reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 42-127.1-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-127.1 - Uniform Electronic Transactions Act|Section 42-127.1-18 - Acceptance and distribution of electronic records by governmental agencies.

§ 42-127.1-18. Acceptance and distribution of electronic records by governmental agencies.(a) Except as otherwise provided in § 42-127.1-12(f), each governmental agency of the state shall determine whether, and the extent to which, it will send and accept electronic records and electronic signatures to and from other persons and otherwise create, generate, communicate, store, process, use, and rely upon electronic records and electronic signatures; provided, however, all determinations shall be governed by the provisions of title 38.(b) To the extent that a governmental agency uses electronic records and electronic signatures under subsection (a), the governmental agency, giving due consideration to security, may specify;(1) The manner and format in which the electronic records must be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, and stored and the systems established for those purposes;(2) If electronic records must be signed by electronic means, the type of electronic signature required, the manner and format in which the electronic signature must be affixed to the electronic record, and the identity of, or criteria that must be met by, any third party used by a person filing a document to facilitate the process;(3) Control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate preservation, disposition, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability of electronic records; and(4) Any other required attributes for electronic records which are specified for correspondence non-electronic records or reasonably necessary under the circumstances.(c) Except as otherwise provided in § 42-131-12(f), this chapter does not require a governmental agency of this state to use or permit the use of electronic records or electronic signatures.History of Section.P.L. 2000, ch. 175, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 259, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-127.1-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-127.1 - Uniform Electronic Transactions Act|Section 42-127.1-19 - Interoperability.

§ 42-127.1-19. Interoperability.A governmental agency of this state which adopts standards pursuant to § 42-127.1-18 may encourage and promote consistency and interoperability with similar requirements adopted by other governmental agencies of this and other states and the federal government and non-governmental persons interacting with governmental agencies of this state. If appropriate, those standards may specify differing levels of standards from which governmental agencies of this state may choose in implementing the most appropriate standard for a particular application.History of Section.P.L. 2000, ch. 175, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 259, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-127.1-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-127.1 - Uniform Electronic Transactions Act|Section 42-127.1-20 - Severability.

§ 42-127.1-20. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.History of Section.P.L. 2000, ch. 175, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 259, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-128-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-2 - Rhode Island housing resources agency created.

§ 42-128-2. Rhode Island housing resources agency created.There is created within the executive department a housing resources agency with the following purposes, organization, and powers:(1) Purposes:(i) To provide coherence to the housing programs of the state of Rhode Island and its departments, agencies, commissions, corporations, and subdivisions.(ii) To provide for the integration and coordination of the activities of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission.(2) Coordinating committee — Created — Purposes and powers:(i) The coordinating committee of the housing resources agency shall be comprised of the chairperson of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation; the chairperson of the Rhode Island housing resources commission; the director of the department of administration, or the designee of the director; and the executive director of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation. The chairperson of the Rhode Island housing resources commission shall be chairperson of the coordinating committee.(ii) The coordinating committee:(A) Shall develop and implement, with the approval of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission, a memorandum of agreement describing the fiscal and operational relationship between the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission and shall define which programs of federal assistance will be applied for on behalf of the state by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission.(B) Is authorized and empowered to negotiate and to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with agencies and political subdivisions of the state, not-for-profit corporations, for profit corporations, and other partnerships, associations and persons for any lawful purpose necessary and desirable to effect the purposes of this chapter, subject to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37 as applicable.(3) There is hereby established a restricted receipt account within the general fund of the state. Funds from this account shall be used to provide for housing and homelessness initiatives including housing production, lead hazard abatement, housing rental subsidy, housing retention assistance, and homelessness services and prevention assistance with priority to veterans.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 286, § 5; P.L. 2004, ch. 324, § 5; P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 12, § 6; P.L. 2015, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 14, § 4, effective July 6, 2021.
RI Gen L § 42-128-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-3 - Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation.

§ 42-128-3. Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation.The Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation established by chapter 55 of this title shall remain an independent corporation and shall serve as the housing finance and development division of the Rhode Island housing resources agency.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-4 - Rhode Island housing resources commission.

§ 42-128-4. Rhode Island housing resources commission.The Rhode Island housing resources commission shall be an agency within the executive department with responsibility for developing plans, policies, standards and programs and providing technical assistance for housing.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 286, § 5; P.L. 2004, ch. 324, § 5.
RI Gen L § 42-128-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-5 - Purposes.

