each hospital that delivers obstetrical care; a neonatal specialist; individuals or organizations that represent the populations that are most affected by pregnancy-related deaths or pregnancy-associated deaths and lack of access to maternal healthcare services; a perinatal pathologist; and a maternal fetal medicine specialist. This committee shall develop recommendations for the prevention of maternal deaths and disseminate findings and recommendations to policy makers, healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, and the general public;

(ii) The work product of the maternal mortality review committee shall be confidential and protected under all applicable laws, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Rhode Island confidentiality of health care information act (chapter 37.3 of title 5) and shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38 and shall be deemed privileged pursuant to § 23-17.21-8; and

(13)(i) For a multidisciplinary team review of suicide deaths with the goal of reducing the prevalence of these deaths by examining trends in demographic, geographic, community, and structural protective and risk factors. The multidisciplinary team may include, as determined by the director of the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH), representatives from the office of the state medical examiners, RIDOHs violence and injury prevention program, the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, emergency medical services, law enforcement, health care, and others as may be determined by the director of the department of health;

(ii) The work product of the adult suicide fatality review team shall be confidential and protected under all applicable laws, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and chapter 37.3 of title 5 (the Rhode Island confidentiality of health care communications and information act) and shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38 (access to public records) and shall be deemed privileged pursuant to § 23-17.21-8, not subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding, and not subject to disclosure beyond the team members (except to authorized employees of the department of health as necessary to perform its official duties pursuant to this subsection (13));

(iii) The multidisciplinary team shall be responsible for developing annual recommendations for the state suicide prevention coalition and/or the state agency(ies) responsible for suicide prevention in Rhode Island. The recommendations should align with the Rhode Island suicide prevention state plan and shall outline, based on suicide fatality case review data, potential strategies to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors to reduce suicide deaths in Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-11-13 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-11 / Section 23-11-13
§ 23-11-13. Appropriations and disbursements.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate that sum that it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions and purposes of this chapter, and the state controller shall draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum appropriated, or so much of it as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers authenticated by the director of health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-43 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-43
§ 23-17-43. Charity care requirements.
Status: in_force

Any new hospital or freestanding emergency-care facility licensee shall meet the statewide community standard for the provision of charity-care services as a condition of initial and continued licensure. That standard shall be consistent with guidelines established by the legislature in the charters of the existing hospitals in the state that hold charters from the legislature.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-24 / Section 23-24-3
§ 23-24-3. Regulations declaring hazardous substances and establishing variations and exemptions.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Whenever in the judgment of the consumer protection unit an action will promote the objectives of this chapter by avoiding or resolving uncertainty as to its application, the consumer protection unit may by regulation declare to be a hazardous substance, for the purposes of this chapter, any substance or mixture of substances which it finds meets the requirements of § 23-24-2(6)(i)(A).

(2) Proceedings for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of regulations under this subsection and the admissibility of the record of those proceedings in other proceedings shall be governed by the provisions of § 42-35-3; except that:

(i) The consumer protection units order after public hearing (acting upon objections filed to an order prior to hearing) shall be subject to the requirements of § 42-35-3;

(ii) The scope of judicial review of the order shall be in accordance with §§ 42-35-15 and 42-35-16.

(b) If the consumer protection unit finds that the requirements of § 23-24-2(1)(i) are not adequate for the protection of the public health and safety in view of the special hazard presented by any particular hazardous substance, it may by regulation establish any reasonable variations or additional label requirements as it finds necessary for the protection of the public health and safety; provided, that the consumer protection unit shall consult with the department of health before adopting those regulations. Any hazardous substance intended, or packaged in a form suitable, for use in the household or by children, which fails to bear a label in accordance with those regulations shall be deemed to be a misbranded hazardous substance.

(c) If the consumer protection unit finds that, because of the size of the package involved or because of the minor hazard presented by the substance contained in the package, or for other good and sufficient reasons, full compliance with the labeling requirements otherwise applicable under this chapter is impracticable or is not necessary for the adequate protection of the public health and safety, the consumer protection unit shall promulgate regulations exempting that substance from these requirements to the extent it determines to be consistent with adequate protection of the public health and safety.

(d) The consumer protection unit may exempt from the requirements established by or pursuant to this chapter any hazardous substance or container of a hazardous substance with respect to which it finds that adequate requirements satisfying the purposes of this chapter have been established by or pursuant to any other act of the general assembly.

(e)(1) A determination by the consumer protection unit that a toy or other article intended for use by children presents an electrical, mechanical, or thermal hazard shall be made by regulation in accordance with the procedures prescribed by § 42-35-3 (other than subsection 42-35-3(b)).

(2) If, before or during a proceeding pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the consumer protection unit finds that, because of an electrical, mechanical, or thermal hazard, distribution of the toy or other article involved presents an imminent hazard to the public health, and it by order published in a daily newspaper with statewide circulation give notice of the finding, and that toy or other article shall be deemed to be a banned hazardous substance for purposes of this chapter until the proceeding has been completed. If not yet initiated when the order is published, a proceeding shall be initiated as promptly as possible.

(3)(i) In the case of any toy or other article intended for use by children which is determined by the consumer protection unit, in accordance with § 42-35-3, to present an electrical, mechanical, or thermal hazard, any person who will be adversely affected by that determination may, at any time prior to the sixtieth (60th) day after the regulation making the determination is issued by the consumer protection unit, file a petition with the superior court for the district in which the person resides or has his or her principal place of business, or if the person is a nonresident or has no principal place of business within this state or if the superior court shall not be in session in the counties applicable as provided, then in the superior court of Providence County, for a judicial review of that determination. A copy of the petition shall be immediately transmitted by the clerk of the court to the consumer protection unit. The consumer protection unit shall file in the court the record of the proceedings on which the consumer protection unit based its determination, as provided in § 42-35-15(a);

(ii) If the petitioner applies to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there was no opportunity to adduce that evidence in the proceeding before the consumer protection unit, the court may order the additional evidence (and evidence in rebuttal thereof) to be taken before the consumer protection unit in a hearing or in any other manner, and upon the terms and conditions, as to the court may seem proper. The consumer protection unit may modify its findings as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of the additional evidence so taken and it shall file the modified or new findings, and its recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of its original determination, with the return of the additional evidence;

(iii) Upon the filing of the petition under this paragraph, the court shall have jurisdiction to review the determination of the consumer protection unit in accordance with § 42-35-15(g)(2).

(iv) If the court ordered additional evidence to be taken under subdivision (3)(ii), the court shall also review the consumer protection unit determination to determine if, on the basis of the entire record before the court pursuant to subdivisions (3)(i) and (3)(ii), it is supported by substantial evidence. If the court finds the determination is not supported, the court may set it aside. With respect to any determination reviewed under this subdivision, the court may grant appropriate relief pending conclusion of the review proceedings, as provided in § 42-35-15(c);

(v) The judgment of the court affirming or setting aside, in whole or in part, any determination of the consumer protection unit shall be final, subject to review by the supreme court upon certiorari or certification, as provided in § 42-35-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-4 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-4
§ 23-7-4. Membership of board.
Status: in_force

(a) The directors of the departments of health and environmental management, or their designees, shall be ex officio members. The governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint one professional agricultural chemist, one professional wildlife biologist, one professional entomologist, one medical doctor, one person representing an established conservation or environmental group within the state, and three (3) citizens representing any four (4) cities, towns, subdivisions of cities or towns, or districts, having regard, among other factors, to their qualifications, experience, and interest in effective mosquito control. Members of the board shall annually elect their own officers.

(b) Those members of the commission as of January 1, 2005 who are members of the general assembly shall cease to be members of the commission on January 1, 2005 and the director shall appoint two (2) new members, representing two (2) cities, towns, subdivisions of cities or towns, or districts, having regard, among other factors, to their qualifications, experience and interest in effective mosquito control, each of whom shall serve for a three (3) year term.

(c) All appointed public members as of January 1, 2005 shall continue to serve the balance of their current terms.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(e) No person shall be eligible for appointment pursuant to this section unless he or she is a resident of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4-16 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-4 / Section 23-4-16
§ 23-4-16. Uniform determination of death.
Status: in_force

A person who has sustained either: (1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or (2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, is dead. A determination of death must be made in accordance with accepted medical standards.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-21-4.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-21 / Section 23-21-4.1
§ 23-21-4.1. Provisions for water.
Status: in_force

The director shall require quality water and adequate water pressure to each mobile home located on a mobile home site and to each trailer located at a trailer park in the state; however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to campgrounds or wilderness that are used on a seasonal basis only.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-15-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-15 / Section 23-15-3
§ 23-15-3. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the development, establishment, and enforcement of standards for the authorization and allocation of new institutional health services and new health care equipment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-10.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-10.1
§ 23-19-10.1. Construction of gas pipelines.
Status: in_force

The corporation shall have the same rights and liabilities as public utilities when installing gas pipelines along or under interstate highways in the state including those rights and liabilities outlined in chapters 8 and 12 of title 24 and § 39-1-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-26-8 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-26 / Section 23-26-8
§ 23-26-8. Inspection stamp required on tags.
Status: in_force

No person shall sell, offer for sale, exchange or lease or deliver or consign for like purpose any article or material required by this chapter to be tagged, unless there is affixed on the tag an inspection stamp as required by this chapter; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be deemed to require an inspection stamp to be affixed on the tag attached to an article of bedding made in this state for shipment and sale outside of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-13-21 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-13 / Section 23-13-21
§ 23-13-21. Comprehensive reproductive health services.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of health is authorized and directed to establish a payor of last resort program to cover the cost of outpatient family planning counseling and comprehensive reproductive health services for men and women who are ineligible for Medicaid, lack health insurance coverage for these services, and whose familys income is between one hundred percent (100%) and one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level. The director shall promulgate regulations to implement this program. These regulations shall include: specific eligibility criteria, scope and standards for services to be covered, mechanisms for administration, and service delivery.

(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the following services be provided through this program:

(1) Patient education and counseling on options for timing and spacing pregnancy;

(2) Comprehensive medical services to prevent and control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases;

(3) Access to safe and effective methods of contraception.

(c) Excluded services will include but not be limited to elective abortion, elective hysterectomy, infertility related services, and other non-family planning procedures. No funds shall be expended to support school-based clinics dispensing contraceptive methods.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-5-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-5 / Section 23-5-5
§ 23-5-5. Reporting of occupational diseases.
Status: in_force

Every physician licensed by the department of health attending on or called in to evaluate a patient whom he or she believes to be suffering from an occupational disease or condition identified by the department of health in regulation as a reportable occupational disease shall within thirty (30) days of that attendance or evaluation send to the department of health a report, on a form acceptable to the director of health, stating:

(1) Name, address, and occupation of patient.

(2) Name, address, and business of employer.

(3) Nature of disease.

