reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 23-71-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-71 - Tobacco Product Manufacturers' Escrow Funds|Section 23-71-1 - Legislative findings and purpose.

§ 23-71-1. Legislative findings and purpose.(a) Cigarette smoking presents serious public health concerns to the state and to the citizens of the state. The surgeon general has determined that smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases, and that there are hundreds of thousands of tobacco related deaths in the United States each year. These diseases most often do not appear until many years after the person in question begins smoking.(b) Cigarette smoking also presents serious financial concerns for the state. Under certain health care programs, the state may have a legal obligation to provide medical assistance to eligible persons for health conditions associated with cigarette smoking, and those persons may have a legal entitlement to receive the medical assistance.(c) Under these programs, the state pays millions of dollars each year to provide medical assistance for these persons for health conditions associated with cigarette smoking.(d) It is the policy of the state that financial burdens imposed on the state by cigarette smoking be borne by tobacco product manufacturers rather than by the state to the extent that those manufacturers either determine to enter into a settlement with the state or are found culpable by the courts.(e) On November 23, 1998, leading United States tobacco product manufacturers entered into a settlement agreement, entitled the "Master Settlement Agreement," with the state. The Master Settlement Agreement obligates these manufacturers, in return for a release of past, present, and certain future claims against them as described in the settlement agreement, to pay substantial sums to the state (tied in part to their volume of sales); to fund a national foundation devoted to the interests of public health; and to make substantial changes in their advertising and marketing practices and corporate culture, with the intention of reducing underage smoking.(f) It would be contrary to the policy of the state if tobacco product manufacturers who determine not to enter into a settlement could use a resulting cost advantage to derive large, short term profits in the years before liability may arise without ensuring that the state will have an eventual source of recovery from them if they are proven to have acted culpably. It is thus in the interest of the state to require that the manufacturers establish a reserve fund to guarantee a source of compensation and to prevent the manufacturers from deriving large, short term profits and then becoming judgment proof before liability may arise.History of Section.P.L. 1999, ch. 178, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-1 - Legislative findings.

§ 23-72-1. Legislative findings.The general assembly finds and declares:(1) Mercury from trash incinerators, coal fired power plants, municipal solid waste, hazardous waste sites, and other human made sources has been identified in virtually every body of water in New England, as well as the oceans.(2) Nearly all fish contain at least trace amounts of methyl mercury, which is formed by the action of bacteria on elemental mercury.(3) Many types of freshwater fish caught in Rhode Island and some saltwater fish sold in Rhode Island may be contaminated with mercury, a toxic element that causes neurological damage.(4) According to the US Food and Drug Administration, certain species of tuna, shark and swordfish can have mercury levels over 1.0 parts per million, the FDA limit for human consumption.(5) The FDA advises pregnant women of childbearing age to limit their consumption of shark and swordfish to no more than once a month. Other persons are advised to limit their consumption of shark and swordfish to no more than seven (7) ounces per week.(6) However, this health advisory information, which is necessary to protect public health, is not widely known nor widely disseminated by the state or federal government, potentially threatening many Rhode Island residents who may unknowingly ingest harmful amounts of mercury from fish.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-2 - Definitions.

§ 23-72-2. Definitions."Department" means the department of health.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-3 - Consumer mercury alert notice.

§ 23-72-3. Consumer mercury alert notice.(a) The department, in consultation with the department of environmental management, shall prepare a consumer's mercury alert notice that the department shall provide for free, to professional medical offices that provide gynecological, obstetrical or pediatric care and in the patient or client areas of all maternal and child health and nutrition programs, who shall post the notice in all patient areas.(b) The department shall establish a toll free telephone number service for interested persons to call for further information about the health advisories concerning the consumption of mercury in freshwater and saltwater fish.(c) The notice shall explain the danger to women who expect to become pregnant, women who are pregnant or breast feeding their children, and young children of eating mercury contaminated fish. The notice shall summarize most current mercury health advisories prepared by the state and the federal government concerning fish consumption, the toll free number, which may be called for further information, and shall contain such other information as the department deems appropriate. The notice shall be printed in large type in English, Spanish and other languages in which persons commonly doing business with such offices can understand. The department shall update the notice as necessary, and shall make additional copies of the notice available to health care providers upon request.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-4 - Mercury consumer's guide.

§ 23-72-4. Mercury consumer's guide.(a) The department of health shall prepare a consumer's guide to mercury and other health advisories. The department of health shall make copies available to the department of environmental management, division of fish and wildlife, at no charge, for distribution to private and public entities designated to issue fishing licenses.(b) The department shall update the consumer's guide as necessary, and shall make copies of the guide available to other members of the public upon request. The guide shall be printed in large type in English, Spanish and other languages used in the state. The guide shall also list the telephone number that consumers may call for further information about the health advisories.(c) The department of environmental management shall require that a copy of the consumer's guide be distributed to all applicants for a fishing license at the time the license is issued. The department of environmental management shall include on each fishing license issued in Rhode Island one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of this act [July 13, 2001] the telephone number established that residents may call for further information about the health advisories.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-5 - Penalties.

