reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 40-6-8.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-8.1 - Prohibited uses of electronic benefit transfer cards.

§ 40-6-8.1. Prohibited uses of electronic benefit transfer cards.(a) The department shall adopt rules prohibiting purchases with cash assistance funds held on electronic benefit transfer cards in venues as described in this section.(b) The department is hereby empowered, and shall maintain policies and practices as necessary, to prohibit cash assistance provided under this chapter from being used in any electronic benefit transfer transaction at:(1) Liquor stores (holding solely a retailers class A license);(2) Casinos or at facilities that conduct casino gaming as defined in chapter 61.2 of title 42;(3) Gambling facilities as defined by chapter 9 of title 41;(4) Retail establishments that provide adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment as defined in the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 608(a).(c) Eligible recipients of direct-cash assistance, who use cash assistance funds held on electronic benefit transfer cards in such establishments, shall, for a first offense, have their cash assistance reduced for one month by the portion of the family's benefit attributable to one parent, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the department; for a second offense, have their cash assistance reduced for three (3) months by the portion of the family's benefit attributable to one parent, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the department; and for a third offense, shall be disqualified from the direct-cash assistance program for a period of one year.(d) A store owner who commits fraud against the department of human services by violating § 11-41-34, and who also possesses a license to sell alcoholic beverages under chapter 7 of title 3, shall be referred to the appropriate licensing authority for possible disciplinary action pursuant to title 3.(e) A store owner who commits fraud against the department of human services by violating § 11-41-34, and who also possesses a license to sell lottery tickets under chapter 61 of title 42, shall be referred to the director of the state lottery for possible disciplinary action.History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 377, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 499, § 1.
RI Gen L § 40-6-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-11 - Report of income by recipients.

§ 40-6-11. Report of income by recipients.If at any time during the continuance of public assistance pursuant to this chapter and/or chapter 8 of this title, the recipient thereof becomes possessed of income or resources in excess of the amount previously reported by him or her, it shall be his or her duty, and a condition of eligibility, to notify the department providing assistance of this fact immediately on the receipt or possession of additional income or resources.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-12 - Records as to assistance.

§ 40-6-12. Records as to assistance.(a) All records pertaining to the administration of public assistance pursuant to this chapter and chapter 8 of this title are hereby declared to constitute confidential matter. It shall be unlawful for any person to make use of, or cause to be used, any information contained in records for purposes not directly connected with the administration thereof, except with the consent of the individual concerned.(b) The director of the department shall have the power to establish rules and regulations governing the custody, use, and preservation of the records, papers, files, and communications dealing with the administration of public assistance. The rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as law. The records shall be produced in response to subpoena duces tecum properly issued by any federal or state court; provided, however, that the purpose for which the subpoena is sought is directly connected with the administration of public assistance. No subpoena shall be issued by a court asking either for the records, or for persons having custody or access to the records, unless the litigation involved in such matters is directly connected with the administration of public assistance.(c) Any person, who by law is entitled to a list of individuals receiving any of the assistance as provided in this section, shall not publish, or cause to be published, the list except by the express consent of the director of the department, or to make use thereof for purposes not directly connected with the administration thereof. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section, or the lawful rules and regulations made pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200) or shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.(d) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the director of the department, or his or her agents duly authorized for that purpose, from issuing any statistical material or data, or publishing, or causing the data to be published, whenever he or she shall deem it to be in the public interest. The director of the department may inquire into the records of any state department or agency in the course of his or her administration of public assistance.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 127; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 17.
RI Gen L § 40-6-12.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-12.1 - Warrants - Release of information.

§ 40-6-12.1. Warrants — Release of information.(a) The department of human services shall provide to the statewide warrant squad the current address of any individual if all of the following conditions are met:(1) There is an outstanding arrest warrant or body attachment issued by a state court in Rhode Island for the individual; and(2) The individual is a fugitive felon as defined by the department in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 608(a)(9); and(3) The individual is receiving general public assistance, or cash assistance under chapter 5.1 of this title either for himself or herself or his or her dependents; and(4) The law enforcement officer seeking the information certifies in writing that an attempt by the warrant squad to locate and apprehend that individual has been unsuccessful; and(5) The warrant squad provides the department the name, date of birth, and social security number of the individual.(b) If all the above conditions are met, the department shall release the address upon the request and certification of the officer, and a release pursuant to this section shall not constitute a violation of §§ 40-6-12, 40-5.1-31 [repealed], or 38-2-2(4).History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 300, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 129, § 21; P.L. 1996, ch. 131, § 21; P.L. 1996, ch. 132, § 21; P.L. 1996, ch. 133, § 21.
RI Gen L § 40-6-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-13 - Appeals - Hearings.

