reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 28-20-34 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-20 - Division of Occupational Safety|Section 28-20-34 - Severability.

§ 28-20-34. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or the application of the provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter or the application of the provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid shall not be affected by the invalidity.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 260, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-20-35 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-20 - Division of Occupational Safety|Section 28-20-35 - Repealed.

§ 28-20-35. [Repealed.]
RI Gen L § 28-21-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-1 - Duty of employer.

§ 28-21-1. Duty of employer.An employer who uses, transports, stores, or otherwise exposes its employees to toxic or hazardous substances shall obtain, maintain, and make available in each workplace a list of all hazardous substances to which employees are or may be exposed. The lists of all hazardous substances shall be readily available to employees for examination during all hours of operation. In addition, a poster shall be placed at conspicuous locations at each workplace and be readily available to employees for examination during all hours of operation. The poster shall contain the rights of employees under this chapter and in addition shall contain the following language: "For Further Information Concerning Your Rights under the Hazardous Substances Right-To-Know Act contact the department of labor and training at (telephone no.)." The director of labor and training shall design, print, and distribute to all employers subject to this chapter, a poster that complies with the provisions of this section.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 498, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-4 - Updating of information by employer.

§ 28-21-4. Updating of information by employer.The chemical and common names of all designated substances introduced into the workplace subsequent to the original listing shall be appended to the chemical identification lists prior to introduction of the substance into the workplace. The original listing and appendages shall be annually revised and alphabetized.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-5 - Fire safety.

§ 28-21-5. Fire safety.(a) An employer shall provide to the person responsible for the administration and direction of a fire department in a fire district or municipality, including a fire chief or fire administrator, or that person's designee:(1) A list of work areas, sufficiently identified by name and location, where designated substances are present, containing the chemical and common name of each substance regularly present;(2) Upon request, material safety data sheets for each hazardous or toxic substance included in this list.(b) The person responsible for the administration and direction of a fire department in a fire district or municipality, including a fire chief or fire administrator or that person's designee, shall maintain the information provided by the employer under subsection (a) of this section and shall provide copies of this information:(1) To fire suppression and fire inspection divisions within the same jurisdiction; and(2) Upon request, to any fire department employee or an employee representative of a fire department employee.(c) Currently conducted fire safety inspections may include, at the discretion of the fire chief or the inspector, compliance with the employer notice requirements of this chapter as enumerated in § 28-21-3(a).History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 269, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-6 - Access to written records - Availability.

§ 28-21-6. Access to written records — Availability.Chemical identification lists required by this chapter as defined in § 28-21-1 and/or material safety data sheets shall be made available upon request for examination and copying to any affected employee or employee representative of employee(s) within three (3) working days of the request, not including weekends or holidays. Upon being informed of the failure of an employer to provide the information as required, the director of the department of labor and training shall within seven (7) days make demand upon the employer for the information, and the employer shall subsequently provide the requesting employee or employee representative and the director of the department of labor and training with the information or copies of it within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the demand, not including weekends or holidays. Each annual chemical identification list shall be kept by the employer for a period of thirty (30) years.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-7 - Falsification of information.

§ 28-21-7. Falsification of information.If any employer or any of its officers or employees fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter by knowingly and intentionally misrepresenting, falsifying, concealing, destroying, or failing to retain the information necessary to comply with the provisions of this chapter, they shall be personally liable to any employee injured as a result of the non-compliance, whether or not the employer is a corporation to the extent that the liability may be imposed under the laws of the state of Rhode Island. The dissolution of a corporation shall not discharge an officer's or employee's liability for the conduct.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-8 - Employee rights.

