reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 5-49-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-15 - Board - Creation - Composition - Appointment and terms.

§ 5-49-15. Board — Creation — Composition — Appointment and terms.(a) There is established a board of hearing aid dealers and fitters that guides, advises, and makes recommendations to the department.(b) (1) Members of the board shall be residents of the state.(2) The board shall consist of three (3) hearing aid dealers and fitters; one otolaryngologist; one audiologist; and one lay member who shall be a user of hearing aids and not employed in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids.(3) Each hearing aid dealer and fitter on the board shall have no less than five (5) years' experience and hold a valid license as a hearing aid dealer and fitter, as provided under this chapter.(4) Excepted shall be the hearing aid dealers and fitters of the first board appointed, who have no less than five (5) years of experience and fulfill all qualifications under § 5-49-7 as provided under this chapter.(c) All members of the board shall be appointed by the governor.(d) The term of office of each member shall be three (3) years; except that of the members of the first board appointed under this chapter, two (2) shall be appointed for two (2) years; two (2) shall be appointed for three (3) years; and two (2) shall be appointed for four (4) years.(e) Before a member's term expires, the governor shall appoint a successor to assume his or her duties on the expiration of his or her predecessor's term.(f) A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.(g) The members of the board shall annually designate one member to serve as chair and another to serve as secretary-treasurer.(h) No member of the board who has served two (2) or more full terms may be reappointed to the board until at least one year after the expiration of his or her most recent full term of office.(i) Members of the board shall not be compensated for their services on the board.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 21, § 15.
RI Gen L § 5-49-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-16 - Board - Duties.

§ 5-49-16. Board — Duties.(a) The board shall:(1) Advise the department in all matters relating to this chapter;(2) Prepare the examinations required by this chapter for the department; and(3) Assist the department in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.(b) The department shall be guided by the recommendations of the board in all matters relating to this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-49-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-17 - Board - Meetings.

§ 5-49-17. Board — Meetings.The board shall meet not less than six (6) times each year at a place, day, and hour determined by the board. The board shall also meet at any other times and places as requested by the department.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 341, § 7.
RI Gen L § 5-49-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-18 - Disposition of receipts - Hearing aid revenues.

§ 5-49-18. Disposition of receipts — Hearing aid revenues.The department shall deposit, as general revenues into the state treasury, all moneys received by the department pursuant to this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 26.
RI Gen L § 5-49-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-19 - Penalty for violations.

§ 5-49-19. Penalty for violations.Violation of any provisions of this chapter shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-49-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-20 - Severability.

§ 5-49-20. Severability.(a) If any section, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this chapter is for any reason held or declared to be unconstitutional, inoperative, or void, that holding of invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions;(b) It shall be construed to have been the legislative intent to pass this chapter without that unconstitutional, invalid, or inoperative part; and(c) The remainder of this chapter, after the exclusion of that part or parts, shall be deemed and held to be valid as if those parts had not been included.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-49-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-21 - Rules and regulations.

§ 5-49-21. Rules and regulations.The department shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 341, § 9.
RI Gen L § 5-49-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-22 - [Repealed.]

§ 5-49-22. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 384, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1982, ch. 414, § 17.
RI Gen L § 5-49-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-49 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters|Section 5-49-23 - Other rights and remedies.

§ 5-49-23. Other rights and remedies.The rights and remedies provided to a purchaser by this chapter shall be in addition to and are not construed to abrogate or diminish any rights and remedies the purchaser may have under other laws, including, but not limited to, chapter 2 of title 6A, chapter 2.1 of title 6A, and chapter 45 of title 6.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 149, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-50-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-1 - Definition of terms.

§ 5-50-1. Definition of terms.Whenever used in this chapter:(1) "Business day" means any day except Sunday or a legal holiday.(2) "Buyer" or "purchaser" means a natural person who enters into a health club contract.(3) "Department" means the department of attorney general, unless otherwise described.(4) "Disability" means a condition that will exist for more than forty-five (45) days and prevents a buyer from utilizing the health club to the same extent the buyer did before the commencement of the condition.(5) "Health club" means any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other business enterprise offering facilities for the preservation, maintenance, encouragement, or development of physical fitness or well-being in return for the payment of a fee entitling the payer to the use of the facilities. The term includes, but is not limited to, "health spas," "health clubs," "health studios," "figure salons," "sports clubs," "aerobic dance studios," "weight-control studios," "gyms," and anywhere exercise facilities are available; but does not include any nonprofit organization, any private club owned and operated by its members, or any facility owned or operated by the state of Rhode Island or any of its political subdivisions.(6) "Health club contract" means a written statement where a buyer is entitled to membership in a health club or use of the facilities of a health club for a period longer than seven (7) days.(7) "Seller" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, franchise, franchisor, or other business enterprise that operates a health club or offers or enters into contracts for health club services.(8) "Services actually received" includes any period during which the facilities of the health club are available to the buyer and are actually used by the buyer.(9) "Unopened facility" means a health club that is not fully constructed, open or available for use at the time the seller and buyer enter into a contract for health club services.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-3 - Bonding.

