reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-4 - Powers and duties of the board of examiners in dentistry.

§ 5-31.1-4. Powers and duties of the board of examiners in dentistry.The board of examiners in dentistry has the following duties and powers:(1) To adopt, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations, with the approval of the director of the department of health, that it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter;(2) To investigate all complaints and charges of unprofessional conduct against any licensed dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant and to hold hearings to determine whether those charges are substantiated or unsubstantiated;(3) To direct the director of the department of health to license qualified applicants for licensure;(4) To appoint one or more dentists or dental hygienists or certified dental assistant to act for the members of the board in investigating the conduct or competence of any licensed dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant;(5) To direct the director to revoke, suspend, or impose other disciplinary action as to persons licensed or registered under this chapter;(6) (i) To issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any investigations, hearing, or disciplinary proceedings held under the authority of this chapter;(ii) All subpoenas issued pursuant to this section shall only be issued by a vote of either the investigative committee or the full board of examiners in dentistry:(A) All subpoenas issued by the board or the investigative committee shall be served by a disinterested party or by a constable authorized by the courts to serve process;(B) Subpoenas issued by either the investigative committee or the full board of examiners in dentistry shall have a reasonable return date that will allow the recipient an opportunity to review the subpoena, consult with counsel, and prepare a response to the subpoena; and(C) All subpoenas shall be in compliance with the Rhode Island healthcare confidentiality act.(D) In the absence of a properly executed patient consent, subpoena requests shall only be made by request of the board to a court of competent jurisdiction that may issue a court order compelling production of confidential healthcare information of a patient;(7) To take or cause depositions to be taken as needed in any investigation, hearing, or proceeding;(8) To summon and examine witnesses during any investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by the board; and(9) To adopt and publish, with the prior approval of the director, rules of procedure and other regulations in accordance with the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 483, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-5 - Power of the director.

§ 5-31.1-5. Power of the director.The director has the following duties and powers:(1) With the prior approval of the governor, the director shall appoint a dental administrator who administers and supervises the investigatory and other activities of the board. The dental administrator shall be selected from a list of not less than three (3) names compiled and submitted to the governor by a search committee. The search committee shall consist of four (4) individuals, one being the director or his or her designee, one public member appointed by the board, one appointed by the governor, and one dental member appointed by the board. To be included on the list of potential appointees, an individual must have unanimous approval of the members of the search committee. The dental administrator shall report to the director of the department of health and to the board who shall establish the further duties of the dental administrator;(2) With the prior approval of the governor, to appoint legal counsel and any assistant legal counsel that is required;(3) In consultation with the board, to make contracts and arrangements for the performance of administrative and similar services required, or appropriate, or necessary to effectuate the provisions of this chapter;(4) In consultation with the board, to hire any professional and clerical staff that is necessary to carry out the functions of the board;(5) To issue, pursuant to any rules and regulations promulgated by the board and approved by the director, all licenses and registrations required by this chapter to qualified applicants;(6) To deny licenses and registrations, to revoke, suspend, or discipline licensees in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and(7) To exercise all other powers specifically conferred upon him or her by virtue of the provisions of this chapter or other applicable sections.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-6.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-6.1 - Dental hygienists and dental assistants.

§ 5-31.1-6.1. Dental hygienists and dental assistants.Dentists licensed pursuant to § 5-31.1-6 may supervise and delegate to any dental hygienist licensed pursuant to § 5-31.1-6, working under the dentist's general supervision and who is employed on a regular basis by such dentists, any procedures that he or she may deem advisable; including initial oral-health-screening assessments and other procedures specified under section 13 (or any comparable or successor section) of the rules and regulations pertaining to dentists and dental hygienists promulgated from time to time by the department of health, and any such dental hygienists may engage in the practice of dental hygiene under the responsibility of the supervising dentists outside of the dentists' office in order to render to residents of nursing facilities licensed pursuant to chapter 17 of title 23, whether or not such residents are patients of record of the supervising dentist, without the on-site direct supervision of a dentist licensed pursuant to § 5-31.1-6, those dental services, procedures, and duties that he or she has been educated to perform and that are authorized by the board of examiners in dentistry. Dental hygienists working under general supervision in nursing facilities shall provide documentation of initial oral health screening assessments to the supervising dentist and to the licensed nursing facility for appropriate follow-up assessment and treatment, as needed.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 292, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 475, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 448, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-7 - Recertification - Continuing dental education.