§ 40-6-13. Appeals — Hearings.(a) Any applicant or recipient aggrieved because of a decision by the department or delay in making a decision shall be entitled to an appeal and shall be afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. Hearings with respect to public assistance shall be conducted by the department.(b) With respect to general public assistance benefits, advance notice of the department's intended action to deny, terminate, reduce, or suspend benefits shall be in writing and mailed to an applicant or recipient at his or her last known or designated address at least ten (10) day(s) prior to the effective date of its intended action; the recipient shall be afforded an administrative hearing to contest the department's intended action; provided, that the applicant or recipient makes a written request for a hearing and provided that the written request is received by the department within ten (10) days of the mailing date of the department's notice to the applicant or recipient; and provided further, that the department shall continue payment of general public-assistance benefits, pending a hearing, to a recipient who includes a written request for continuation of benefits in or with the recipient's timely filed written request for a hearing in accordance with this subsection.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 25, § 1.
RI Gen L § 40-6-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-14 - Assistance not assignable - Exemption from process.

§ 40-6-14. Assistance not assignable — Exemption from process.Public assistance provided under this chapter shall not be transferable or assignable, at law or in equity, and none of the money paid or payable under this chapter shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 46, § 1.
RI Gen L § 40-6-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-15 - Fraudulently obtaining assistance.

§ 40-6-15. Fraudulently obtaining assistance.Any person who by any fraudulent device obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, public assistance, pursuant to this chapter, to which he or she is not entitled, or who willfully fails to report income or resources as provided in this chapter, shall be guilty of larceny and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than five (5) years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both, if the value of the public assistance to which he or she is not entitled shall exceed five hundred dollars ($500); or by imprisonment by less than one year or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by both, if the value of the public assistance to which he or she is not entitled shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-16 - Fraudulent use of food stamps.

§ 40-6-16. Fraudulent use of food stamps.(a) Any person who by any fraudulent device obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, food stamps issued pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq., shall be guilty of larceny, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than five (5) years or by fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both, if the value of the food stamps to which one is not entitled shall exceed five hundred dollars ($500); or by imprisonment by less than one year or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both, if the value of the food stamps to which one is not entitled, shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).(b) Upon conviction of the felony or misdemeanor, the individual shall be ineligible to participate in the food stamp program for not less than six (6) and not more than twenty-four (24) months, as determined by the court; provided, that the disqualification applies only to the individual so convicted and does not render the entire household ineligible for the program.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 17.
RI Gen L § 40-6-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-17 - Receipt and use of federal funds.

§ 40-6-17. Receipt and use of federal funds.The state shall have authority to receive and expend through the department any funds that may become available from the federal government for public assistance purposes. The department, with the approval of the governor, shall have authority to meet federal requirements with respect to the administration of funds as may be set forth as conditions precedent to receiving the federal funds.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-18 - Agreements with other states.

§ 40-6-18. Agreements with other states.The department shall have the authority to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states and territories of the United States providing for the payment of assistance to former residents of this state residing in other states.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-19 - Complainant in actions to invoke penalties.

§ 40-6-19. Complainant in actions to invoke penalties.The director of the department, or any person designated by him or her, may be the party complainant to any complaint and warrant brought to invoke the penalties provided for in this chapter, and the party complainant shall be exempt from giving surety for costs in any action.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-20 - Prosecution of criminal actions.

§ 40-6-20. Prosecution of criminal actions.All criminal actions for any violation of this chapter, or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter pertaining to the department, shall be prosecuted by the attorney general or by any qualified member of the Rhode Island bar who shall be designated by the director and approved by the attorney general to institute and prosecute such actions.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-21 - Child support - Income tax refund offset.

§ 40-6-21. Child support — Income tax refund offset.The department is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the federal and state programs for offset and collection of past-due child and spousal support from income tax refunds, as authorized by Sections 6305(b) and 6402(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. §§ 6305(b) and 6402(c), and implementing regulations, and as authorized by chapter 30.1 of title 44. The rules and regulations shall provide the child support obligor with an opportunity for an administrative hearing to contest the offset.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-21.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-21.1 - Voluntary acknowledgement of paternity - Hospital-based program.