§ 5-50-3. Bonding.(a) Prior to the execution of any contract for health club services, every seller that sells contracts for health club services shall, for each individual health club location or facility, obtain a surety bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for a facility with less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of permanently covered, non-court sport exercise/aerobic/fitness area; twenty thousand ($20,000) for facilities between ten thousand (10,000) square feet and twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet of permanently covered, non-court sport exercise/aerobic/fitness area; and thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for facilities with greater than twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet of permanently covered, non-court sport exercise/aerobic/fitness area.(b) Proof of bonding must be presented at the time of registration or re-registration.(c) This section does not apply to:(1) Any owner/operator in continuous operation in the same location for five (5) years as of January 1, 1998;(2) Nonprofit organizations, weight loss and control services that do not provide physical exercise facilities and classes and that do not obligate the customer for more than thirty (30) days, and do not require an initiation fee as a condition of the contract; or(3) A seller that does not require an initiation fee as a condition of a health club contract and whose only type of membership does not exceed thirty (30) days and that posts a conspicuous notice, placed with or near its schedule of rates posted pursuant to § 5-50-8(b) or at its entrances, that the seller is not subject to the bonding requirements of this section.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 331, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 437, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 15.
RI Gen L § 5-50-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-5 - Duration of contracts.

§ 5-50-5. Duration of contracts.(a) No contract for health club services shall be for a term longer than twenty-four (24) months; except that upon expiration of the contract, the seller may offer the buyer the right to renew his or her contract for a similar, shorter or longer period not to exceed twenty-four (24) months.(b) No contract for health club services shall require payments or financing by the buyer over a period that extends more than one month beyond the expiration of the contract. The installment payments shall be in substantially equal amounts exclusive of the down payment and shall be required to be made at substantially equal intervals, not more frequently than one payment per month.(c) No contract for health club services may contain any provisions where the buyer agrees not to assert against the seller, or any assignee or transferee, of the health club services contract, any claim or defense arising out of the health club services contract or the buyer's activities at the health club.(d) No contract for services may require the buyer to execute a promissory note or series of promissory notes that, when negotiated, cuts off as to third parties a defense that the buyer may have against the seller.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-6 - Downgrading of membership.

§ 5-50-6. Downgrading of membership.No buyer may be charged an additional fee for reducing a membership to a different and lesser grade of membership in the health club.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-7 - Pre-opening sales - Permit and bond required - Facilities unopened - Under construction and planned.

§ 5-50-7. Pre-opening sales — Permit and bond required — Facilities unopened — Under construction and planned.(a) Any health club that is not fully operative or established and that conducts a pre-opening sales campaign must, before advertising or hold a pre-opening sales campaign, obtain a permit from the director of business regulation. The permit shall not be issued until a surety bond is posted in the amount stipulated in § 5-50-3.(b) Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity intending to offer health club services at a facility under construction or planned shall register as required by § 5-50-2 before opening for business, entering into any contracts, or accepting any fees and shall maintain a surety bond as required by § 5-50-3.(c) (1) A health club shall not enter into a contract with a buyer more than twelve (12) months prior to the intended opening of the health club.(2) A buyer shall be entitled to a full refund from an unopened seller as provided in § 5-50-4(d).(3) When the facility is substantially completed and fully operational and available for use, the seller shall mail or personally deliver to each buyer a written notice informing the buyer that:(i) The facility is available for inspection and use; and(ii) The buyer has fifteen (15) days after the date of the mailing of the notice to inspect the facility and determine whether it substantially conforms to the written contract, any written materials provided by the seller, or any advertisement by the seller.(4) If it is found that the facilities do not conform, the buyer may cancel by giving notice to the seller in person or by mail and the buyer shall receive a full refund.(5) If upon reasonable investigation the buyer ascertains that the promised facility was not open and available for use within sixty (60) days after the date promised, and no substantial work was performed to prepare the facility for opening for a period of more than thirty (30) days thereafter, the buyer may request a refund from the seller and the buyer shall receive a full refund.(d) The director of the department of business regulation may promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.History of Section.P.L. 1966, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 15.
RI Gen L § 5-50-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-8 - Truth in advertising - Posting of rates.