§ 23-72-5. Penalties.Whoever violates these sections inclusive or any order, rule or regulation promulgated or adopted thereto shall be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000). This section shall be enforced by the department and may be enforced by the board of health. The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce such rules and regulations and may restrain by injunction any violation thereof.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-72-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-72 - Mercury In Fish Products|Section 23-72-6 - Severability.

§ 23-72-6. Severability.If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, for any reason, be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this chapter or its application to other persons or circumstances.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-73-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-73 - Latex Gloves Safety Act|Section 23-73-1 - Findings.

§ 23-73-1. Findings.(a) The legislature finds that latex allergies are increasingly becoming a problem for people who are exposed to disposable nonsterile and sterile latex gloves, such as health care workers, patients, food service workers, manufacturers, hair dressers, child care workers, and children.(b) There are three (3) categories of latex allergies:(1) Irritant dermatitis;(2) Allergic contact dermatitis (delayed hypersensitivity); and(3) Immediate hypersensitivity latex allergy.(c) Reaction to latex may manifest through skin rashes, hives, itching, swollen skin, swollen lips and tongue, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, eyes or sinus symptoms, asthma and difficulty breathing, coughing spells, wheezing, and shock.(d) In 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued an alert concerning the danger of exposure to latex products and requested assistance preventing allergic reactions to natural rubber latex among workers who use gloves and other products containing latex.(e) On April 12, 1999, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor, issued the Technical Bulletin concerning the potential harm to workers from natural rubber latex gloves and other natural rubber products, such as gloves, airway masks, medication vial caps, anesthesia bags, catheters, intravenous supplies, dental dams, balloons, and other products.(f) Latex gloves are the major contributor for latex allergies.(g) The United States Food and Drug Administration requires medical devices containing latex to carry a warning about potential allergic reaction.(h) In 1995, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology concluded that the single greatest product causing adverse reaction to latex rubber are latex gloves.(i) The National Institute of Safety and Health concluded that latex allergies can be prevented if employers establish policies that protect workers and the public from unnecessary latex exposure.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 383, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-73-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-73 - Latex Gloves Safety Act|Section 23-73-2 - Use of latex gloves.

§ 23-73-2. Use of latex gloves.(a) The use of disposable, nonsterile and sterile natural rubber latex gloves shall be prohibited by any person, firm, or corporation, registered pursuant to §§ 21-27-10 and 21-27-11.(b) Any firm, business, or corporation, regulated by the state of Rhode Island which uses latex gloves shall post a notice informing employees and the public:(1) That natural rubber latex gloves are used by the regulated entity;(2) That exposure to latex may result in the development of an allergy;(3) That allergic reactions to natural rubber latex can manifest by skin rash, hives, nasal and eye irritation, asthma, and shock; and(4) That should you or your family experience allergic reaction symptoms, then you should contact your health care provider.(c) The notice shall include letters which are at least three-eighths (⅜) of an inch high and be posted in conspicuous areas throughout the firm, business or corporation.(d) The notice shall be posted in English, Spanish, and other languages served by the business, corporation, entity, or facility.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 383, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-73-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-73 - Latex Gloves Safety Act|Section 23-73-3 - Rules and regulations.

§ 23-73-3. Rules and regulations.(a) Health care workers shall be provided with initial and periodic education pertaining to latex safety.(b) Health care facilities shall ensure that direct care workers are represented on latex allergy or safety committees.(c) Any state agency which has regulatory authority for persons, firms, or corporations in which natural rubber latex gloves are used shall promulgate rules and regulations:(1) To warn employees of potential risk of latex allergies;(2) To warn the public of potential risk of latex allergies;(3) To minimize exposure consistent with maintaining safety in regulated industries whose workers are exposed to blood borne pathogens.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 383, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-73-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-73 - Latex Gloves Safety Act|Section 23-73-4 - Enforcement.

§ 23-73-4. Enforcement.It shall be the duty of the director of the department of health to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to prosecute all persons who violate this chapter. In all such enforcements and prosecutions, the director shall not be required to enter into any recognizance or give surety for costs.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 383, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-73-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-73 - Latex Gloves Safety Act|Section 23-73-5 - Penalty.

§ 23-73-5. Penalty.Any person, firm, or corporation, which is regulated by Rhode Island general laws, which violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500), and may be subject to any and all penalties provided for in Rhode Island general laws which regulate the violator's industry, including revocation of licenses.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 383, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-2 - Maltreatment of minors prohibited.