§ 42-128-5. Purposes.The purposes of the commission shall be:(1) To develop and promulgate state policies, and plans, for housing and housing production and performance measures for housing programs established pursuant to state law.(2) To coordinate activities among state agencies and political subdivisions pertaining to housing.(3) To promote the stability of and quality of life in communities and neighborhoods.(4) To provide opportunities for safe, sanitary, decent, adequate and affordable housing in Rhode Island.(5) To encourage public-private partnerships that foster the production, rehabilitation, development, maintenance, and improvement of housing and housing conditions, especially for low and moderate income people.(6) To foster and support no-profit organizations, including community development corporations, and their associations and intermediaries, that are engaged in providing and housing related services.(7) To encourage and support partnerships between institutions of higher education and neighborhoods to develop and retain quality, healthy housing and sustainable communities.(8) To facilitate private for-profit production and rehabilitation of housing for diverse populations and income groups.(9) To provide, facilitate, and/or support the provisions of technical assistance.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 286, § 5; P.L. 2004, ch. 324, § 5.
RI Gen L § 42-128-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-7 - General powers.

§ 42-128-7. General powers.The commission shall have the following powers, together with all powers incidental to or necessary for the performance of those set forth in this chapter:(1) To sue and be sued.(2) To negotiate and to enter into contracts, agreements, and cooperative agreements with agencies and political subdivisions of the state, not-for-profit corporations, for profit corporations, and other partnerships, associations and persons for any lawful purpose necessary and desirable to effect the purposes of this chapter.(3) To adopt by-laws and rules for the management of its affairs and for the exercise of its powers and duties, and to establish the committees, workgroups, and advisory bodies that from time to time may be deemed necessary.(4) To receive and accept grants or loans as may be made by the Federal government, and grants, donations, contributions and payments from other public and private sources.(5) To grant or loan funds to agencies and political subdivisions of the state or to private groups to effect the purposes of this chapter.(6) To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies, and of the agencies and political subdivisions of this state in the work of the commission.(7) To establish, charge, and collect fees and payments for its services.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-9 - Offices within the commission.

§ 42-128-9. Offices within the commission.There shall be, as a minimum, the following offices within the commission: the office of policy and planning, the office of housing program performance and evaluation, the office of homelessness services and emergency assistance, and the office of community development, programs and technical assistance. The commission may establish by rule such other offices, operating entities, and committees as it may deem appropriate.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-10 - Appropriations.

§ 42-128-10. Appropriations.The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums it may deem necessary to enable the commission to carry out its assigned purposes; and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of any sums appropriated or so much as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the chairperson or the executive director.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-11 - Executive director - Employees.

§ 42-128-11. Executive director — Employees.The governor shall appoint from qualified candidates, with the advice of the coordinating committee, an executive director, who shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 4 of title 36, and who shall serve as the state housing commissioner and may also serve in the executive office of commerce as the deputy secretary of housing. The commission shall also cause to be employed staff and technical and professional consultants as may be required to carry out the powers and duties set forth in this chapter. All staff, including the executive director, may be secured through a memorandum of agreement with the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, or any other agency or political subdivision of the state with the approval of the relevant agency or political subdivision, as provided for in § 42-128-2(2)(ii). Any person who is in the civil service and is transferred to the commission may retain civil service status.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 14, § 4, effective July 6, 2021.
RI Gen L § 42-128-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-12 - Coordination with other state agencies.

§ 42-128-12. Coordination with other state agencies.State agencies, departments, authorities, corporations, boards, commissions, and political subdivisions shall cooperate with the commission in the conduct of its activities, and specifically: the Rhode Island historical preservation and heritage commission shall advise the commission on issues of historical preservation standards as they pertain to housing and the use of historical preservation programs to improve housing and to enhance community character; the statewide planning program, created pursuant to § 42-11-10, shall advise the commission on issues of planning in general and land use controls and shall revise the state guide plan, as necessary, to achieve consistency with official state plans and policies for housing adopted by the commission, and the department of business regulation shall advise the commission on issues of business regulation affecting housing, shall review its regulations and practices to determine any amendments, changes, or additions which might be appropriate to advance the purposes of this chapter, and shall designate an official within the department to serve as liaison to, and the contact person for, the commission on issues related to housing.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-13 - Open meetings law.

§ 42-128-13. Open meetings law.The housing resources agency, the coordinating committee, and the housing resources commission and any committee, council, or advisory body created by the commission shall conform to the provisions of chapter 46 of this title.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-14 - Public records law.

§ 42-128-14. Public records law.The housing resources agency, the coordinating committee, and the housing resources commission and any committee, council, or advisory body created by the commission shall conform to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-15 - Administrative procedures act.