§ 5-50-8. Truth in advertising — Posting of rates.(a) It is unlawful for a seller, his or her agents, employees, or other representatives to misrepresent directly or indirectly in its advertising, promotional materials, or in any other manner:(1) The size, location(s), facilities, or equipment of the health club;(2) The nature, extent, and availability of the services, courses, programs, guidance, instruction, counseling, assistance, devices, or methods available at the health club;(3) The price structure, price discounts, sales, or offers of the health club.(b) Every health club must clearly post, within twenty-feet (20′) of the main entrance, a schedule of rates that advises buyers and potential buyers of the charges for the use of the health club facilities. The rates will include all renewal and new membership dues and fees.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 514, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-9 - Remedies, injunctive relief, and civil penalties.

§ 5-50-9. Remedies, injunctive relief, and civil penalties.(a) Any buyer of a health club contract that is in material violation of this chapter has a right to cancel the contract and a right of action against the health club for recovery of triple the amount actually paid to the health club under the contract. In addition to any judgment awarded to the buyer, the court may allow reasonable attorney's fees to be taxed as cost.(b) The superior court of this state has jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter. The court may issue appropriate decrees upon consent and stipulation by the parties. The court may also issue restraining orders. Under no circumstances is the state required to post bond in any action under this section.(c) The attorney general is authorized to apply to the superior court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and enjoining any health club from operating in violation of any provision of this chapter. The attorney general may institute proceedings as provided in subsection (b).(d) (1) Any person may institute proceedings for injunctive relief, temporary or permanent, as provided in subsection (b), against threatened loss or damage by a violation of this chapter.(2) A preliminary injunction may be issued upon a showing that the danger of irreparable loss or damage is immediate and, within the court's discretion, the execution of property bond against damages for an injunction improvidently granted.(3) If the court issues a permanent injunction, the plaintiff shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of the suit. Reasonable costs of the suit may include, but not be limited to, the expenses of discovery and document production.(e) In addition to the injunctive relief authorized by subsection (b), any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who or that violates this chapter may be liable for a civil penalty in a suit by the attorney general of this state of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-10 - Common-law rights preserved.

§ 5-50-10. Common-law rights preserved.Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to nullify or impair any right that a buyer may have against a seller at common law, by statute, or otherwise. The provisions of this chapter shall not be exclusive and shall not relieve the seller, the assigns, or contracts from compliance with all other applicable provisions of law.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-11 - Severability.

§ 5-50-11. Severability.If any provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation made pursuant to this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstances, is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule, or regulation and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by that invalidity. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 154, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-50-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-50 - Health Clubs|Section 5-50-12 - Defibrillators.

§ 5-50-12. Defibrillators.(a) Every health club registered with the department of attorney general pursuant to this chapter shall have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises. The AED will at all times be deployed in a manner in which best provides accessibility to staff, members, and guests. At least one employee per shift must be properly trained by the American Heart Association or comparable state-recognized agency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED, and must be on duty during hours of operation.(b) Any facility that has a health club on premises that currently complies with all parts within this act shall be exempted from duplication.(c) A cause of action against a health club or its employees, in connection with the use or nonuse of an AED, shall not exist except in cases where the health club has failed to purchase an AED as required under this act and in cases of willful or wanton negligence.(d) A knowing or willful violation of this section by a health club may result in suspension or revocation of its registration.(e) Any health club that operates a facility on a key-pass basis with no attending employees at any time is exempt from the trained-employee-on-duty requirement set forth in subsection (a).History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 440, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 453, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 356, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-51-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-51 - Rhode Island State Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects|Section 5-51-3 - Use of title "landscape architect" restricted - Registration certificate requirement.

§ 5-51-3. Use of title "landscape architect" restricted — Registration certificate requirement.No person, except as provided in § 5-51-12, may use the title "landscape architect" or display or use any words, letters, figures, title, signs, seal, advertisement, or other device to indicate that the person practices or offers to practice landscape architecture or may represent himself or herself as a practitioner of landscape architecture or engages in the practice of landscape architecture in this state, unless that person has first secured a certificate of registration as provided in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1975, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 16.