(4) Any other information that may be reasonably required by the department of health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-11-19 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-11 / Section 23-11-19
§ 23-11-19. Exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the department of health shall maintain a program offering the free exchange of new hypodermic needles and syringes for used hypodermic needles and syringes as a means to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or viral hepatitis among injecting drug users eighteen (18) years of age or older. Any site used in the program shall be approved by the director of health and shall make available educational materials, HIV counseling and testing, and referral services targeted to the education of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis transmission as well as information and referrals pertaining to substance abuse prevention and treatment.

(b) Any program of needle and syringe exchange must be implemented pursuant to the provisions of this section and shall incorporate an on-going evaluation plan to determine the impact of the needle exchange program on the participants and the community in the efforts to lower the HIV rate among injecting users including successful referrals to substance abuse treatment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-96-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-96 / Section 23-96-2
§ 23-96-2. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person or entity who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense and up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second or subsequent offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-13-20 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-13 / Section 23-13-20
§ 23-13-20. Coordination of community-based family life and sex education.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of health, with the consultation from the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the director of human services, the Family Life Center at the Community College of Rhode Island, and the director of the department of children, youth, and families, is authorized to establish a family life and sex education coordination program to assist in the establishment of community networks of educators, counselors, and health and human service providers in the maternal and child health planning areas of the state with high rates of teenage pregnancy. The epidemic of teenage pregnancy is, in part, a result of a deteriorating quality of family life reflected in high divorce rates, confusion between love and sex, and increasing reports of isolation and hopelessness. This community-based approach can address the problem of teenage pregnancy created by the demographic, economic, and cultural phenomena that have dramatically changed both the definition and the role of the family. This program shall include counseling in substance abuse prevention.

(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the complex social problem of teenage pregnancy be addressed by the thoughtful orchestration of community institutions and interest groups to support a sound school program designed both to enhance the personal competence and self-esteem of youth, and improve parent skills in providing explicit sexuality education in the home.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-23-17 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-23 / Section 23-23-17
§ 23-23-17. Promulgation of rules.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in this chapter, in establishing any rule or regulation in the conduct of proceedings and in the taking of appeals from any order of the director, the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 shall apply.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-65 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-65
§ 23-17-65. Transparency of ownership in healthcare facilities.
Status: in_force

(a) Any operator or operators of a nursing facility shall file with the department of health information of ownership including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The name, address, and a description of the interest held by each of the following persons:

(i) Any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in the land on which the facility is located;

(ii) Any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in the building in which the facility is located;

(iii) Any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in any mortgage, note, deed of trust, or other obligation secured, in whole or in part, by the land on which or building in which the facility is located;

(iv) Any person who, directly or indirectly, has any interest as lessor or lessee in any lease or sub-lease of the land on which or the building in which the facility is located;

(v) Any person who is the ultimate and actual owner of the land, building, mortgages, and leases of the nursing facility and any lessee of the land or building; and

(vi) The operator or operators of the nursing facility.

(2) If any person named in subsection (a)(1) of this section is a partnership or limited liability company, then the name and address of each partner or member.

(3) If any person named in subsection (a)(1) of this section is a corporation, other than a corporation whose shares are traded on a national securities exchange or are regularly quoted in an over-the-counter market or which is a commercial bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association, then the name and address of each officer, director, stockholder and, if known, each principal stockholder and controlling person of such corporation.

(4) If any corporation named in subsection (a)(1) of this section is a corporation whose shares are traded on a national securities exchange or are regularly quoted in an over-the-counter market or which is a commercial bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association, then the name and address of the principal executive officers and each director and, if known, each principal stockholder of such corporation.

(b) In order to promote greater transparency, the department of health shall, upon request, furnish to the public all documents and information received pursuant to this section.

(c) As used in this section, the term operator means the licensee and also includes the complete ownership entity above the actual entity holding the license.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-2.3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-2.3
§ 23-33-2.3. Qualified mechanic.
Status: in_force

No person shall, within the limits of this state, construct or install any elevator, escalator or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter or repair or maintain any parts of the drive machinery, controllers or safety circuits thereof without being licensed by the division of occupational safety. The fee and the requirements for this license shall be established by regulation through the code commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-11 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-11
§ 23-7-11. Annexation by district.
Status: in_force

Any city or town or subdivisions of any city or town may, if willing, be annexed by appropriate action to a mosquito abatement district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-5.2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-5.2
§ 23-17-5.2. Additional information required for license renewal of all nursing facilities.
Status: in_force

(a) At least once every two (2) years, the department shall gather information from state departments and agencies relating to the experience and qualifications of the nursing facility applicant for relicensure.

(b) Effective January 1, 2006, any nursing facility applying for renewal of its license that contracts with a management company to assist with the facilitys operation shall file a copy of the management contract with the department including the management fee and, if the management company is a corporation or limited liability company, shall identify every person having an ownership interest of five percent (5%) or more in such corporation or limited liability company and, if the management company is a general partnership or limited partnership, shall identify all general or limited partners of such general partnership or limited partnership.

(c) Any nursing facility with any significant changes in its management contract shall submit a copy of the revised management contract to the department within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the new contract provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-27 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-27
§ 23-19-27. Severability.
Status: repealed

The provisions of this chapter are severable and if any provision or part of any provision shall be held invalid or unconstitutional or inapplicable to any person or circumstances, the invalidity, unconstitutionality, or inapplicability shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions of this chapter. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this chapter are repealed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-95-4 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-95 / Section 23-95-4
§ 23-95-4. Discrimination prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all stages of the organ transplant process.

(b) A covered entity shall not, solely on the basis of an individuals disability:

(1) Consider the individual ineligible to receive an anatomical gift or organ transplant;

(2) Deny medical services or other services related to organ transplantation, including diagnostic services, evaluation, surgery, counseling, post-operative treatment, and services;

(3) Refuse to refer the individual to a transplant center or other related specialist for the purpose of being evaluated for or receiving an organ transplant;

(4) Refuse to place a qualified recipient on an organ transplant waiting list;

(5) Place a qualified recipient on an organ transplant waiting list at a lower priority position than the position at which the individual would have been placed if the individual did not have a disability; or

(6) Refuse insurance coverage for any procedure associated with being evaluated for or receiving an anatomical gift or organ transplant, including post-transplantation and post-transfusion care.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, a covered entity may take an individuals disability into account when making treatment or coverage recommendations or decisions, solely to the extent that the disability has been found by a physician or surgeon, following personalized evaluation of the individual, to be medically significant to the provision of the anatomical gift.

(d) If an individual has the necessary support system to assist the individual in complying with post-transplant medical requirements, a covered entity may not consider the individuals inability to independently comply with post-transplant medical requirements to be medically significant for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) A covered entity must make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures to allow individuals with disabilities access to transplantation-related services, including diagnostic services, surgery, coverage, post-operative treatment, and counseling, unless the entity can demonstrate that making such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of such services.

(f) A covered entity must take steps necessary to ensure that an individual with a disability is not denied medical services or other services related to organ transplantation, including diagnostic services, surgery, post-operative treatment, or counseling, due to the absence of auxiliary aids or services, unless the covered entity demonstrates that taking the steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the medical services or other services related to organ transplantation or would result in an undue burden for the covered entity.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a covered entity to make a referral or recommendation for or perform a medically inappropriate organ transplant.

(h) A covered entity shall otherwise comply with the requirements of Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-6 / Section 23-6-2
§ 23-6-2. Spitting in public places.
Status: in_force

No person shall spit upon the floor, or upon the sides, or upon any of the furnishings or equipment of any public conveyance, not devoted exclusively to smoking, or of any shop, store, hall, church, schoolhouse, railroad station, or other public building, or in the hallways of any private office building or upon the steps or platforms of the conveyance or buildings, or upon the sidewalk of any public highway in this state, except into suitable receptacles provided for that purpose. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) for each offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-10-6 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-10 / Section 23-10-6
§ 23-10-6. Quarantine for treatment of actively or chronically diseased persons.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this section, a person has active tuberculosis when: (1) a sputum smear or culture taken from a pulmonary, laryngeal, or other source has tested positive for tuberculosis and the person has not completed an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis, or (2) a smear or culture from an extra-pulmonary source has tested positive for tuberculosis and there is clinical evidence or clinical suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis disease and the person has not completed an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis. A person also has active tuberculosis when, in those cases where sputum smears or cultures are unobtainable, the radiographic evidence, in addition to current clinical evidence and/or laboratory tests, is sufficient to establish a medical diagnosis of tuberculosis for which treatment is indicated.

(b) Where the director determines that the public health or the health of any other person is endangered by a case of tuberculosis, or a suspected case of tuberculosis, the director may issue any appropriate orders necessary to protect the public health or the health of any other person in accordance with this chapter, and may make application to a court for enforcement of any appropriate orders. In any court proceeding for enforcement, the director shall demonstrate the particularized circumstances constituting the necessity for an order. Detention shall not be authorized until all less-restrictive alternatives have been tried and no less-restrictive alternative is available. Those orders may include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) An order authorizing the removal to and/or detention in a hospital or other treatment facility for appropriate examination for tuberculosis of a person who has active tuberculosis or who is suspected of having active tuberculosis and who is unable or unwilling to voluntarily submit to an appropriate examination by a physician or by the department;

(2) An order requiring a person who has active tuberculosis to complete an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis and, if necessary, to follow required contagion precautions for tuberculosis;

(3) An order requiring a person who has active tuberculosis and who is unable or unwilling otherwise to complete an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis to follow a course of directly observed therapy. For the purposes of this provision, directly observed therapy means a course of treatment for tuberculosis in which the prescribed anti-tuberculosis medication is administered to the person or taken by the person under direct observation as specified by the department;

(4) An order for the removal to and/or detention in a hospital or other treatment facility of a person: (i) who has active tuberculosis that is infectious or who presents a substantial likelihood of having active tuberculosis that is infectious, based upon epidemiologic evidence, clinical evidence, x-ray readings, or laboratory test results; and (ii) where the department finds, based on recognized infection control principles, that there is a substantial likelihood the person may transmit to others tuberculosis because of his or her inadequate separation from others; or

(5) An order for the removal to and/or detention in a hospital or other treatment facility of a person: (i) who has active tuberculosis, or who has been reported to the department as having active tuberculosis with no subsequent report to the department of the completion of an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis; and (ii) where there is a substantial likelihood that the person poses a significant risk of harm to others and who refuses to report for treatment or who refuses to continue or complete treatment for tuberculosis, until the director determines that the person is no longer a danger to the public.