§ 28-21-8. Employee rights.The following rights are guaranteed to employees:(1) Refusing to work. If an employee has requested from his or her employer information about a designated substance or mixture, either in the form of material safety data sheets or the chemical identification list as defined in § 28-21-1, and has not received this information from the employer within three (3) working days of the date of the request, not including weekends or holidays, the employee may then refuse to work with or be exposed to the designated substance or mixture. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if the employer has invoked and complied with the procedures set forth in § 28-21-3(c), the time period of three (3) working days, not including weekends or holidays, shall be extended to equal any time period provided to the manufacturer or employer under § 28-21-3(c), or until the information has been received by the employer, whichever is sooner.(2) Discipline, discrimination prohibited. An employer may not discharge or otherwise discipline or discriminate against any employee because the employee has exercised his or her right under § 28-21-6 and/or this section, or has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding related to this chapter.(3) Waivers prohibited. An employer may not request or require any employee to waive any rights under this chapter.(4) (i) Remedies and complaint procedure for employees. Any employee who has been discharged, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against by any employer in violation of this chapter may, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the violation occurs or ninety (90) days after the employee first obtains knowledge that a violation has occurred, commence an action in any appropriate court of law alleging wrongful dismissal in violation of this chapter.(ii) In addition to but not in lieu of the action in paragraph (i) of this subdivision, any employee may commence any action in any appropriate court of law to enforce any obligation, duty, or responsibility imposed upon him or her or the employer under the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-10 - Trade secrets.

§ 28-21-10. Trade secrets.(a) A manufacturer or employer may withhold the precise chemical name of a chemical if:(1) The manufacturer or employer can substantiate to the department of labor and training that it is a trade secret;(2) The chemical is not a carcinogen, mutagen, or teratogen as published in OSHA regulations;(3) The chemical is identified by a generic chemical classification that would provide useful information to a health professional;(4) All other information on the properties and effects of the chemical required by this chapter is contained in the material safety data sheet;(5) The material safety data sheet indicates which category of information is being withheld on trade secret grounds; and(6) In any event, the withheld information is provided on a confidential basis to a treating physician who states in writing, except in an emergency situation, that a patient's health problems may be the result of occupational exposure. A statement to this effect with the name of the manufacturer and an emergency telephone number shall be included in the material safety data sheet.(b) "Trade secrets," for the purpose of this section, means any formula, plan, pattern, process, production data, information, or compilation of information which is not patented, which is known only to an employer and certain other individuals, and which is used in the fabrication and production of an article of trade or service, and which gives the employer possessing it a business advantage over competitors who do not possess it.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 269, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 483, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-12 - Physician treating employee - Accessibility to designated substances list.

§ 28-21-12. Physician treating employee — Accessibility to designated substances list.Any physician who is treating an employee and who believes that the employee has a health problem which may be the result of occupational exposure to a designated substance or substances shall have all rights of access to information afforded to any employee under this chapter, except that the information shall be provided to the physician upon his or her request and without regard to any time periods otherwise specified in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-14 - Duties of the department of labor and training.

§ 28-21-14. Duties of the department of labor and training.The director of labor and training is authorized to provide assistance to employers, employee organizations, and employees in the development and conduct of training programs for employees and local public safety personnel, and may provide assistance and consultation to the employer where possible in the completion of material safety data sheets for designated substances and/or mixtures.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 483, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-15 - Common law and other statutory rights of liability preserved.

§ 28-21-15. Common law and other statutory rights of liability preserved.Nothing contained in this chapter shall in any way be construed to be a substitution for any right of action belonging to any person who may suffer injuries because of any hazardous substance.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-16 - Funding - Contracts for services - Exemption for copiers - Appeals.

§ 28-21-16. Funding — Contracts for services — Exemption for copiers — Appeals.(a) The director of labor and training shall determine which employers are subject to the provisions of this chapter. No employer shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter unless and until a request for exemption is filed and approval is granted; provided that public and private libraries shall be exempt from this requirement.(b) The director of labor and training may contract with qualified agencies and/or parties for technical services performed in conjunction with this chapter.(c) The director of labor and training shall exempt from this chapter all employers whose contact with the designated substances is entirely limited to copier machine powders or liquids where the exposure is incidental to the business operation.(d) Any employer who contests the determination of the director may appeal the determination under the provisions set forth in §§ 28-20-19 and 28-20-20.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 483, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 497, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 91; P.L. 2002, ch. 65, art. 13, § 7; P.L. 2013, ch. 144, art. 9, § 7.
RI Gen L § 28-21-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-17 - Penalties.

§ 28-21-17. Penalties.In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies available to employees under § 28-21-8(4), any employer who shall willfully and intentionally violate the requirements of this chapter shall be subject to a fine imposed by the department of labor and training at the rate of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for every day the violation exists. The department may impose the fines and enforce their collection by means of a civil action against the employer and the responsible officers of the employer. In addition, for any violation of this chapter which is willful and intentional and which is committed with disregard for the safety of employees, the responsible officer or officers of any offending employer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed one year for each violation.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-18 - Labeling.