§ 40-6-21.1. Voluntary acknowledgement of paternity — Hospital-based program.(a) The department of human services is authorized and directed to establish, in accordance with the requirements of Title IV-D, § 466(a)(5) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(5), a hospital-based program for the voluntary acknowledgement of paternity during the period immediately preceding or following the birth of a child. The department of human services shall require all public and private birthing hospitals in this state, as defined herein, to participate in the hospital-based paternity acknowledgement program and to provide the services, materials, and reports as may be required by federal law and regulations. The program must be operational in hospitals no later than January 1, 1995. The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the hospital-based program and to enter into cooperative agreements with other state agencies to effectuate the program.(b) The requirement for participation in the program by hospitals is in addition to the birth-registration requirements under chapter 3 of title 23; provided, however, that the department of human services shall work in cooperation with the department of health, registrar of vital records, to avoid duplication of obligations imposed on hospitals to the extent permitted by federal law and regulations.(c) The term "birthing hospital" means a hospital that has a licensed obstetric care unit or is licensed to provide obstetric services, or a licensed birthing center associated with a hospital. A birthing center is a facility outside a hospital that provides maternity services.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 236, § 3.
RI Gen L § 40-6-21.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-21.2 - Child medical support garnishment - State income tax offset.

§ 40-6-21.2. Child medical support garnishment — State income tax offset.(a) The department of human services may garnish the wages, salary, or other income of, and withhold amounts from state income tax refunds due to, any person who:(1) Is required by court or administrative order to provide coverage of the cost of health services to a child eligible for medical assistance under chapter 8 of this title and Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.; and(2) Has received payment from a third party for the costs of the services but has not used the payments to reimburse either the other parent or guardian of the child or the provider of the services, to the extent necessary to reimburse the department of human services for its costs, but claims for current and past-due child support shall take priority over these claims.(b) Garnishment proceedings may be commenced and enforced in the family court under chapters 5, 8, 9, 11 [repealed], 13, 15, and 16 of title 15.(c) Withholding from state income tax refunds shall be enforced in accordance with chapter 30.1 of title 44.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 237, § 3.
RI Gen L § 40-6-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-22 - Disclosure of information - Penalty.

§ 40-6-22. Disclosure of information — Penalty.(a) For purposes of this section, a "financial institution" means a bank, savings bank, national bank, trust company, building and loan association, loan and investment company, credit union, safe deposit company, any person or corporation registered to sell securities under the provisions of chapter 11 of title 7, or federal savings and loan institution authorized to do business under the laws of this state.(b) A financial institution, upon written request or upon request made by computer file on magnetic tape, signed or submitted by an authorized employee of the department of human services, shall inform the department of the amount deposited in the financial institution to the credit of a person named in, or otherwise identified in, the request as an applicant for, or recipient of, public assistance under this chapter or chapter 8 of this title. Upon the request, the financial institution shall provide the requested deposit information, in writing or by computer file on magnetic tape, to the department of human services within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the request. The department shall not submit its information request by computer file on magnetic tape to a financial institution that does not maintain deposit information on computer files, and the financial institution shall not be required to provide deposit information by computer file on magnetic tape.(c) A financial institution shall be subject to a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for each willful failure to provide the department with the requested information. The department may recover the penalty by civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction.(d) The department of human services may disclose information obtained pursuant to this section to an agency or department of another state administering a public assistance program, provided that the department of human services has executed a reciprocal agreement with the agency or department for the reciprocal disclosure of deposit information.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-23 - Release of wage and earnings information.

§ 40-6-23. Release of wage and earnings information.(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, every employer or payor of earnings shall make available to the department, upon written request by the department, any wage or earnings information in its possession, regarding an employee, former employee, or person providing goods or services who is a recipient, an applicant, or former recipient for assistance under the provisions of this chapter.(b) Any employer or payor who refuses to make available wage or earnings information shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-24 - Recipient not deemed pauper.

§ 40-6-24. Recipient not deemed pauper.No person receiving assistance under this chapter shall be deemed a pauper for purposes of chapter 5 of this title by reason thereof.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-25 - Rules and regulations.

§ 40-6-25. Rules and regulations.The department is authorized to prescribe forms and promulgate rules and regulations that it deems necessary in order to effectuate the intent and provisions of this chapter. Furthermore, it is the legislative intent of the general assembly that the authority granted in this chapter to the department to promulgate rules and regulations, with respect to eligibility for assistance, amount, and standards of assistance and administration of programs, be liberally construed.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
RI Gen L § 40-6-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 40 - Human Services|Chapter 40-6 - Public Assistance Act|Section 40-6-26 - Severability.

§ 40-6-26. Severability.If any provision in any section of this chapter, or the application thereof, to any person or circumstances is held invalid, its invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter that 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. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.