(c) After two (2) licensed physicians, including at least one board certified pulmonary or infectious disease specialist, have certified the diagnosis of tuberculosis, the director may remove to or detain in a hospital or other place for examination or treatment a person who is the subject of an order of removal or detention issued pursuant to subsection (a) without prior court order; provided, however, that when a person detained pursuant to subsection (a) has requested release, the director shall make an application for a court order authorizing detention within seventy-two (72) hours after a release request, or, if the seventy-two (72) hour period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, by the end of the first business day following the Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, which application shall include a request for an expedited hearing. In the event that the detained person requests release thereby triggering this seventy-two (72) hour expedited hearing, the hearing shall be a preliminary hearing, shall be treated with priority on the court calendar, and may be continued only for good cause shown. If at this preliminary hearing the court determines that there is no probable cause to support detention, the directors petition shall be dismissed, the directors order vacated, and the person shall be discharged unless the person applies for voluntary admission to care and treatment. However, if the court is satisfied that there is probable cause to support the directors order, the directors order shall remain in full force and effect and the full hearing procedures as set forth at subsection (h) shall be effectuated. In any event, detention shall not continue for more than five (5) business days in the absence of a court-order authorizing detention. The court order shall be sought by the director pursuant to the hearing procedures as set forth at subsection (h). The director shall seek further court review of detention within forty-five (45) days following the initial court order authorizing detention and subsequently within forty-five (45) days of each subsequent court review. In any court proceeding to enforce a directors order for the removal or detention of a person issued pursuant to this chapter or for review of the continued detention of a person, the director shall prove the particularized circumstances constituting the necessity for detention by clear and convincing evidence. Any person who is subject to a detention order shall have the right to be represented by counsel and upon the request of the person, counsel shall be provided by the court. The person subject to detention shall be entitled to file a petition for release at any time, included but not limited to, a petition based upon compliance with therapy and a plan to complete therapy in another less restrictive setting.

(d)(1) An order of the director pursuant to subsection (b) shall set forth;

(i) The legal authority under which the order is issued, including the particular sections of this chapter;

(ii) An individualized assessment of the persons circumstances and/or behavior constituting the basis for the issuance of the order;

(iii) The less restrictive treatment alternatives that were attempted and were unsuccessful and/or the less restrictive treatment alternatives that were considered and rejected, and the reasons those alternatives were rejected.

(2) In addition, an order for the removal and detention of a person shall:

(i) Include the purpose of the detention;

(ii) Advise the person being detained that he or she has the right to request release from detention by contacting a person designated on the directors order at a telephone number stated on the directors order, and that the detention shall not continue for more than five (5) business days after a release request in the absence of a court order authorizing the detention;

(iii) Advise the person being detained that, whether or not he or she requests release from detention, the director must obtain a court order authorizing detention within five (5) days following the commencement of detention and thereafter must further seek court review of the detention within forty-five (45) days of the court order, and within forty-five (45) days of each subsequent court review;

(iv) Advise the person being detained that he or she has the right to arrange to be represented by counsel or to have counsel appointed, and that if he or she chooses to have counsel appointed, the counsel will be notified that the person has requested legal representation.

(e) A person who is detained solely pursuant to subsection (b)(1) shall not continue to be detained beyond the minimum period of time required, with the exercise of all due diligence, to make a medical determination of whether a person who is suspected of having tuberculosis has active tuberculosis or whether a person who has active tuberculosis is infectious. Further detention of the person shall be authorized only upon the issuance of a directors order pursuant to subsection (b)(4) or (b)(5);

(f) A person who is detained pursuant to this section solely for the reasons described in subsection (b)(4) shall not continue to be detained after the department ascertains that changed circumstances exist that permit him or her to be adequately separated from others so as to prevent transmission of tuberculosis after his or her release from detention or that a less-restrictive alternative to the detention is established.

(g) A person who is detained pursuant to this section for the reasons described in subsection (b)(5) shall not continue to be detained after he or she has completed an appropriate prescribed course of medication.

(h)(1) A verified petition may be filed in the district court, or family court in the case of a person who has not reached his or her eighteenth (18th) birthday, for the detention to a facility of any person who is subject to an order of the director pursuant to subsection (b). The petition may be filed by the director and shall be filed only after the petitioner has investigated what alternatives to detention are available and determined why the alternatives are not deemed suitable.

(2) A hearing scheduled under this section shall be conducted pursuant to the following requirements:

(i) All evidence shall be presented according to the usual rules of evidence that apply in civil, non-jury cases. The subject of the proceedings shall be given the right to present evidence in his or her own behalf, and to cross-examine all witnesses against him or her, including any physician who has certified the diagnosis of tuberculosis pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The subject of the proceedings shall have the further right to subpoena witnesses and documents, the cost of subpoenaing witnesses and documents to be borne by the court where the court finds upon an application of the subject that the person cannot afford to pay for the cost of subpoenaing witnesses and documents.

(ii) A verbatim transcript or electronic recording shall be made of the hearing which shall be impounded and obtained or examined only with the consent of the subject of the hearing (or in the case of a person who has not yet attained his or her eighteenth (18th) birthday, his or her parent, guardian, or next of kin) or by order of the court.

(iii) The hearing may be held at a location other than a court, including any facility where the subject may then be a patient, where it appears to the court that holding the hearing at another location would be in the best interests of the subject of the hearing or any participants in the hearing.

(iv) The burden of proceeding and the burden of proof in a hearing held pursuant to this section shall be upon the petitioner. The petitioner has the burden of demonstrating that the subject of the hearing is in need of care and treatment in a facility, is one whose continued unsupervised presence in the community would create a likelihood of serious harm, and what alternatives to detention are available, what alternatives to detention were investigated, and why these alternatives were not deemed suitable.

(v) The court shall render a decision within forty-eight (48) hours after the hearing is concluded.

(3) If the court after a hearing finds by clear and convincing evidence that the subject of the hearing is in need of care and treatment in a facility, and is one whose continued unsupervised presence in the community would create a likelihood of serious harm, and that all alternatives to detention have been investigated and deemed unsuitable, it shall issue an order committing the person to the custody of the director for care and treatment in an appropriate facility. The person shall be cared for in a facility that imposes the least restraint upon the liberty of the person consistent with affording him or her the care and treatment necessary and appropriate to his or her condition. All detention orders shall be reviewed by the court within forty-five (45) days of the court order, and within forty-five (45) days of each subsequent court review.

(i) A person detained under this section shall have a right to appeal from a court order of detention to the supreme court of the state within thirty (30) days of the entry of an order of detention. The person shall have the right to be represented on appeal by counsel of his or her choice or by court appointed counsel if the supreme court finds that he or she cannot afford to retain counsel. Upon a showing of indigency the supreme court shall permit an appeal to proceed without payment of costs, and a copy of the transcript of the proceedings below shall be furnished to the subject of the proceedings or to his or her attorney at the expense of the state. The court which issued the detention order shall advise the person of all his or her rights pursuant to this section immediately upon the entry of the detention order.

(ii) Appeals under this section shall be given precedence, insofar as practicable, on the supreme court dockets. The district and family courts shall promulgate rules with the approval of the supreme court to insure the expeditious transmission of the record and transcript in all appeals pursuant to this chapter.

(i) Where necessary, language interpreters and persons skilled in communicating with vision and hearing impaired individuals shall be provided.

(j) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit or require the forcible administration of any medication without a prior court order.

(k) No person, for religious or other reasons, may be compelled by the department of health to undergo treatment for tuberculosis as long as the individual is willing to place himself or herself in an environment that excludes others from risk of acquiring tuberculosis.

(l) The director of health shall ensure that appropriate treatment, monitoring, and care for tuberculosis are made available for every individual who is isolated and confined, and these services shall be provided with no restrictions as to the quarantined individuals ability to pay for those services.

(m) The department of health is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations in order to implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-31 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-1 / Section 23-1-31
§ 23-1-31. Approval of construction by director.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall construct any facility to be used for a food business, or add to, or otherwise alter an existing one, without having obtained the approval of the director of the plans and specifications for the proposed construction, addition, or alteration.

(b) A plan review fee for new establishments, and for establishments where the cost of renovation exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the value of the establishment, shall be charged. The plan review fee for these establishments shall equal the annual cost of the license/registration fee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-16 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-16
§ 23-7-16. Grants for mosquito abatement.
Status: in_force

(a) Consistent with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the mosquito abatement board shall establish a competitive grant program. Only a mosquito abatement district formed or authorized pursuant to § 23-7-7 is eligible to receive a grant pursuant to this section. A mosquito abatement district shall be eligible to apply for one grant per year. The purpose of the grant program shall be to provide financial support to mosquito abatement districts for programs of long term preventive mosquito control that lead to minimization of pesticide use and minimal disruption of natural environments. The mosquito abatement board shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the awarding of grants pursuant to this section. Appropriate uses of grant money may include, but are not limited to, the following: assisting cities and towns in mapping and data collection or in any start-up projects relating to the establishment of a mosquito abatement district, inventory of larval mosquito breeding sources, application of innovative and environmentally sound mosquito control methods, execution of approved water management projects which deal with mosquito control, and the purchase of educational materials and educational services, larvicide application equipment, and larval management operations. All grants shall be used in a manner consistent with established state policy for mosquito abatement. In the event that a district does not utilize all or any portion of its grant money, then the district shall return to the mosquito abatement board the nonutilized grant money.

(b) The mosquito abatement board pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42 shall promulgate in regulation form the criteria upon which the grants will be awarded. The regulations setting forth grant criteria, in their final form, shall be given to all grant applicants. The mosquito abatement board shall clearly state, in writing, the reasons for its approval or denial of a grant.

(c) The director of the department of environmental management will allocate funds to the Rhode Island mosquito abatement board to establish and carry out the mosquito abatement grant program. This program shall consist of up to eighty percent (80%) state matching grants for all eligible uses as outlined in subsection (a) of this section. Grants issued to Rhode Island cities and towns registered with the mosquito abatement board as mosquito abatement districts shall be conducted in accordance with this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-63-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-63 / Section 23-63-5
§ 23-63-5. Penalty.
Status: in_force

Any person who violates §§ 23-6-2, 23-63-3 or 23-63-4 and 23-63-4.9(b) of this chapter shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. Fines collected pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the corporation for deposit in the tire site remediation account. Each day that the violation continues or exists shall constitute a separate occurrence. The provisions of this chapter may also be enforced by an action for injunctive or other relief in the superior court for Providence county to be brought by either the department of environmental management or the attorney general.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-11 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-11
§ 23-33-11. Periodic inspections  Right of access  Consultation with person in charge.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief, or any compliance inspector, or any authorized inspector shall make the required inspection of each elevator or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter at least once a year, except that each elevator or other device subject to a full maintenance contract with a qualified service company shall be inspected at least once every two (2) years, and more often if the chief or inspector shall deem it necessary. The owner of any elevator or device subject to inspection under the provisions of this chapter shall allow the compliance inspector free access to the elevator or device at all reasonable times. The compliance inspector shall comply with the convenience and business requirements of the owner as far as he or she reasonably can. The chief, or the compliance inspector, shall consult with the engineer or other person in charge of each elevator or device as to condition and operation thereof, and if he or she shall thereby discover or in any manner learn of any defect or imperfection in that elevator or device, or any dereliction or carelessness on the part of the engineer or other person in charge of the elevator or device relative thereto, or to the operation thereof, the chief or inspector shall, as soon as may be expedient, give notice thereof to the owner of the elevator or device.