§ 28-21-18. Labeling.(a) The employer shall ensure that each container of designated substances in the workplace as listed in § 28-21-3 is labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:(1) Identity of the designated substance; and(2) Hazard warnings.(b) When stationary containers in a work area have similar contents and hazards, the employer may post signs or placards to convey the required information rather than affixing labels to each individual container.(c) (1) The employer shall ensure that each container of designated substance present or leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:(i) Identity of the designated substance;(ii) Hazard warnings; and(iii) Name and address of the manufacturer or other responsible party who can provide additional information on the designated substance and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.(2) There shall be no conflict with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq., and regulations issued under that act by the department of transportation.(d) The employer need not affix new labels to comply with this section if existing labels already convey the necessary information.(e) The employer is not required to label portable containers into which designated substances are transferred from labeled containers, and which are intended only for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer.(f) The employer shall not remove or deface existing labels on incoming containers of designated substances unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.(g) "Container" as used in this chapter means any receptacle or formed flexible covering, including but not limited to bags, barrels, boxes, cans, cylinders, drums, cartons, vessels, vats, and stationary or mobile storage tanks used solely for the storage of designated substances, but shall not include containers used as equipment where the designated substances are formulated, chemically reacted, or otherwise processed so long as records are available within the immediate location of the piece of equipment to designate the activity taking place in the container.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-19 - Information requirements.

§ 28-21-19. Information requirements.Any requirements contained in this chapter to obtain or modify any information is subject to § 28-21-1.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-20 - Severability.

§ 28-21-20. Severability.If any provisions or part thereof of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of those provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected by that invalidity.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-21-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-21 - Hazardous Substances Right-to-Know Act|Section 28-21-21 - Permanent commission on hazardous substances in the workplace.

§ 28-21-21. Permanent commission on hazardous substances in the workplace.(a) There is created a permanent commission on hazardous substances in the workplace whose purpose it shall be to oversee and study the implementation of this chapter and to advise the general assembly with respect to methods of improving the purpose of this chapter. The commission shall annually submit its report to the general assembly not later than January 15 of each year.(b) The commission shall consist of seventeen (17) members, three (3) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker to serve for their legislative term; two (2) of whom shall be from the senate, one from each political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate to serve for his or her legislative term; two (2) representatives of labor, two (2) representatives of business, one member from the department of health, one member from the department of labor and training, four (4) members from the public, one member from the medical profession, and one member from the jewelry industry, all of whom shall be appointed by the speaker, to serve for terms of three (3) years.(c) During the month of February every year, the speaker shall appoint a member to succeed the members whose term will then next expire, to serve for a term of three (3) years commencing on the first day of March then next following, and until his successor is appointed and qualified.(d) A member shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself.(e) A vacancy, other than by expiration, shall be filled in like manner as an original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term.(f) The speaker shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the commission to serve at the pleasure of the speaker.(g) The membership of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.(h) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to the commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this section.(i) The speaker of the house is authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for the commission.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 105, § 10; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 60.
RI Gen L § 28-22-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-22 - Division of Professional Regulation|Section 28-22-1 - Division established.

§ 28-22-1. Division established.Within the department of labor and training there shall be a division of professional regulation, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 4 of title 36. The division shall act as the administrative agent for the examining boards established by this title and perform such other functions as assigned by this title.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 181, art. 47, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 6, art. 22, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-22-1.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-22 - Division of Professional Regulation|Section 28-22-1.1 - Restricted receipts account.

§ 28-22-1.1. Restricted receipts account.All proceeds of any fees collected pursuant to the provisions of chapter 6 of title 5 entitled "Electricians," chapter 26 of this title entitled "Hoisting Engineers," chapter 27 of this title entitled "Pipefitters and Refrigeration Technicians," chapter 27 of this title entitled "Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractors and Journeypersons Sprinkler Fitters," chapter 45 of this title entitled "Apprenticeship Programs in Trade and Industry," chapter 12 of title 37 entitled "Contractors' bonds," and chapter 13 of title 37 entitled "Labor and Payment of Debts by Contractors," shall be deposited as general revenues.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 126, art. 27, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 54, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 92.