§ 23-74-2. Maltreatment of minors prohibited.Nothing in this chapter shall restrict the ability of a local law enforcement agency or the director of the department of children, youth and families to take action regarding the maltreatment of minors. A parent who obtains unlicensed health care for the parent's minor child is not relieved of the duty to seek necessary medical care consistent with the requirements of the general laws. A complementary or alternative health care practitioner who is providing services to a child shall be subject to the reporting provisions of chapter 11 of title 40, entitled "Abused and Neglected Children."History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-3 - Professional accountability.

§ 23-74-3. Professional accountability.The department shall maintain and keep current a file containing the reports and complaints filed against unlicensed health care practitioners within the director's jurisdiction. Each complaint filed with the department must be investigated.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-5 - Less customary approach.

§ 23-74-5. Less customary approach.The fact that a health care practice may be a less customary approach to health care shall not constitute the basis of a disciplinary action per se.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-6 - Evidence in actions.

§ 23-74-6. Evidence in actions.In any disciplinary action alleging a professional violation of the provisions of this chapter, a copy of the judgment or proceeding under the seal of the court administrator or clerk of the administrative agency that entered the judgment or proceeding is admissible into evidence without further authentication and constitutes prima facie evidence of its contents.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-7 - Examination access of medical data.

§ 23-74-7. Examination access of medical data.The director may require an unlicensed practitioner to undergo a physical or psychiatric examination by a physician acceptable to the director from a list provided to the practitioner if probable cause exists to believe that allegations of misconduct against him or her are caused by an impairment which has directly affected his or her ability to conduct his or her practice professionally. In such circumstances, the director shall also be entitled to obtain confidential health care information of the practitioner without the practitioner's consent. The director may not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of this section, nor subject qualified individuals with disabilities to any discrimination on the basis of a disability. All decisions of the director shall be based on the allegation of unprofessional conduct and not due to probable cause of the conduct being related to the disability of the practitioner. An unlicensed health care practitioner affected under this section shall at reasonable intervals be given an opportunity to demonstrate that the practitioner can resume the provision of health care practices with reasonable safety to clients. In any proceeding under this section, neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the director shall be used against an unlicensed health care practitioner in any other proceeding.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-8 - Disciplinary actions.

§ 23-74-8. Disciplinary actions.Forms of disciplinary action. When the director finds that an unlicensed health care practitioner has violated any provision of this chapter, the director may take one or more of the following actions, only against the individual practitioner:(1) Revoke the right to practice;(2) Suspend the right to practice;(3) Impose limitations or conditions on the practitioner's provision of unlicensed health care practices, impose rehabilitation requirements, or require practice under supervision;(4) Assess against the practitioner the administrative costs of the proceedings instituted against him or her under this chapter; provided, that this assessment does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000);(5) Censure or reprimand the practitioner;(6) Any other action justified by the case.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-9 - Discovery - Subpoenas.

§ 23-74-9. Discovery — Subpoenas.In all matters relating to the lawful activities of the department, the director may issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all necessary papers, books, records, documents, and other evidentiary material. Any person failing or refusing to appear or testify regarding any matter about which the person may be lawfully questioned or failing to produce any papers, books, records, documents or other evidentiary materials in the matter to be heard, after having been required by order of the director or by a subpoena of the director to do so may, upon application to the district court in any district, be ordered to comply with the order or subpoena. The director may administer oaths to witnesses or take their affirmation. Depositions may be taken within or without the state in the manner provided by law for the taking of depositions in civil actions. A subpoena or other process may be served upon a person it names anywhere within the state by any officer authorized to serve subpoenas or other process in civil actions in the same manner as prescribed by law for service of process issued out of the district court of this state.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-74-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-74 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices|Section 23-74-10 - Hearings.

§ 23-74-10. Hearings.(a) If the director proposes to take action against the practitioner as described in this chapter and pursuant to § 23-1-22, the director must first notify the practitioner against whom the action is proposed to be taken and provide the practitioner with an opportunity to request a hearing. If the practitioner does not request a hearing by notifying the director within thirty (30) days after service of the notice of the proposed action, the director may proceed with the action without a hearing. If a hearing is requested, a hearing shall be scheduled by the director as soon as is practicable. The director shall, issue a notice of a hearing of the charges, which shall specify the time and place of the hearing and notify the accused that he or she may file with the director 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 any documentary evidence that may be produced against him or her and to have subpoenas issued by the director.(b) The director may at the director's discretion reinstate the right to practice and may impose any disciplinary measure listed under this chapter. Provided, the time limits set forth in this chapter shall control over any inconsistent or contrary provisions in § 23-1-22.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 133, § 1.