(b) Prior to the termination of any elevator or device contract becoming effective, the service company shall be required to provide written notice by certified mail to be sent no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of contract termination to the department of labor and training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-101-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-101 / Section 23-101-1
§ 23-101-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Healthcare Provider Shield.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-40 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-40
§ 23-19-40. Utilization of buffer zone  Restrictions.
Status: in_force

(a) Legislative Purpose. (1) A buffer zone is an area between two (2) different land uses. The purpose of this section is to specifically prohibit using certain areas of the central landfill buffer zone for the expansion of any waste operations. (2) The statutes which created the buffer zone contain no specific prohibitions on its use. This section is intended to add specific restrictions to the portion delineated in subsection (b)(1). It is not intended as authorization for waste operations in other areas of the buffer zone.

(b) Buffer Zone. (1) The Rhode Island resource recovery corporation and/or any successor, transferee, or assignee of the corporation and/or any other governmental entity or agency which conducts a solid waste management disposal business, is prohibited from using any real property situated in that triangular shaped area bounded by Central Avenue on the south and Reservoir Avenue on the east, whether already owned or hereafter acquired, for any extension of the entire operational portion of the central landfill, as defined in § 23-19-34, for any other type of waste operation, or for the opening or operation of any recycling or incineration operations. (2) Any undeveloped real property in the area delineated in subsection (b)(1), that is presently owned or later acquired by the solid waste management corporation or by any successor, transferee or assignee of the corporation, or by any other governmental entity or agency which conducts a solid waste management or disposal business, shall be converted to and after this maintained as a vegetated area in its natural or in an altered vegetative state; provided, however, that a vegetated area may include public recreational facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-90-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-90 / Section 23-90-5
§ 23-90-5. Mattress stewardship plan.
Status: in_force

(a) On or before July 1, 2015, the mattress stewardship council shall submit a mattress stewardship plan for the establishment of a mattress stewardship program to the corporation director for approval.

(b) The plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall, to the extent it is technologically feasible and economically practical:

(1) Identify each producers participation in the program;

(2) Describe the fee structure for the program and propose a uniform stewardship fee that is sufficient to cover the costs of operating and administering the program;

(3) Establish performance goals for the first two (2) years of the program;

(4) Identify proposed recycling facilities to be used by the program, such facilities shall not require a solid waste management facilities license;

(5) Detail how the program will promote the recycling of discarded mattresses;

(6) Include a description of the public education program;

(7) Describe fee-disclosure language that retailers will be required to prominently display that will inform consumers of the amount and purpose of the fee; and

(8) Identify the methods and procedures to facilitate implementation of the mattress stewardship program in coordination with the corporation director and municipalities.

(c) Not later than ninety (90) days after submission of the plan pursuant to this section, the corporation shall make a determination whether to:

(1) Approve the plan as submitted; or

(2) Deny the plan.

(d) The corporation director shall approve the plan for the establishment of the mattress stewardship program, provided such plan reasonably meets the requirements of this section. Prior to making such determination, the corporation director shall post the plan for at least thirty (30) days, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act as set forth in chapter 35 of title 42, on the corporations website and solicit public comments on the plan to be posted on the website.

(e) In the event that the corporation director denies the plan, the corporation director shall provide a notice of determination to the council, within sixty (60) days, detailing the reasons for the disapproval. The council shall revise and resubmit the plan to the corporation director not later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice of the corporation directors denial notice. Not later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of the revised plan, the corporation director shall review and approve or deny the revised plan. The council may resubmit a revised plan to the corporation director for approval on not more than two (2) occasions. If the council fails to submit a plan that is acceptable to the corporation director, because it does not meet the criteria pursuant to subdivisions (b)(1-8), the corporation director shall have the ability to modify the submitted plan and approve it. Not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of a plan pursuant to this section, the council shall implement the mattress stewardship program.

(f) It is the responsibility of the council to:

(1) Notify the corporation director whenever there is a proposed substantial change to the program. If the corporation director takes no action on a proposed substantial change within ninety (90) days after notification of the proposed change, the proposed change shall be deemed approved. For the purposes of this subdivision, substantial change shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) A change in the processing facilities to be used for discarded mattresses collected pursuant to the program; or

(ii) A material change to the system for collecting mattresses.

(2) Not later than October 1, 2017, the council shall submit to the corporation director for review, updated performance goals that are based on the experience of the program during the first two (2) years of the program.

(g) The council shall notify the corporation director of any other changes to the program on an ongoing basis, whenever they occur, without resubmission of the plan to the corporation director for approval. Such changes shall include, but not be limited to, a change in the composition, officers, or contact information of the council.

(h) On or before July 1, 2015, and every two (2) years thereafter, the council shall propose a uniform fee for all mattresses sold in this state. The council may propose a change to the uniform fee more frequently than once every two (2) years if the council determines such change is needed to avoid funding shortfalls or excesses. Any proposed fee shall be reviewed by an independent auditor to ensure that such assessment does not exceed the costs of the mattress stewardship program described in subsection (b) of this section and to maintain financial reserves sufficient to operate the program over a multi-year period in a fiscally prudent and responsible manner. Not later than sixty (60) days after the council proposes a mattress stewardship fee, the auditor shall render an opinion to the corporation director as to whether the proposed mattress stewardship fee is reasonable to achieve the goals set forth in this section. If the auditor concludes that the mattress stewardship fee is reasonable, then the proposed fee shall go into effect not less than ninety (90) days after the auditor notifies the corporation director that the fee is reasonable. If the auditor concludes that the mattress stewardship fee is not reasonable, the auditor shall provide the council with written notice explaining the auditors opinion. Specific documents or information provided to the auditor by the council, along with any associated internal documents or information held by the council, shall be made available to the corporation for its review upon request but shall not be made public if the documents and information contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information of a privileged or confidential nature, pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38 (access to public records). Not later than fourteen (14) days after the councils receipt of the auditors opinion, the council may either propose a new mattress stewardship fee, or provide written comments on the auditors opinion. If the auditor concludes that the fee is not reasonable, the corporation director shall decide, based on the auditors opinion and any comments provided by the council, whether to approve the proposed mattress stewardship fee. Such auditor shall be selected by the council. The cost of any work performed by such auditor pursuant to the provisions of this subsection and subsection (i) of this section shall be funded by the council.

(i)(1) On and after the implementation of the mattress stewardship program, each retailer shall add the amount of the fee established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and described in subsection (h) of this section to the purchase price of all mattresses sold in this state. The fee shall be remitted by the retailer to the council. The council may, subject to the corporation directors approval, establish an alternative, practicable means of collecting or remitting such fee.

(2) On and after the implementation date of the mattress stewardship program, no producer, distributor, or retailer shall sell or offer for sale a mattress to any person in the state if the producer is not a member of the council.

(3) No retailer or distributor shall be found to be in violation of the provisions of this section, if, on the date the mattress was ordered from the producer or its agent, the producer of said mattress was listed on the corporations website in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(j) Not later than October 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit an annual report to the corporation director. The corporation director shall post such annual report on the corporations website. Such report shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) The weight of mattresses collected pursuant to the program from:

(i) Municipal and/or transfer stations;

(ii) Retailers; and

(iii) All other covered entities;

(2) The weight of mattresses diverted for recycling;

(3) Identification of the mattress recycling facilities to which mattresses were delivered for recycling;

(4) The weight of discarded mattresses recycled, as indicated by the weight of each of the commodities sold to secondary markets;

(5) The weight of mattresses, or parts thereof, sent for disposal at each of the following:

(i) Rhode Island resource recovery corporation; and

(ii) Any other facilities;

(6) Samples of public education materials and methods used to support the program;

(7) A description of efforts undertaken and evaluation of the methods used to disseminate such materials;

(8) Updated performance goals and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the methods and processes used to achieve performance goals of the program; and

(9) Recommendations for any changes to the program.

(k) Two (2) years after the implementation of the program and upon the request of the corporation director, but not more frequently than once a year, the council shall cause an audit of the program to be conducted by the auditor described in subsection (h) of this section. Such audit shall review the accuracy of the councils data concerning the program and provide any other information requested by the corporation director. Such audit shall be paid for by the council. The council shall maintain all records relating to the program for not less than three (3) years.

( l ) No covered entity that participates in the program shall charge for receipt of mattresses generated in the state. Covered entities may charge a fee for providing the service of collecting mattresses and may restrict the acceptance of mattresses by number, source, or physical condition.

(m) Covered entities that, upon the date of this acts passage, have an existing program for recycling discarded mattresses may continue to operate such program without coordination of the council, so long as the entities are able to demonstrate, in writing, to the corporation director that the facilities to which discarded mattresses are delivered are engaged in the business of recycling said mattresses and the corporation director approves the written affirmation that the facility engages in mattress recycling of mattresses received by the covered entity. A copy of the written affirmation and the corporations approval shall be provided to the council by the corporation director in a timely manner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-83-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-83 / Section 23-83-3
§ 23-83-3. Notification of option to donate umbilical cord blood.
Status: in_force

(a) At a time determined to be appropriated by the treating clinician, in consultation with the patient, after the first trimester of pregnancy, and as soon as reasonably feasible, every obstetrical professional or facility in the state shall inform the pregnant woman once during her pregnancy of the following options relating to stem cells that are contained in her umbilical cord blood after the delivery of her child:

(1) Donate the stem cells to a public umbilical cord blood bank;

(2) Store the stem cells at the patients expense in a family umbilical cord blood bank for use by the immediate family and extended family members;

(3) Store the stem cells for family use through a family or sibling donor banking program that provides free collection, processing and storage where there is a medical need; or

(4) Discard the stem cells.

(b) A person who acts in good faith pursuant to this section is not subject to civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for those acts.

(c) Any obstetrical professional or facility receiving financial remuneration for the collection, processing, or transport of umbilical cord blood shall provide written disclosure of this information to the pregnant woman at the time that the notification of options for umbilical cord blood collection and donation is made pursuant to § 23-83-3.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a patient to donate her umbilical cord blood.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-71-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-71 / Section 23-71-2
§ 23-71-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) Adjusted for inflation means increased in accordance with the formula for inflation adjustment set forth in exhibit C to the Master Settlement Agreement.

(b) Affiliate means a person who directly or indirectly owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, another person. Solely for purposes of this definition, the terms owns, is owned, and ownership mean ownership of an equity interest or the equivalent of an equity interest of ten percent (10%) or more, and the term person means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or any other organization or group of persons.

