reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 28-14-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-17 - Penalty for violations.

§ 28-14-17. Penalty for violations.(a) Any employer who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction of the misdemeanor, the employer shall be punished by a fine of not less than four hundred dollars ($400) for each separate offense, or by imprisonment of up to one year, or by both fine and imprisonment. Each day of failure to pay wages due an employee at the time specified in this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.(b) Any employer found guilty of violations of this chapter who does not pay wages and fines within thirty (30) days of a final decision and after notification by the department of labor and training, may have his, her or its business license revoked by the state of Rhode Island until he, she or it pays such wages and fines in full or enters into a payment agreement with which he, she or it stays in compliance.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-17; P.L. 2004, ch. 84, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 413, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 449, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 435, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 436, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-14-17.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-17.1 - Administrative assessment.

§ 28-14-17.1. Administrative assessment.(a) Any employer found to have violated the provisions of this chapter upon final determination by the department of labor and training, including claims settled via settlement agreement and administrative hearing, shall be assessed an administrative penalty equal to fifteen percent (15%) to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of back wages ordered to be paid for a first violation within a three-year (3) period. For subsequent violations within a three-year (3) period the assessment shall equal twenty-five percent (25%) to fifty percent (50%) of the amount of back wages ordered to be paid.(b) In determining the amount of any penalty imposed under this section, the director or his or her designee shall consider the good faith of the employer; the gravity of the violation; the history of previous violations; and whether or not the violation was an innocent mistake or willful violation.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 13, § 6.
RI Gen L § 28-14-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-18 - Repealed.

§ 28-14-18. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 179, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 3, effective June 20, 2012.
RI Gen L § 28-14-18.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-18.1 - Repealed.

§ 28-14-18.1. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 179, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 3, effective June 20, 2012.
RI Gen L § 28-14-18.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-18.2 - Repealed.

§ 28-14-18.2. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 179, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 3, effective June 20, 2012.
RI Gen L § 28-14-18.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-18.3 - Collective bargaining.

§ 28-14-18.3. Collective bargaining.This chapter shall not be construed to diminish or impair the rights of a person under any collective bargaining agreement.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 179, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-14-18.4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-18.4 - Extension of protection.

§ 28-14-18.4. Extension of protection.The protections set forth in § 28-14-18 and the relief and damages for violations set forth in §§ 28-14-18.1 and 28-14-18.2 shall also apply to chapters 3, 6, 12, and 18 of this title and to chapter 23 of title 5.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 179, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-14-19.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-19.1 - Misclassification of employees.

§ 28-14-19.1. Misclassification of employees.(a) The misclassification of a worker whether performing work as a natural person, business, corporation, or entity of any kind, as an independent contractor when the worker should be considered and paid as an employee shall be considered a violation of this chapter.(b) In addition to any other relief to which any department or an aggrieved party may be entitled for such a violation, the employer shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) and not greater than three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each misclassified employee for a first offense and up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each misclassified employee for any subsequent offense, which shall be shared equally between the department and the aggrieved party.(c) In determining the amount of any penalty imposed under this section, the director or his or her designee shall consider the size of the employer's business; the good faith of the employer; the gravity of the violation; the history of previous violations; and whether or not the violation was an innocent mistake or willful.(d) A violation of this section may be adjudicated under § 28-14-19 and consolidated with any labor standards violation or under §§ 37-13-14.1 and 37-13-15 and consolidated with any prevailing wage violation.(e) A violation of this section may be brought or adjudicated by any division of the department of labor and training.(f) The department shall notify the contractors' registration board and the tax administrator of any violation of this section.History of Section.P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 4; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 4; P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 13, § 7.
RI Gen L § 28-14-19.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-19.2 - Private right of action to collect wages or benefits and for equitable relief.

§ 28-14-19.2. Private right of action to collect wages or benefits and for equitable relief.(a) Any employee or former employee, or any organization representing such an employee or former employee aggrieved by the failure to pay wages and/or benefits or misclassification in violation of chapter 12 of this title and/or this chapter may file a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain relief. An aggrieved party shall be entitled to recover any unpaid wages and/or benefits, compensatory damages, and liquidated damages in an amount up to two (2) times the amount of unpaid wages and/or benefits owed, as well as an award of appropriate equitable relief, including reinstatement of employment, fringe benefits and seniority rights, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and/or such other appropriate relief or penalties authorized under chapter 12 of this title and/or this chapter. In determining the amount of any penalty imposed under this section, consideration shall be given to the size of the employer's business, the good faith of the employer, the gravity of the violation, the history of previous violations, and whether or not the violation was an innocent mistake or willful. Any unpaid fringe benefit contributions owed pursuant to this section in any form shall be paid to the appropriate benefit fund: however, in the absence of an appropriate fund, the benefit shall be paid directly to the aggrieved employee.(b) An action instituted pursuant to this section may be brought by one or more employees or former employees individually and/or on behalf of other employees similarly situated.(c) No agreement between the employee and employer to work for less than the applicable wage and/or benefit rate or to otherwise work under terms and/or conditions in violation of applicable law is a defense to an action brought pursuant to this section.(d) An employer's responsibility and liability hereunder is solely to the employer's own employees.(e) A civil action filed under this section may be instituted instead of, but not in addition to, the director of labor and training enforcement procedures authorized by the above referenced chapters, provided the civil action is filed prior to the date the director of labor and training issues notice of an administrative hearing.(f) The filing of a civil action under this section shall not preclude the director of labor and training from investigating the matter and/or referring the matter to the attorney general, contractors' registration board and/or the tax administrator.(g) Any claim hereunder shall be forever barred unless commenced within three (3) years after the cause of action accrued.History of Section.P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 4; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 4.
RI Gen L § 28-14-19.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-19.3 - Protection from retaliation.