§ 5-31.1-7. Recertification — Continuing dental education.(a) Effective beginning in the calendar year 2006, every dentist, dental hygienist, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant licensed to practice within this state, on or before the first day of May in each even numbered year, shall apply to the Rhode Island board of examiners in dentistry for a biennial license with the board. The applicant shall include satisfactory evidence to the board of examiners in dentistry that, in the preceding two years, the practitioner has completed a prescribed course of continuing dental or dental hygiene education established by the appropriate dental or dental hygiene association and approved by rule or regulation of the director or by the board of examiners in dentistry. If the applicant submits satisfactory evidence to the board that he or she has completed a prescribed course of continuing dental education, dental hygiene, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting education and has complied with the provisions of § 5-31.1-6, the board shall issue the applicant a license registration for a two-year (2) period commencing on July 1. The board may extend for only one six-month (6) period those educational requirements if the board is satisfied that the applicant has suffered hardship that prevented meeting the educational requirement. No license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state shall be refused, nor any license suspended or revoked, except as:(1) Provided for in this chapter; and(2) For failure to provide satisfactory evidence of continuing dental, dental hygiene, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting education as provided for in this section.(b) Licensees shall apply for recertification by submitting evidence of continuing dental, dental hygiene, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting education on a biennial basis. Application for biennial registration shall continue as provided in this section and § 5-31.1-21.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 483, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 219, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 232, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-8 - Refusal of licensure.

§ 5-31.1-8. Refusal of licensure.(a) The director, upon recommendation from the board, after notice and hearing in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this chapter, shall refuse to grant the original license provided for in this chapter to any dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, and/or applicant who is not of good moral character; who does not meet the requirements for licensure prescribed in this chapter and regulations established by the board or director; who has violated any law affecting the ability of any dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, and/or applicant to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting; or who has been found guilty in another state of conduct that if committed in Rhode Island, would constitute unprofessional conduct as defined in § 5-31.1-10 and regulations adopted under this chapter.(b) The director shall serve a copy of his or her decision or ruling upon any person whose original certificate has been refused.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 400, § 8, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 401, § 8, effective July 13, 2021.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-9 - Immunity from suit.

§ 5-31.1-9. Immunity from suit.(a) The director of the department of health, dental administrator, board members, their agents or their employees are immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based upon any disciplinary proceeding or other official act performed in good faith in the course of their duties under this chapter. There is no civil liability on the part of, or cause of action of any nature against, the board, director, dental administrator, their agents, or their employees or against any organization or its members, peer-review board or its members, or other witnesses and parties to board proceedings for any statements made by them in any reports, communications, or testimony concerning an investigation of the conduct or competence of a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or limited registrant.(b) No licensed healthcare provider, dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant shall discharge, threaten, or discriminate against an employee, staff member, or any other person for making a report to, giving testimony to, or providing any other communication to the board of examiners in dentistry, a peer-review organization, or any appropriate supervisory personnel concerning the unprofessional conduct or incompetence or negligence of a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant; provided, that the report, testimony, or other communication was made in good faith.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-12 - Specification of charges.

§ 5-31.1-12. Specification of charges.When the board determines, based on the report of the investigating committee, that action is required, or the accused requests a hearing on allegations of unprofessional conduct, a specification of charges of unprofessional conduct against the licensee or limited-registration holder shall be prepared by the investigating committee and a copy served upon the accused, together with notice of the hearing, as provided in § 5-31.1-13. A hearing on the charges will then be scheduled for a hearing before the hearing committee of the board.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-13 - Time and notice of hearing.

§ 5-31.1-13. Time and notice of hearing.The time of the hearing shall be fixed by the hearing committee of the board as soon as is practical. The hearing committee of the board shall issue a notice of a hearing of the charges, which notice shall specify the time and place of the hearing and shall notify the accused that he or she may file with the hearing committee of the board a written response within twenty (20) days of the date of service. The notice shall also notify the accused that a stenographic record of the proceedings will be kept; that he or she will have the opportunity to appear personally and to have counsel present, with the right to produce witnesses and evidence in his or her own behalf; to cross-examine witnesses; to examine documentary evidence that may be produced against him or her; and to have subpoenas issued by the hearing committee of the board.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-14 - Subpoenas - Contempt.