(c) Allocable share means allocable share as that term is defined in the Master Settlement Agreement.

(d) Cigarette means any product that contains nicotine, is intended to be burned or heated under ordinary conditions of use, and consists of or contains: (1) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco; (2) tobacco, in any form, that is functional in the product, which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette; or (3) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in clause (1) of this definition. The term cigarette includes roll your own (i.e., any tobacco which, because of its appearance, type, packaging, or labeling is suitable for use and likely to be offered to or purchased by, consumers as tobacco for making cigarettes). For purposes of this definition of cigarette, 0.09 ounces of roll your own tobacco constitutes one individual cigarette.

(e) Master Settlement Agreement means the settlement agreement (and related documents) entered into on November 23, 1998, by the state and leading United States tobacco product manufacturers.

(f) Qualified escrow fund means an escrow arrangement with a federally or state chartered financial institution having no affiliation with any tobacco product manufacturer and having assets of at least one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) where the arrangement requires that the financial institution hold the escrowed funds principal for the benefit of releasing parties and prohibits the tobacco product manufacturer placing the funds into escrow from using, accessing, or directing the use of the funds principal except as consistent with §23-71-3.

(g) Released claims means released claims as that term is defined in the Master Settlement Agreement.

(h) Releasing parties means releasing parties as that term is defined in the Master Settlement Agreement.

(i)(1) Tobacco product manufacturer means an entity that after the date of enactment of this chapter directly (and not exclusively through any affiliate):

(i) Manufactures cigarettes anywhere that the manufacturer intends to be sold in the United States, including cigarettes intended to be sold in the United States through an importer, except where the importer is an original participating manufacturer as that term is defined in the Master Settlement Agreement that will be responsible for the payments under the Master Settlement Agreement with respect to the cigarettes as a result of the provisions of subsection II(mm) of the Master Settlement Agreement and that pays the taxes specified in subsection II(z) of the Master Settlement Agreement, and provided that the manufacturer of the cigarettes does not market or advertise the cigarettes in the United States;

(ii) Is the first purchaser anywhere for resale in the United States of cigarettes manufactured anywhere that the manufacturer does not intend to be sold in the United States; or

(iii) Becomes a successor of an entity described in subdivision (i) or (ii).

(2) The term tobacco product manufacturer does not include an affiliate of a tobacco product manufacturer unless the affiliate itself falls within any of (a)(1)(i)  (iii).

(j) Units sold means the number of individual cigarettes sold in the state by the applicable tobacco product manufacturer (whether directly or through a distributor, retailer or similar intermediary or intermediaries) during the year in question, as measured by excise taxes collected by the state on packs (or roll your own tobacco containers) bearing the excise tax stamp of the state or unstamped roll your own containers. The division of taxation shall promulgate any regulations that are necessary to ascertain the amount of state excise tax paid on the cigarettes of the tobacco product manufacturer for each year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-6 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-6
§ 23-19-6. Creation, membership, and terms of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.
Status: in_force

(a) There is authorized, created, and established a public corporation of the state, having a distinct legal existence from the state and not constituting a department of the state government, with the politic and corporate powers set forth in this chapter, to be known as the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation, (the corporation) to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The corporation is constituted a public instrumentality and agency exercising public and essential governmental functions, and the exercise by the corporation of the powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential governmental function of the state.

(b) It is the intent of the general assembly by the passage of this chapter to create and establish a public corporation and instrumentality and agency of the state for the purpose of the activities authorized by this chapter, and to vest the corporation with all powers, authority, rights, privileges, and titles that may be necessary to enable it to accomplish those purposes. This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformance with the purpose expressed in this section.

(c) The powers of the corporation shall be vested in nine (9) commissioners, consisting of the director of administration, or the directors designee, who shall be a subordinate within the department of administration, who shall serve as an ex-officio member, and eight (8) public members to be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate, at least three (3) of whom shall be a resident of the town of Johnston. In making these appointments, the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations from the mayor of the town of Johnston and from the League of Cities and Towns. The governor shall also give due consideration to recommendations from representatives of the commercial waste haulers, and environmental advocacy organizations, and shall consider persons experienced in the field of recycling. Those members of the corporation as of May 4, 2006, who were appointed to the corporation by members of the general assembly shall cease to be members of the corporation on May 4, 2006, and the governor shall thereupon nominate one new member who shall serve the balance of the unexpired term of his or her predecessor. Those members of the corporation as of May 4, 2006, who were appointed to the corporation by the governor shall continue to serve the balance of their current terms. Thereafter, the appointments shall be made by the governor with advice and consent of the senate as prescribed in this section.

(d) All public members shall serve staggered three (3) year terms except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section. In the month of June each year thereafter, the governor shall appoint the successor(s) to the commissioners the governor has appointed whose terms expire that year, to serve for a term of three (3) years commencing on the day they are qualified. All public members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. The members of the corporation shall be eligible to succeed themselves.

(e) Any vacancy occurring in the office of a member by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be filled by the governor with advice and consent of the senate in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term of the former member as prescribed in subsection (c) of this section.

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

(g) The commissioners shall annually elect from among their number a chair, vice chair and a treasurer, and any other officers that they may determine. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair or whenever two (2) commissioners so request. Four (4) commissioners shall constitute a quorum, and any action taken by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution approved by a majority of the commissioners present and voting at any regular or special meeting. No vacancy in the membership of the corporations board of commissioners shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the corporation.

(h) Commissioners shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties, but the commissioner shall be reimbursed for his or her reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the duties under this chapter.

(i) The commissioners of the corporation shall at regular intervals at least eight (8) times a year conduct business meetings for the purpose of carrying out its general business. The meetings shall be open to the public and all records and minutes will be a matter of public record. The corporation shall be considered a public body and shall be subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Law, chapter 46 of title 42 and to the provisions of title 38 concerning public records.

(j) The corporation shall continue until its existence is terminated by law. At that time its holdings and assets shall pass to and become vested in the state.

(k) The state shall indemnify and hold harmless every past, present, or future commissioner, officer, or employee of the corporation who is made a party to or is required to testify in any action, investigation, or other proceeding in connection with or arising out of the performance or alleged lack of performance of that persons duties on behalf of the corporation. These persons shall be indemnified and held harmless, whether they are sued individually or in their capacities as commissioners, officers, or employees of the corporation, for all expenses, legal fees and/or costs incurred by them during or resulting from the proceedings, and for any award or judgment arising out of their service to the corporation that is not paid by the corporation and is sought to be enforced against a person individually, as expenses, legal fees, costs, awards or judgments occur. Provided, however, that neither the state nor the corporation shall indemnify any commissioner, officer, or employee:

(1) For acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

(2) For any transaction from which the member derived an improper personal benefit; or

(3) For any malicious act.

(l) No one shall be eligible for appointment unless he or she is a resident of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-16-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-16 / Section 23-16-1
§ 23-16-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Health Facilities Construction Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-14 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-14
§ 23-7-14. Severability.
Status: in_force

The invalidity of any part or portion of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remaining part of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-47 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-47
§ 23-17-47. Identification badges.
Status: in_force

A health care facility shall require all persons, including students, who examine, observe, or treat a patient or resident of the facility to wear a photo identification badge which states, in a reasonably legible manner: (1) the first name, (2) licensure registration status, if any, (3) fluency in sign language other than English, if any, and (4) staff position of that person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-103-5 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-103 / Section 23-103-5
§ 23-103-5. Reporting requirement.
Status: in_force

Each time a facility updates a list as required under §§ 23-103-3(g) and 23-103-4(e)(4), the facility shall submit the updated list to the commission. The commission may prescribe the form in which the updated list shall be submitted to the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-10-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-10 / Section 23-10-1
§ 23-10-1. Report of tubercular cases by state institutions.
Status: in_force

The superintendent or other person in charge or control of any hospital, school, reformatory, or other institution, deriving the whole or any part of its support from the public funds of the state, having in charge or under its care or custody any person or persons suffering with tuberculosis, shall, within forty-eight (48) hours after recognition of that disease, make or cause to be made in the manner and form prescribed by the state department of health a record of the name, age, sex, color, race, occupation, social condition, and residence of the person or persons, so affected, together with any other appropriate information that may be demanded by the state department of health. That information shall be furnished on blanks supplied by the state department of health, and that information shall be forwarded each week to the office of the director of health, on those blanks. Any superintendent, or any other person, charged with any duty under this section who shall fail or refuse to comply with the requirements of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-23-22 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-23 / Section 23-23-22
§ 23-23-22. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-30 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-30
§ 23-33-30. Elevators placed out of service.
Status: in_force

All elevators and other devices subject to the provisions of §§23-33-1 to 23-33-29, inclusive, having been out of active service for a period exceeding one year, or said devices to be placed out of service for a period exceeding six (6) months, after July 1, 1997, shall comply with the following: (A) (1) The owner or agent for the owner shall notify the chief inspector in writing, giving the date when the elevator or other device will be placed out of service. (2) If the out of service period is to exceed six (6) months, the car and counterweights where provided shall be lowered to the pit floor, all suspension means removed, all main line fuses removed, and the service switch opened and tagged and sealed. (3) All hoistway entrances shall be bolted securely in the closed position from the hoistway side. (4) Where hoistway gates are in place, the landing openings shall be totally enclosed and strongly reinforced. (5) The lowest landing hoistway door shall be locked from the outside of the hoistway to facilitate repairs for reactivation. (6) Where the elevator or other device is hydraulically operated, the decommissioning shall, in addition to the securing of the hoistway and electrical power as described previously, lower the car into the pit, and have all hydraulic fluid and piping from the cylinder to the pump unit removed from the premises. (7) In addition to the removal of the main line fuses, the supply wiring from the load side of the main line disconnect switch to the controller shall be removed on all devices decommissioned. (8) Any device having been decommissioned as described previously, shall be reactivated when in compliance with the current rules and regulations as promulgated by the code commission. (B) Any device required to be decommissioned shall have this procedure completed by a licensed company as specified in §23-33-2.2. The said company shall notify the chief inspector when any device is decommissioned. (C) Any elevator or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter, having been placed out of service for code violations or non-use by an inspector or the chief inspector shall be subject to the provisions of this section.