§ 42-128-15. Administrative procedures act.The commission may adopt any rules, including measurable standards, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of this title that may be necessary to the purposes of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-16 - Annual report.

§ 42-128-16. Annual report.The commission shall submit for each calendar year by March 1 of the next year a report to the governor and the general assembly on its activities and its findings and recommendations regarding housing issues, which report by census tract, shall include the number and dollar amount of its programs and an assessment of health related housing issues, including the incidence of lead poisoning.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128 - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998|Section 42-128-17 - Severability and liberal construction.

§ 42-128-17. Severability and liberal construction.If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance 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. The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally in order to accomplish the purposes of the chapter, and where any specific power is given to the commission, the statement shall not be deemed to exclude or impair any power otherwise in this chapter conferred upon the commission.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-128.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128.1 - Lead Hazard Mitigation|Section 42-128.1-1 - Short title.

§ 42-128.1-1. Short title.This chapter may be cited and shall be known as the "Lead Hazard Mitigation Act."History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3.
RI Gen L § 42-128.1-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128.1 - Lead Hazard Mitigation|Section 42-128.1-2 - Legislative findings.

§ 42-128.1-2. Legislative findings.The general assembly finds and declares that:(1) Rhode Island's rental housing stock is older and lead hazards are widespread;(2) There has been an insufficient level of lead hazard abatement in Rhode Island's rental housing stock;(3) Children in Rhode Island, especially in older urban communities, have been victims of lead poisoning at disproportionately high rates;(4) During the 1990's meeting department of health lead hazard abatement standards has ranged between seven thousand dollars ($7,000) and fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per unit;(5) The combination of the high cost of meeting the abatement standards and the system of incentives available for rental property owners in Rhode Island resulted in few properties being improved to state standards as a consequence of voluntary activity by property owners; and(6) The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has promulgated regulations for lead hazard control that apply to housing that is federally assisted and require inspections with dust testing.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3.
RI Gen L § 42-128.1-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128.1 - Lead Hazard Mitigation|Section 42-128.1-3 - Legislative purposes.

§ 42-128.1-3. Legislative purposes.In order to promote the prevention of childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island, it is the purpose of this chapter:(1) To increase the supply of rental housing in Rhode Island in which lead hazards are, at a minimum, mitigated;(2) To improve public awareness of lead issues and to educate both property owners and tenants about practices that can reduce the incidence of lead poisoning;(3) To resolve disjointed insurance practices arising from lead liabilities exclusions.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3.
RI Gen L § 42-128.1-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128.1 - Lead Hazard Mitigation|Section 42-128.1-7 - Lead hazard mitigation.

§ 42-128.1-7. Lead hazard mitigation.The housing resources commission shall adopt, no later than April 1, 2003, rules:(1) For housing constructed prior to 1978, which require property owners to certify at the time of transfer that the dwelling and/or premises meet the requirements for lead hazard mitigation or lead hazard abatement, or that the party or parties acquiring the property are notified of the potential lead hazards, and at the time of rental of units that the requirements for meeting the appropriate standards have been met;(2) For a lead hazard mitigation standard;(3) For any training, certification or licensing necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and(4) For a process to receive, investigate, and decide whether the correction of a lead hazard, pursuant to § 42-128.1-8(a)(3) and (d) was satisfactory. These rules shall establish an expeditious procedure to determine whether the allegation of unsatisfactory correction has merit. The process may be integrated with or make use of the technical assistance service provided for in § 42-128.1-13.(5) For a process to grant a variance to subsections 42-128.1-8(a)(3), (a)(5), and (b), where there exists a hardship as to financing lead hazard mitigation, or where materials, personnel, or weather delays the mitigation completion.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3; P.L. 2005, ch. 142, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 143, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-128.1-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-128.1 - Lead Hazard Mitigation|Section 42-128.1-10 - Right to housing where lead hazards are corrected.

§ 42-128.1-10. Right to housing where lead hazards are corrected.(a) Pregnant women and families with children under six (6) years of age shall be deemed to have a right to housing in which lead hazards have been mitigated or abated.(b) Injunctive Relief. Effective November 1, 2005, if the property owner of a rental dwelling fails to comply with such standards for lead hazard mitigation, or abatement, as applicable, a right of private action shall exist that allows households that include an at risk occupant to seek injunctive relief from a court with jurisdiction against the property owner in the form of a court order to compel compliance with requirements for lead hazard control or mitigation. A person who prevails is entitled to an award of the costs of the litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees in an amount to be fixed by the court. Cases brought before the court under this section shall be granted an accelerated hearing.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 221, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 223, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 142, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 143, § 2.