§ 28-14-19.3. Protection from retaliation.No employer, or any person acting on behalf of the employer, shall discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against an employee or any other person for asserting, supporting, reporting, or participating in or being asked to participate in the investigation or determination of claim violation or actionable under chapter 12 of this title and/or this chapter.Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section shall be entitled to relief as provided under chapter 50 of this title ("The Rhode Island Whistleblowers' Protection Act"), provided, that such action must be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued or shall be thereafter barred.History of Section.P.L. 2012, ch. 306, § 4; P.L. 2012, ch. 344, § 4.
RI Gen L § 28-14-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-20 - Filing of claims.

§ 28-14-20. Filing of claims.(a) All claims for wages may be filed with the director within three (3) years from the time of services rendered by an employee to his or her employer.(b) An aggrieved person who alleges a violation of any provision of this chapter may bring a civil action for appropriate injunctive relief or actual damages or both within three (3) years after the occurrence of the alleged violation of this chapter.(c) An action commenced pursuant to subsection (b) may be brought in the court for the county where the alleged violation occurred; the county where the complainant resides; or the county where the employer against whom the civil complaint is filed resides or has his, her or its principal place of business.(d) As used in subsection (b), damages include two (2) times the wages owed to the employee for the first offense.(e) Attorney's fees, including litigation expenses, may be granted to a prevailing plaintiff.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-20; P.L. 1990, ch. 488, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 425, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 435, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 436, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-14-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-21 - Acceptance of claims of nonresidents for collection.

§ 28-14-21. Acceptance of claims of nonresidents for collection.The labor relations board shall not accept for collection the unpaid wage claim of any nonresident of this state unless the state of which that nonresident is a citizen accepts for collection the unpaid wage claims of Rhode Island residents.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 3; P.L. 1942, ch. 1237, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-21.
RI Gen L § 28-14-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-22 - Duties of attorney general.

§ 28-14-22. Duties of attorney general.It shall be mandatory upon the attorney general of this state to prosecute all civil and criminal cases which shall be referred by the director to the attorney general. It shall be the duty of the attorney general to prosecute actions, both civil and criminal, for those violations of this chapter that come to his or her knowledge and to independently enforce the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-22; P.L. 1986, ch. 198, § 18.
RI Gen L § 28-14-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-23 - Assignment of wage claims to director - Prosecution of actions.

§ 28-14-23. Assignment of wage claims to director — Prosecution of actions.The director shall have the power and authority to:(1) Take assignments of wage claims and rights of action for penalties as provided by §§ 28-14-17 and 28-14-18 without being bound by any of the technical rules with reference to the validity of the assignments;(2) Prosecute actions for the collection of the claims of persons who, in the judgment of the director, have claims which are valid and enforceable in the courts; and(3) Join various claimants in one preferred claim or lien, and in case of suit to join them in one cause of action.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 9; P.L. 1955, ch. 3588, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-23.
RI Gen L § 28-14-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-24 - Set-off of money owed by employee to employer.

§ 28-14-24. Set-off of money owed by employee to employer.(a) In any action for unpaid wages brought under the provisions of this chapter, the employer-debtor shall not deduct as a set-off or counterclaim:(1) Any money allegedly due the employer as compensation for damages caused to the employer's property by the negligence of the employee;(2) Any money allegedly due the employer as rent; or(3) Any money allegedly owed to the employer by the employee;(b) Provided, that any employer granting his employee a loan or advance against future earnings or wages may deduct the loan as a set-off or counterclaim if evidenced by a statement in writing signed by the employee. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict in any way any rights which the employer now has to recover, by a separate legal action, any money owed the employer by the employee.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 9A; P.L. 1942, ch. 1237, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-24.
RI Gen L § 28-14-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-25 - Court costs.

§ 28-14-25. Court costs.In all actions brought by the director as assignee under § 28-14-23, no court costs of any nature shall be required to be advanced nor shall any bond or other security be required from the director in connection with the action.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-25.
RI Gen L § 28-14-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-26 - Service of process.