Provided, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to eliminate any requirement for hoisting engineers that would be required pursuant to the provisions of §28-26-5 and/or to authorize the promulgation of any rules and/or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of §28-26-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-36 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-1 / Section 23-1-36
§ 23-1-36. Directors duties regarding health education, alcohol, and substance abuse programs.
Status: in_force

The director shall establish health education, alcohol, and substance abuse programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve (12), in accordance with § 35-4-18. The director shall make an annual report to the governor and the general assembly on the administration of the program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-61-10 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-61 / Section 23-61-10
§ 23-61-10. Applicability of §§ 45-13-7  45-13-10.
Status: in_force

The provisions of §§ 45-13-7  45-13-10 shall not apply to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-25-29 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-25 / Section 23-25-29
§ 23-25-29. Protection of trade secrets and other information.
Status: in_force

(a) In submitting data required by this chapter, the applicant may:

(1) Clearly mark any portion of it which in his or her opinion are trade secrets or commercial or financial information; and

(2) Submit that marked material separately from other material required to be submitted under this chapter.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the director shall not make public information which in his or her judgment contains or relates to trade secrets or commercial or financial information obtained from a person as privileged or confidential, except that, when necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, information relating to formulas of products acquired by authorization of this chapter may be revealed to any state or federal agency consulted, or as required by law, and may be revealed at a public hearing or in findings of fact issued by the director.

(c) If the director proposes to release for inspection information which the applicant or registrant believes to be protected from disclosure under subsection (b) of this section, he or she shall notify the applicant or registrant in writing by certified mail. The director shall not after this make available for inspection that data until thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice by the applicant or registrant. During this period, the applicant or registrant may institute an action in an appropriate court for a declaratory judgment as to whether the information is subject to protection under subsection (b) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-74-7 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-74 / Section 23-74-7
§ 23-74-7. Examination access of medical data.
Status: in_force

The director may require an unlicensed practitioner to undergo a physical or psychiatric examination by a physician acceptable to the director from a list provided to the practitioner if probable cause exists to believe that allegations of misconduct against him or her are caused by an impairment which has directly affected his or her ability to conduct his or her practice professionally. In such circumstances, the director shall also be entitled to obtain confidential health care information of the practitioner without the practitioners consent. The director may not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of this section, nor subject qualified individuals with disabilities to any discrimination on the basis of a disability. All decisions of the director shall be based on the allegation of unprofessional conduct and not due to probable cause of the conduct being related to the disability of the practitioner. An unlicensed health care practitioner affected under this section shall at reasonable intervals be given an opportunity to demonstrate that the practitioner can resume the provision of health care practices with reasonable safety to clients. In any proceeding under this section, neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the director shall be used against an unlicensed health care practitioner in any other proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-12-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-12 / Section 23-12-2
§ 23-12-2. Educational plan.
Status: in_force

The state director of health shall formulate and put into effect an educational plan for the purpose of preventing cancer, for the purpose of aiding in the early diagnosis of cancer, and for the purpose of informing hospitals and cancer patients of the proper treatment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-23-29.3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-23 / Section 23-23-29.3
§ 23-23-29.3. Non-road diesel engine idling.
Status: in_force

On or before July 1, 2007, the department shall adopt rules governing diesel engine idling to restrict the unnecessary operation of non-road diesel engines. So far as is reasonably feasible, the rules shall provide that no entity shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary idling of a non-road diesel engine. Non-road diesel engines to be considered in this rulemaking shall include, but may not be limited to, construction engines, airport ground support equipment, commercial and industrial equipment. Unnecessary idling shall not include such periods and circumstances as the department may determine as reasonably requiring that the engine remain idling, which periods may include, but not be limited to, when airfield maintenance vehicles are being used on a state-owned or operated airport. This provision shall not extend to any diesel powered engine and/or vehicle that must continuously operate while stationary in order to function properly, a vehicle making deliveries of fuel or energy products, or to insure workplace safety.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-89-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-89 / Section 23-89-1
§ 23-89-1. Establishment of advisory council  Purposes.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby authorized, created and established a nine (9) member advisory council to be known as The Rhode Island Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council within the department of health with the powers and duties set forth in this chapter.

(b) The director of the department of health shall appoint nine (9) members to the council who shall have expertise in various aspects of palliative care including, but not limited to, medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy and spiritual; and patient and family caregivers. Membership shall specifically include experience in palliative care in a variety of inpatient, outpatient and community settings such as acute care, long-term care and hospice and with a variety of populations including pediatric, youth and adult care. One (1) council member shall be a designee of the Rhode Island American Cancer Society and two (2) members shall be a chief executive of a licensed homecare agency or their designee. At least two (2) council members shall be board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physicians and/or nurses. Members shall serve for a term of three (3) years. Members shall receive no compensation for their services.

(c) The Rhode Island palliative care and quality of life interdisciplinary advisory council shall consult with and advise the department of health on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcomes evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-24 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-24
§ 23-3-24. Copies of data from vital records.
Status: in_force

In accordance with § 23-3-23 and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section:

(1) The state registrar of vital records shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the registrars custody or a part thereof. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration; and copies issued from records marked delayed, amended, or court order shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. Any copies issued of a certificate of foreign birth shall indicate this fact and show the actual place of birth.

(2) The local registrars shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the local registrars custody or to which the local registrar has access only in a form that shall be prescribed by the state director of health or the state archives under the control of the secretary of state, following transfer pursuant to § 23-3-5.1.

(3) A certified copy of a certificate or any part thereof, issued in accordance with subdivision (1) or (2) of this section, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record that has been amended, or a certificate of foreign birth, shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.

(4) The National Office of Vital Statistics may be furnished copies or data that it may require for national statistics; provided, that the state shall be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing the data; and provided further, that the data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the National Office of Vital Records unless so authorized by the state registrar of vital records.

(5) Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes upon terms or conditions that may be prescribed by the state director of health.

(6) No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, except as authorized in this chapter or regulations adopted under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-63-4.9 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-63 / Section 23-63-4.9
§ 23-63-4.9. Tire deposit system.
Status: in_force

(a) Every retailer shall require of each consumer purchasing tires a five dollar ($5.00) deposit on each vehicle tire purchased. The tire deposit shall be refunded in full within fourteen (14) days from the date the consumer delivers to the retailer a used vehicle tire. A retailer shall not refuse to accept from any consumer any used vehicle tire which is reasonably clean and substantially intact. No retailer shall be required to refund a tire deposit to any consumer who has not purchased a tire from a retailer, nor shall any retailer be required to pay out more tire deposit refunds than the number of tires the consumer purchased from the retailer. Any tire deposits held by a retailer and not reclaimed by the consumer after the fourteen (14) day period shall revert to, and become the property of, the retailer.

(b) All retailers accepting used vehicle tires shall be responsible for disposal of the tires pursuant to § 23-63-2.

(c) A copy of this section of the general laws, or a summary of this section of the general laws as approved by the director of the department of environmental management, shall be posted by all retail sellers in a place which is plainly visible to customers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-7-1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-7 / Section 23-7-1
§ 23-7-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and cited as The Mosquito Abatement Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-12-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-12 / Section 23-12-3
§ 23-12-3. Aid to indigent patients.
Status: in_force

The state director of health is authorized and directed to make rules and regulations specifying to what extent and on what terms and conditions indigent cancer patients of this state may receive financial aid for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in any approved hospital in this state. The director of health is authorized to furnish aid to indigent cancer patients of this state who are citizens of this state and who through no fault of their own are financially unable to provide proper treatment for themselves, to the extent of and within the available funds as the state director of health shall deem proper. The state director of health shall have the power in his or her discretion to administer aid in any manner that in his or her judgment will afford the greater benefit to cancer patients throughout the state, and shall have the power, to the extent of and within the available funds which may be provided by the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-74-14 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-74 / Section 23-74-14
§ 23-74-14. Unlicensed health care client bill of rights.
Status: in_force

(a) Scope. All unlicensed health care practitioners shall provide to each unlicensed health care client prior to providing treatment a written copy of the unlicensed health care client bill of rights. A copy must also be posted in a prominent location in the office of the unlicensed health care practitioner. Reasonable accommodations shall be made for those clients who cannot read or who have communication impairments and those who do not read or speak English. The unlicensed health care client bill of rights shall include the following:

(1) The name, unlicensed health care title, business address, and telephone number of the unlicensed health care practitioner;

(2) The degrees, training, experience, or other qualifications of the practitioner regarding the unlicensed health care being provided, followed by the following statement in bold print:

The state of Rhode Island has not adopted any educational and training standards for unlicensed health care practitioners. This statement of credentials is for information purposes only.

Under Rhode Island law, an unlicensed health care practitioner may not provide a medical diagnosis. If a client desires a diagnosis from a licensed physician, chiropractor, or acupuncture practitioner, or services from a physician, chiropractor, nurse, osteopath, physical therapist, dietician, nutritionist, acupuncture practitioner, athletic trainer, or any other type of health care provider, the client may seek such services at any time;

(3) The name, business address, and telephone number of the practitioners supervisor, if any;

(4) Notice that an unlicensed health care client has the right to file a complaint with the practitioners supervisor, if any, and the procedure for filing complaints;

(5) The name, address, and telephone number of the department and notice that a client may file complaints with the department;

(6) The practitioners fees per unit of service, the practitioners method of billing for the fees, the names of any insurance companies that agreed to reimburse the practitioner, or health maintenance organizations with whom the practitioner contracts to provide service, whether the practitioner accepts Medicare, medical assistance, or general assistance medical care, and whether the practitioner is willing to accept partial payment, or to waive payment, and in what circumstances;

(7) A statement that the client has a right to reasonable notice of changes in services or charges;

(8) A brief summary, in plain language, of the theoretical approach used by the practitioner in providing services to clients;

(9) Notice that the client has a right to complete and current information concerning the practitioners assessment and recommended service that is to be provided, including the expected duration of the service to be provided;

(10) A statement that clients may expect to be free from verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by the practitioner;

(11) A statement that client records and transactions with the practitioner are confidential, unless release of these records is authorized in writing by the client, or otherwise provided by law;

(12) A statement of the clients right to be allowed access to records and written information from records in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(13) A statement that the client has the right to choose freely among available practitioners and to change practitioners after services have begun, within the limits of health insurance, medical assistance, or other health programs;

(14) A statement that the client has a right to a coordinated transfer when there will be a change in the provider of services;

(15) A statement that the client may refuse services or treatment, unless otherwise provided by law; and

(16) A statement that the client may assert the clients rights without retaliation.

(b) Acknowledgement by client. Prior to the provision of any service, an unlicensed health care client must sign a written statement attesting that the client has received the unlicensed health care client bill of rights.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-90-9 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-90 / Section 23-90-9
§ 23-90-9. Violations.
Status: in_force

A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to § 23-90-7 shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). In the case of a second and any subsequent violation, the civil penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-17 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-17
§ 23-33-17. Notice of new installation  Temporary permit for testing.
Status: in_force

No elevator or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be erected in any building within the limits of this state unless it shall be constructed, installed, and equipped in compliance with the rules set forth in the code; and any person erecting or installing any elevator or other device shall immediately notify the division and the chief shall thereupon satisfy himself or herself, either by inspection or by guaranty from the manufacturer of the device, that the elevator or device complies with the requirements of this chapter. Upon being so satisfied, the chief shall furnish to the owner of the elevator or device a permit authorizing the installation of the elevator or device, and the right to operate the elevator or device temporarily for test purposes. The permit shall be conspicuously posted adjacent to the elevator or device being installed. The permit shall not authorize the regular operation of the elevator or device for the usual function of carrying freight or passengers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-12.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-12.1
§ 23-17-12.1. Scope of inspections.
Status: in_force

(a) Inspections and investigations shall include health, sanitation, nursing care, and dietary and other conditions immediately affecting the patients.