§ 5-31.1-14. Subpoenas — Contempt.Subpoenas may be issued by the board or the board's constituted committees to compel the production of documents or other written records or the attendance and testimony of witnesses at any investigation or hearing. The board shall also issue subpoenas at the request and on behalf of the accused. In the event that any person refuses to obey a subpoena or answer any proper question put to him or her during the hearing or proceeding, the superior court has jurisdiction, upon application by the board, to issue to that person an order requiring him or her to appear before the board or its hearing committee; to produce evidence there if ordered; or there to give testimony concerning the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey that order of the court may be punished by the court as civil contempt.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-15 - Report of hearing.

§ 5-31.1-15. Report of hearing.After holding a hearing, the hearing committee of the board shall make a written report of its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and disciplinary order, if any.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-16 - Decision of the board.

§ 5-31.1-16. Decision of the board.If a majority of the members of the board, sitting as the hearing committee, vote in favor of finding the accused guilty of unprofessional conduct as specified in the charges, the board shall prepare written findings of fact and law in support of its conclusion. The board shall immediately transmit its findings, together with an order as to the sanction to be imposed upon the accused, to the director who, as soon as practicable, shall order appropriate action be taken in accordance with the order of the board. If the accused is found not guilty, the board shall immediately issue an order dismissing the charges.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-17 - Sanctions.

§ 5-31.1-17. Sanctions.If the accused is found guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined in § 5-31.1-10, the director, at the direction of the board, shall impose one or more of the following conditions:(1) Administer a reprimand;(2) Suspend, limit, or restrict his or her license or limited registration to practice dentistry or license to practice dental hygiene or license to practice DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting;(3) Require him or her to serve a period of probation subject to certain conditions and requirements including, where appropriate, sanctions or restitution;(4) Revoke, indefinitely, his or her license or limited registration to practice dentistry or license to practice dental hygiene or license to practice DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting;(5) Require him or her to submit to the care, counseling, or treatment of a physician or program acceptable to the board;(6) Require him or her to participate in a program of continuing dental, dental hygiene, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting education in the area or areas in which he or she has been judged deficient;(7) Require him or her to practice under the direction of a dentist in a public institution, public or private healthcare program, or private practice for a period of time specified by the board;(8) Assess against the dentist, dental hygienist, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant the administrative costs of the proceedings instituted against the dentist, dental hygienist, or DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting under this chapter; provided, that the assessment does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); or(9) Any other condition, conditions, or restrictions deemed appropriate under the circumstances.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-18 - Appeal from the decision of the director of the department of health.

§ 5-31.1-18. Appeal from the decision of the director of the department of health.(a) Any person whose license or limited registration to practice dentistry or license to practice dental hygiene or license to practice DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting has been revoked or suspended by the board and/or director or is aggrieved by the decision of the board and/or director shall have the right of judicial review of the board's and director's decision. That review is initiated by serving on the director a notice of appeal and filing this notice of appeal with a complaint in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure in the superior court within thirty (30) days after the decision of the director.(b) The director shall, within twenty (20) days after the service of the notice of appeal, transmit to the clerk of the superior court to which the appeal is taken a transcript of the record of the board, certified under the seal of the board, together with a certified copy of the board's written findings, all of which is admissible as evidence.(c) The findings of the board and/or director are final and conclusive, subject to review in the superior court pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. Any appeal taken to the superior court has precedence on the calendar, is considered an emergency matter and, when practicable, shall be heard in any event not later than thirty (30) days from the date of appeal. There is no stay pending this appeal of any sanction imposed by the director unless it is determined that the matter cannot be placed on the court's docket within the specified time. Except as provided in this chapter, appeals follow the procedures set forth in the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 5-31.1-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 5 - Businesses and Professions|Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists|Section 5-31.1-19 - Grounds for discipline without hearing.

§ 5-31.1-19. Grounds for discipline without hearing.The director may, temporarily, suspend the license of a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant without a hearing if the director finds that evidence in his or her possession indicates that a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant continuing in practice would constitute an immediate danger to the public. In the event that the director temporarily suspends the license of a dentist, dental hygienist, DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant, or limited registrant without a hearing, a hearing by the board must be held within ten (10) days after the suspension has occurred.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.