§ 28-14-26. Service of process.Any deputy sheriff requested by the director to serve summons, writs, complaints, orders, including any garnishment papers and all necessary and legal papers, shall do so without requiring the director to advance the fees or furnish any security or bond.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-26; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 56.
RI Gen L § 28-14-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-27 - Attachment of property.

§ 28-14-27. Attachment of property.Whenever the director requires a deputy sheriff whose duty it is to seize property or levy on property in any attachment proceedings to satisfy any wage claim judgment to perform any duty, the officer shall do so without requiring the director to furnish any security or bond in the action, and the officer in carrying out the provisions of this section shall not be responsible in damages for any wrongful seizure made in good faith.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-27; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 56.
RI Gen L § 28-14-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-28 - Garnishee's fees.

§ 28-14-28. Garnishee's fees.Any garnishee defendant shall be required to appear and make answer in any action, as required by law, without having paid to him or her in advance garnishee's fees, but garnishee's fees shall be included as part of the taxable costs of the action.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-28.
RI Gen L § 28-14-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-29 - Order of payment of fees and claims.

§ 28-14-29. Order of payment of fees and claims.Out of any recovery on a judgment in a suit there shall be paid:(1) First, the garnishee's and witness fees;(2) Second, the wage claims involved;(3) Third, the deputy sheriff's fees; and(4) Fourth, the court costs.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-29; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 56.
RI Gen L § 28-14-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-30 - Severability.

§ 28-14-30. Severability.If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by the invalidity.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1069, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 28-14-30.
RI Gen L § 28-14-31 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-14 - Payment of Wages|Section 28-14-31 - Wages upon return from lay-off.

§ 28-14-31. Wages upon return from lay-off.Whenever an employee who has worked for an employer for more than one year is separated from work by a "lay-off," the employer shall offer to pay to the employee the same wages earned at the time of the separation upon the employee's later return to work at the same or similar job.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 128, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-15-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-1 - "Assignment" defined.

§ 28-15-1. "Assignment" defined."Assignment," as used in this chapter, includes every instrument purporting to transfer an interest in or an authority to collect the future earnings of any person.History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-1.
RI Gen L § 28-15-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-2 - Maximum period of assignment - Form and contents.

§ 28-15-2. Maximum period of assignment — Form and contents.No assignment of future earnings or wages shall be valid:(1) For a period exceeding one year from the date of the assignment;(2) Unless made to secure a debt contracted prior to or simultaneously with the execution of the assignment;(3) Unless executed in writing in the standard form set forth in § 28-15-3 and signed by the assignor in person and not by attorney; and(4) Unless the assignment truly states the date of its execution, the money or the money value of goods actually furnished by the assignee and the rate of interest, if any, to be paid on it.History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-2.
RI Gen L § 28-15-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-3 - Standard form.

§ 28-15-3. Standard form.The standard form of assignment required by this chapter shall be as follows:Know All Men and Women by These Presents;  That I, __________ in county of __________ for a valuable consideration, to me paid by __________ of __________ the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby assign and transfer to said __________ all claims and demands (which I now have, and all) which within a period of ________ from the date hereof I may and shall have against my present employer and against any person whose employ I shall hereafter enter (for all sums of money due and) for all sums of money and demands which, at any time within said period, may and shall become due to me, for services as __________  To have and to hold the same to the said __________, his executors, administrators and assigns, to secure a debt (1)Of ______ dollars (with interest thereon from __________ at the rate of ____ percent per annum), for money (or goods) actually furnished by the assignee amounting to ______ dollars,  (2)Contracted prior to the execution of this assignment (or contracted simultaneously with the execution of this assignment).  In witness whereof I have set my hand this day of _________  Signed and delivered in presence of: _________ History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-3.
RI Gen L § 28-15-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-4 - Copy delivered to assignor.

§ 28-15-4. Copy delivered to assignor.No assignment of future earnings or wages shall be valid unless a copy of it is delivered to the assignor at the date of the execution of the assignment.History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-4.
RI Gen L § 28-15-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-5 - Recording of assignments.

§ 28-15-5. Recording of assignments.No assignment of future earnings or wages shall be valid, except as between the parties to the assignment, unless the assignment is recorded within five (5) days after it is signed by the assignor in a book to be kept for that purpose in the office of the recorder of deeds, if there is one, otherwise in the office of the clerk of the town or city in which the assignor resides, if a resident of this state, or in the town or city in which he or she is employed if not a resident of this state.History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-5.
RI Gen L § 28-15-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-15 - Assignment of Future Wages|Section 28-15-6 - Copy of assignment delivered to employer.

§ 28-15-6. Copy of assignment delivered to employer.No assignment of future earnings or wages shall be in any way binding upon the employer of the assignor until a copy of the assignment and account, which shall conform to the requirements stated in this section, has been delivered to the employer. The account shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the balance due and of the sums of money received by the assignee, together with the date of every payment, and a statement showing whether the payment is a charge for making or securing the loan or otherwise.History of Section.P.L. 1908, ch. 1551, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 260, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 304, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 292, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 28-15-6.