(b) The department shall assign responsibility for verifying compliance with licensing requirements and issuing renewal licenses to an individual or office independent of the inspection process.

(c) The department shall establish written procedures to: (1) track all deficiencies identified during and after the inspection and investigation processes; and (2) clearly define the internal process for appealing deficiency citations.

(d) The department shall establish procedures to verify the implementation of plans of correction and remediation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-99-3 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-99 / Section 23-99-3
§ 23-99-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) Affiliate means any person or company who or that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control of another company or person including, but not limited to, any company that is merged or consolidated, or that purchases all or substantially all of the assets of another company.

(2) Board means the board of directors of the hub.

(3) Certification proposal means a written proposal submitted by a life science company for approval as a certified life sciences company.

(4) Certified life sciences company means a life science company that has been certified by the board as being eligible to receive grants and incentives from the investment fund.

(5) Commerce corporation means the Rhode Island commerce corporation, established pursuant to § 42-64-1 et seq.

(6) Company means a business corporation, partnership, firm, unincorporated association, or other entity engaged or proposing to engage in economic activity within the state, and any affiliate thereof.

(7) Hub means the Rhode Island life science hub established by § 23-99-4.

(8) Investment fund means the hub investment fund established by § 23-99-6.

(9) Life science means and shall include, but not be limited to, the science of: medical devices, biomedical technology, biomedical engineering, biopharmaceuticals, genomics, biomanufacturing, cell and gene therapies, health software and artificial intelligence, genomics, diagnostics, digital health, marine science, agricultural science, veterinary science and the broader life sciences to foster the development of cutting-edge medical breakthroughs.

(10) Life science company means a company engaged in life science research, development, manufacturing, incubation, or commercialization in Rhode Island, and any affiliate thereof.

(11) Person means a natural person, company, or other legal entity.

(12) Revenue means receipts, fees, rentals, or other payments or income received or to be received by the hub in the exercise of its corporate powers under this chapter including, but not limited to, income on account of the leasing, mortgaging, sale, or other disposition of property or proceeds of a loan made by the hub, and amounts in reserves or held in other funds or accounts established in connection with the issuance of bonds or notes and the proceeds of any investments thereof, proceeds of foreclosure and other fees, charges, or other income received or receivable by the hub.

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

(14) State public body means the state, or any city or town or any other subdivision or public body of the state or of any city or town.

(15) Venture means, without limitation, any contractual arrangement with any person whereby the corporation obtains rights from or in an invention or product or proceeds therefrom, or rights to obtain from any person any and all forms of equity instruments including, but not limited to, common and preferred stock, warrants, options, convertible debentures, and similar types of instruments exercisable or convertible into capital stock, in exchange for the granting of financial aid to such person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-22-13 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-22 / Section 23-22-13
§ 23-22-13. Appropriations and disbursements.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums that it may deem necessary, to be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this chapter, and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of these sums upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-82-6 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-82 / Section 23-82-6
§ 23-82-6. Use of auction or sale proceeds.
Status: in_force

(a) The proceeds from the auction or sale of the allowances shall be used for the benefit of energy consumers through investment in the most cost-effective available projects that can reduce long-term consumer energy demands and costs. Such proceeds may be used only for the following purposes, in a proportion to be determined annually by the office in consultation with the council and the board:

(1) Promotion of cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation in order to achieve the purposes of § 39-1-27.7;

(2) Promotion of cost-effective renewable non-carbon emitting energy technologies in Rhode Island as defined in § 39-26-5 and to achieve the purposes of chapter 26 of title 39 entitled Renewable Energy Standard;

(3) Cost-effective direct rate relief for consumers;

(4) Direct rate relief for low-income consumers;

(5) Reasonable compensation to an entity selected to administer the auction or sale;

(6) Reasonable costs of the department of environmental management and office of energy resources in administering this program, as well as other climate change, energy efficiency, and renewable program efforts of the department of environmental management and office of energy resources, which shall not in any year exceed three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) or ten percent (10%) of the proceeds from sale or auction of the allowances, whichever is greater. Administrative funds not expended in any fiscal year shall remain in the administrative account to be used as needed in subsequent years. The office of energy resources shall have the ability to apply administrative funds not used in a fiscal year to achieve the purpose of this section. The funds deposited into the administrative funds account shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of § 35-4-27;

(7) For fiscal year 2023 only, the office of energy resources shall transfer three million dollars ($3,000,000) from unallocated auction proceeds to the executive climate change coordinating council restricted receipt account to maintain funding for the existing electric vehicle and electric bicycle incentive programs and to support other projects; and

(8) Provided however, effective for fiscal year 2024 and thereafter, sale of allowances yielding in excess of four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000) per auction shall be transferred to the Rhode Island office of energy resources, on behalf of the executive climate change coordinating council, for climate change related initiatives. The executive climate change coordinating council shall have exclusive authority to direct the use of these funds pursuant to § 42-6.2-3.1. The office of energy resources may act on behalf of the executive climate change coordinating council to disburse these funds. Provided further, that any transfer of allowances in a single fiscal year, pursuant to this section shall not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000).

(b) Any interest earned on the funds so generated must be credited to the fund. Funds not spent in any fiscal year shall remain in the fund to be used for future energy efficiency and carbon reduction programs.

(c) Annually, the office, in consultation with the council and board, shall prepare a draft proposal on how the proceeds from the allowances shall be allocated. The draft proposal shall be designed to augment and coordinate with existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and shall not propose use of auction proceeds for projects already funded under other programs. The proposal for allocation of proceeds in subsections (a)(1), (2), and (3) shall be one that best achieves the purposes of the law, namely, lowering carbon emissions and minimizing costs to consumers over the long term. The office shall hold a public hearing and accept public comment on the draft proposal in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42 (the Administrative Procedures Act). Once the proposal is final, the office shall authorize the disbursement of funds in accordance with the final plan.

(d) The office shall prepare, in consultation with the council and board, a report by April 15 of each year describing the implementation and operation of RGGI, the revenues collected and the expenditures, including funds that were allocated to the energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and the individuals, businesses, and vendors that received funding, made under this section, the statewide energy efficiency and carbon reduction programs, and any recommendations for changes to law relating to the states energy conservation or carbon reduction efforts. The report shall be made public and be posted electronically on the website of the office of energy resources and shall also be submitted to the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-12.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-12.1
§ 23-33-12.1. Inspection and registration of private elevators.
Status: in_force

The chief inspector shall conduct a final acceptance inspection on completion of the installation, modification, or alteration of a private residence elevator before it is placed in service. Upon completion and final acceptance inspection of a private residence elevator, the homeowner shall register the private residence elevator with the department of labor and training. Registration is to be made on a form furnished by the department of labor and training  division of occupational safety and a database of private residence elevators shall be maintained by the chief inspector.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-6 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-6
§ 23-17-6. Issuance of license  Posting  Transfer  Conditions.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and healthcare facility meet the requirements established under this chapter and any rules and regulations that may be established in accordance with the requirements established under this chapter. A license issued under the provisions of this section shall be the property of the state and loaned to the licensee, and it shall be kept posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons named in the application, and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Home nursing-care providers and home-care providers operating under a single license may establish branch offices under that same single license and that license shall be maintained and posted in the central office.

(b) Any change in owner, operator, or lessee of a licensed healthcare facility, (except for single-practice physician ambulatory-surgery centers, multi-practice physician ambulatory-surgery centers, single-practice podiatry ambulatory-surgery centers and multi-practice podiatry ambulatory-surgery centers as defined in subsections (17) and (18) of chapter 17, section 2) which license shall be transferable or assignable by decision of the licensing agency as shall be provided by regulation, shall require prior review by the health services council and approval of the licensing agency as a condition precedent to the transfer, assignment, or issuance of a new license. Issuance of the license may be made subject to any condition; provided, that no condition may be made unless it directly relates to the statutory purpose expressed in § 23-17-3 or to the review criteria set forth in § 23-17-14.3. This shall not limit the authority of the licensing agency to require correction of conditions or defects which existed prior to the proposed change of owner, operator, or lessee and of which notice had been given to the healthcare facility by the licensing agency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-25.2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-25.2
§ 23-3-25.2. Incarcerated persons exemption for fees for copies and searches.
Status: in_force

Any incarcerated person who is set to be released from prison to re-enter the community shall be processed without a charge or fee when making a first request for vital statistics at the department of health regarding a request for their own personal records.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19-35.1 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-19 / Section 23-19-35.1
§ 23-19-35.1. Use of acquired property.
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to any other permitted use, the houses and structures acquired per §§ 23-19-34 and 23-19-35 may, in accordance with procedures set forth in regulation(s) adopted by the corporation, be:

(i) Sold by the corporation in order to be salvaged or moved to another location;

(ii) Razed or salvaged by the corporation; or

(iii) Moved by the corporation to a location greater than one thousand feet (1000²) from the entire operational area of the central landfill.

(b) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, in order to return some of the property purchased pursuant to § 23-19-34 or § 23-19-35 to the tax rolls, the corporation may sell, for any use permitted by local zoning, any property acquired pursuant to § 23-19-34 or § 23-19-35 that is located north of Central Avenue in Johnston, and greater than one thousand feet (1000²) from the entire operational boundary of the central landfill. In addition, a covenant shall be placed in the deed of any real property so sold notifying the purchaser of the presence of the landfill and protecting the corporation from any legal action by the purchaser with respect to the environmental impact of it.

(c)(1) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, in order to return some of the property purchased pursuant to §§ 23-19-34 and 23-19-35 to the tax rolls, the corporation shall in addition to any other permitted use have the right to sell, rent, lease, transfer or otherwise convey or encumber, any and all land acquired per § 23-19-34 or per § 23-19-35, provided the land is used solely for industrial/business uses in conformance with the dimensional requirements of the local zoning ordinance. In addition, a covenant shall be placed in the deed of any real property so sold notifying the purchaser of the presence of the landfill and protecting the corporation from any legal action by the purchaser with respect to the environmental impact of it.

(2) The corporations development of an industrial/business park pursuant to this chapter shall be in accordance with the following:

(i) The corporation may utilize any and all property acquired pursuant to §§ 23-19-34 and 23-19-35 and/or any property owned by the corporation located south of Central Pike, west of Old Pocasset Road, to the intersection of Old Pocasset Road and Scituate Avenue, then west of Route 295, bounded to the south by the northern shore (mean high water line) of the Upper Simmons Reservoir and the Lower Simmons Reservoir, for the development of the industrial/business park.

(ii) The corporation may retain ownership of the land that comprises the industrial/business park and/or may sell or lease portions of the industrial/business park to other public or private entities.

(iii) The industrial/business park may be utilized for any and all permitted business, manufacturing and/or industrial uses authorized by the town of Johnston zoning ordinance in any zoning district for all zoning districts notwithstanding the underlining zoning district designation of the subject land.

(iv) The corporation may not extend the operational portion of the central landfill into any portion of the industrial/business park.

(v) The corporations development of the industrial/business park shall be in compliance with the dimensional requirements of the town of Johnston zoning ordinance.

(vi) The corporation shall maintain a one hundred (100) foot wide vegetated buffer between any portion of the industrial/business park and any adjacent property being used for residential purposes.

(vii) The corporations development of the industrial/business park shall not be effected by any change in the town of Johnstons zoning or subdivision ordinances enacted after December 31, 2000.

(d) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, in order to return some of the property purchased pursuant to § 23-19-35 to the tax rolls, the corporation may sell, for any use permitted by local zoning, any property acquired to § 23-19-35 in which the primary structure on the property is located greater than two thousand feet (2000²) from the entire operational portion of the central landfill. The corporation may sell all of these parcels and all structures thereon for any use permitted by local zoning. In addition, a covenant shall be placed in the deed of any real property so sold notifying the purchaser of the presence of the landfill and protecting the corporation from any legal action by the purchaser with respect to the environmental impact of it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-51 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-51
§ 23-17-51. Magnetic resonance imaging  Quality assurance standards.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a magnetic resonance imaging examination eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of any individual or group health insurance contract, plan or policy delivered in this state shall be reimbursed only if the facility at which the examination has been conducted and processed is accredited by either the American College of Radiology (ACR), the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), or an alternate nationally recognized accrediting organization whose accreditation standards are substantially similar to and no less stringent than current or subsequent ACR or IAC standards and have been reviewed and deemed adequate by the department of health. All accreditation standards under this section, whether promulgated by the ACR, IAC, or an alternate nationally recognized accrediting organization, shall include, but shall not be limited to, provisions for establishing the qualifications of the physician, standards for quality control and routine performance monitoring by a medical physicist, qualifications of the technologist including minimum standards of supervised clinical experience, personnel and patient safety guidelines, and standards for initial and ongoing quality control using clinical image review and quantitative testing.

(b) Any facility conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging examinations which, as of June 30, 2006, is receiving reimbursement for such services by a health insurer, health maintenance organization or health plan, but is not accredited pursuant to subsection (a), shall file its application for accreditation within eighteen (18) months of July 14, 2006. Such accreditation shall be obtained not later than twelve (12) months after submission of its application. A facility which begins conducting and processing of magnetic resonance imaging examinations after June 30, 2006 shall file its application for accreditation within twelve (12) months of the date of initiation of the magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Such accreditation shall be obtained not later than twelve (12) months after submission of its application. After such accreditation is obtained, a facility conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging examinations shall, at all times, maintain accreditation with the appropriate accrediting body. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any facility which has filed for accreditation pursuant to this subsection (b) and which has not been refused accreditation or withdrawn its application, will be deemed provisionally accredited for the twelve (12) month period dating from the application filing date. Provided, further, that notwithstanding any provision of the general laws or public laws to the contrary, any facility conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging examinations shall conform to the standards of the appropriate accrediting body at all times, including during the accreditation process and shall certify said conformance to any reimbursing health insurer, health maintenance organization or health plan.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-33-16 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-33 / Section 23-33-16
§ 23-33-16. Issuance and posting of certificate.
Status: in_force

Whenever a compliance inspector or an authorized inspector shall have inspected any existing elevator or device and shall have found it safe for operation; or whenever any repairs required by the inspector to be made on any existing elevator or device shall have been completed to his or her satisfaction; or whenever in the case of any elevator or device hereafter installed, the chief shall have satisfied himself or herself, by inspection, or otherwise, that it may be safely operated; or whenever in the case of any elevator or device hereafter erected the chief shall have satisfied himself or herself that the elevator or device complies with the standards and rules set forth in the code of rules, the chief shall, upon payment of the required fee stated in § 23-33-12, issue to the owner of the elevator or device the certificate authorizing the operation of the elevator or device, stating the date of the issue of such certificate, which shall be renewable annually, but shall be valid until revoked. Each certificate shall be conspicuously posted by the owner of the elevator or device in the cars of elevators or in conspicuous places contiguous to other devices.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-9-15 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-9 / Section 23-9-15
§ 23-9-15. Unauthorized departure from infected vessel.
Status: in_force

If any person shall come on shore from on board a vessel as described in this chapter without first obtaining a license, the city or town council may immediately send that offender back on board that vessel, or confine him or her on shore in a convenient place that appears to the city or town council most effectual to prevent the spreading of any infection; and the offending person shall satisfy and pay all charges that shall arise on the confinement, and shall be fined forty dollars ($40.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-2
§ 23-3-2. Division of vital records and statewide system.
Status: in_force

There is established in the state department of health a division of vital records that shall install, maintain, and operate the system of vital records throughout this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-38-2 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-38 / Section 23-38-2
§ 23-38-2. Connectors for beverage containers required to be degradable.
Status: in_force

No person shall sell or offer to sell in this state beverage containers that are held together by connectors, unless the connectors are made of degradable material.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-67 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-17 / Section 23-17-67
§ 23-17-67. Hospital determinations for Medicare and Medicaid for uninsured patients.
Status: in_force

(a) All hospitals shall screen each uninsured patient, upon the uninsured patients agreement, at the earliest reasonable moment for potential eligibility for both:

(1) Public health insurance programs; and

(2) Any financial assistance offered by the hospital.

(b) All screening activities, including initial screenings and all follow-up assistance, shall be provided in compliance with § 23-17-54.

(c) If a patient declines or fails to respond to the screening described in subsection (a) of this section, the hospital shall document in the patients record the patients decision to decline or failure to respond to the screening, confirming the date and method by which the patient declined or failed to respond.

(d) If a patient does not decline the screening described in subsection (a) of this section, a hospital shall screen an uninsured patient at the earliest reasonable moment.

(e) If a patient does not submit to screening, financial assistance application, or reasonable payment plan documentation within thirty (30) days after a request, the hospital shall document the lack of received documentation, confirming the date that the screening took place and that the thirty-day (30) timeline for responding to the hospitals request has lapsed; provided, however, that it may be reopened within ninety (90) days after the date of discharge, date of service, or completion of the screening.

(f) If the screening indicates that the patient may be eligible for a public health insurance program, the hospital shall provide information to the patient about how the patient can apply for the public health insurance program, including, but not limited to, referral to healthcare navigators who provide free and unbiased eligibility and enrollment assistance, including healthcare navigators at federally qualified health centers; local, state, or federal government agencies; or any other resources that the state recognizes as designed to assist uninsured individuals in obtaining health coverage.

(g) If the uninsured patients application for a public health insurance program is approved, the hospital shall bill the insuring entity and shall not pursue the patient for any aspect of the bill, except for any required copayment, coinsurance, or other similar payment for which the patient is responsible under the insurance. If the uninsured patients application for public health insurance is denied, the hospital shall again offer to screen the uninsured patient for hospital financial assistance, and the timeline for applying for financial assistance under this section shall begin again.

(h) A hospital shall offer to screen an insured patient for hospital financial assistance under this section if the patient requests financial assistance screening; if the hospital is contacted in response to a bill; if the hospital learns information that suggests an inability to pay; or if the circumstances otherwise suggest the patients inability to pay.

(i)(1) Each hospital shall post a sign with the following notice: You may be eligible for financial assistance under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients. For more information contact [hospital financial assistance representative].

(2) The sign under subsection (i)(1) of this section shall be posted, either by physical or electronic means, in accordance with § 23-17-54.

(3) Each hospital that has a website shall post a notice in a prominent place on its website that financial assistance is available at the hospital, a description of the financial assistance application process, and a copy of the financial assistance application.

(4) Within one hundred eighty (180) days after January 1, 2025, each hospital shall make available information regarding financial assistance from the hospital in the form of either a brochure, an application for financial assistance, or other written or electronic material in the emergency room, hospital admission, and registration area.

(j)(1) The executive office of health and human services is responsible for administering and ensuring compliance with this section, including the development of any rules and regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this section.

(2) The executive office of health and human services shall develop and implement a process for receiving and handling complaints from individuals or hospitals regarding possible violations of this section.

(3) The attorney general may conduct any investigation deemed necessary regarding possible violations of this section by any hospital including, without limitation, the issuance of subpoenas to:

(i) Require the hospital to file a statement or report or answer interrogatories in writing as to all information relevant to the alleged violations;

(ii) Examine under oath any person who possesses knowledge or information directly related to the alleged violations; and

(iii) Examine any record, book, document, account, or paper necessary to investigate the alleged violation.

(4) If the attorney general determines that there is a reason to believe that any hospital has violated this section, the attorney general may bring an action against the hospital to obtain temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief for any act, policy, or practice by the hospital that violates this section. Before bringing such an action, the attorney general may permit the hospital to submit a correction plan for the attorney generals approval.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-14 — RI Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23-3 / Section 23-3-14
§ 23-3-14. Court reports of adoption.
Status: in_force

(a) For each adoption decreed by any court in this state, the court shall require the preparation of a record of adoption on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar of vital records. The record shall include those facts that are necessary to locate and identify the certificate of birth of the person adopted or, in the case of a person who was born in a foreign country, evidence from sources determined to be reliable by the court as to the date and place of birth of the person; provide information necessary to establish a new certificate of birth of the person adopted; and shall identify the order of adoption and be certified by the clerk of court.

(b) Information in the possession of the petitioner necessary to prepare the adoption report shall be furnished with the petition for adoption by each petitioner for adoption or his or her attorney. The welfare agency or other person concerned shall supply the court with any additional information in their possession that may be necessary to complete the record. The provision of that information shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of a final decree in the matter by the court.

(c) Whenever an adoption decree is amended or annulled, the clerk of the court shall prepare a certificate which shall include the facts that are necessary to identify the original adoption report and the facts amended in the adoption decree that shall be necessary to properly amend the birth record.

(d) Not later than the tenth (10th) day of each calendar month, the clerk of the court shall forward to the state registrar of vital records records of decrees of adoption, annulment of adoption, or amendments of those entered in the preceding month, together with any related reports that the state registrar of vital records shall require.

(e) When the state registrar of vital records shall receive a record of adoption, annulment of adoption, or amendment of those from a court for a person born outside this state, that record shall be forwarded to the appropriate registration authority in the state of birth. If the birth occurred in a foreign country, and the child was not a citizen of the United States at the time of birth, the state registrar shall prepare a certificate of foreign birth as provided by § 23-3-15(e)(1).