reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-1. - Short title.

§ 28-9.7-1. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “Correctional Officers Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-2. - Statement of policy.

§ 28-9.7-2. Statement of policy.
(a)
The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that the full-time correctional officers of the state of Rhode Island not be accorded the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. This necessary prohibition does not, however, require the denial to such state employees of other well recognized rights of labor, such as the right to organize, to be represented by an organization of their choice, and the right to bargain collectively concerning wages, rates of pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
(b)
It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to accord to the full-time correctional officers of the state all of the rights of labor other than the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. To provide for the exercise of these rights, a method of arbitration of disputes is hereby established.
(c)
The establishment of this method of arbitration shall not, however, in any way whatsoever, be deemed to be recognized by the state of compulsory arbitration as a superior method of settling labor disputes between employees who possess the right to strike and their employers, but rather shall be deemed to be a recognition solely of the necessity to provide some alternative mode of settling disputes where employees must as a matter of public policy be denied the usual right to strike.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 234, art. 1, § 9, effective December 31, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-3. - Definitions.

§ 28-9.7-3. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall, unless the context requires a different interpretation have the following meanings:
(1)
“Correctional officers” shall mean the full-time correctional officers of the state of Rhode Island.
(2)
“State authorities” shall mean the proper officials of the state whose duty or duties it is to establish the wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment of correctional officers.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-4. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.7-4. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
The correctional officers shall have the right to bargain collectively with the state of Rhode Island and to be represented by an organization in the collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-5. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.7-5. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The organization selected by the majority of the correctional officers shall be recognized by the state as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the correctional officers unless and until recognition of the organization is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the correctional officers. The labor organization or state may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain on its behalf; provided, however, that the person or persons so designated shall be given authority to enter into and conclude an effective and binding collective bargaining agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-6. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.7-6. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the state, acting through state authorities, to meet and confer in good faith with the designated representative or representatives of the bargaining agent, including any legal counsel selected by the bargaining agent, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective bargaining purposes. This obligation shall include the duty to cause any agreement resulting from the negotiations to be reduced to a written contract, provided that no contract shall exceed the term of three (3) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-7. - Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

§ 28-9.7-7. Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.
In the event that the bargaining agent and the state authorities are unable within thirty (30) days from and including the date of their first meeting to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to arbitration. The parties may agree in writing to extend the thirty-day (30) period.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 148, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-8. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.7-8. Arbitration board — Composition.
Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.7-7, unless the parties mutually agree to extend the time to select their arbitrator, the bargaining agent and the state authorities shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators so selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five-day (5) period above, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If, on the expiration of the period allowed therefor, the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court shall select a resident of Rhode Island or a person whose place of business or principal place of employment is in Rhode Island as the third arbitrator upon request in writing from either the bargaining agent or the state authorities. The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) arbitrators previously selected or selected by the chief justice, shall act as chair of the arbitration board.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-9. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.7-9. Hearings.
(a)
The arbitration board shall, acting through its chair, call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the date of appointment of the chairperson, and shall, acting through its chairperson, give at least seven (7) days’ notice in writing to each of the other two (2) arbitrators, the bargaining agent, and the state authorities of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence. The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination.
(b)
The hearing conducted by the arbitrators shall be concluded within twenty (20) days of the time of commencement, and within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearings, the arbitrators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the bargaining agent or its attorney or otherwise delegated representative and to the state authorities. A majority decision of the arbitrators shall be binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-10. - Factors to be considered by arbitration board.

§ 28-9.7-10. Factors to be considered by arbitration board.
The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the correctional officers and the state. The factors among others to be given weight by the arbitrators in arriving at a decision shall include:
(1)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the correctional officers with prevailing wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of skilled employees of the building trades and industry in the state;
(2)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the correctional officers with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of correctional officers in other states;
(3)
Interest and welfare of the public;
(4)
Comparison of peculiarities of employment in regard to other trades or professions, specifically:
(i)
Hazards of employment;
(ii)
Physical qualifications;
(iii)
Educational qualifications;
(iv)
Mental qualifications; and
(v)
Job training and skills;
(5)
Consideration of state’s ability to pay.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-11. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.7-11. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the bargaining agent and the state. Notwithstanding any other remedies which a court-appointed arbitrator appointed by the chief justice pursuant to § 28-9.7-8 may have, the arbitrator or a party who has paid its share of the fees and necessary expenses of a court-appointed arbitrator may petition the superior court for sanctions against the party failing to make timely payment of its share of such arbitrator’s fees and expenses and the superior court is authorized to enforce the sanctions against the nonpaying party, including, but not limited to, contempt powers pursuant to § 8-6-1.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-12. - Collective bargaining contract.

§ 28-9.7-12. Collective bargaining contract.
Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the state authorities either before or within thirty (30) days after arbitration shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing correctional officers and the state for the period stated therein, provided that the period shall not exceed three (3) years. Any collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the terms and provisions of this chapter shall specifically provide that the correctional officers who are subject to its terms shall have no right to engage in any work stoppage, slowdown, or strike, the consideration for the provision being the right to a resolution of disputed questions.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-13. - Request for collective bargaining.

§ 28-9.7-13. Request for collective bargaining.
Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by the state are included as a matter of collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, it is the obligation of the bargaining agent to serve written notice of request for collective bargaining on the state authorities at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the state to cover the contract period which is the subject of the collective bargaining procedure.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-14. - Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

§ 28-9.7-14. Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.
The sole avenue of review of a decision of an arbitration panel issued pursuant to this chapter shall be by petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court. In the event a decision of the arbitration panel is sought to be reviewed by writ of certiorari to the supreme court, then the matter shall be given priority by the supreme court.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-15. - Attorney’s fees, costs, and interest.

§ 28-9.7-15. Attorney’s fees, costs, and interest.
In the event either the bargaining agent or the state authorities shall file a petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a review or modification of a majority decision of the arbitrators, which by the provisions of § 28-9.7-9 is binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities, the party against whom the decision of the supreme court shall be adverse, if the supreme court finds the appeal or petition to be frivolous shall pay reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the successful party as determined by the supreme court and the supreme court shall in its final decision affirm and award the costs and reasonable attorney’s fees; and if the final decision affirms the award of money, the award, if retroactive, shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from the effective retroactive date.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-16. - Severability.

§ 28-9.7-16. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.7 - Correctional Officers Arbitration › Section 28-9.7-17. - Affirmative action provisions.

§ 28-9.7-17. Affirmative action provisions.
The state authorities, as defined herein, shall include proposals for affirmative action provisions as a subject for all collective bargaining negotiations. The proposals shall include, at a minimum, but not limited to, the following personnel actions: recruitment, new hires, promotions, transfers, terminations, training and education, layoffs, and return from layoff.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-1. - Mediation and conciliation by director.

§ 28-10-1. Mediation and conciliation by director.
It shall be the duty of the director of labor and training to do all in his or her power to promote the voluntary mediation and conciliation of controversies and disputes between employers and employees, and to avoid resort to strikes, lockouts, boycotts, blacklists, discriminations, and legal proceedings in or arising out of controversies and disputes and matters of employment. In pursuance of this duty, the director may, whenever he or she deems advisable, but subject to the approval of the governor, appoint a board of mediation and conciliation for the consideration and settlement of controversies and disputes. The director shall prescribe rules of procedure for the mediation and conciliation, and the mediation and conciliation boards shall have the power to conduct investigations, to hold hearings, and to summon witnesses.
History of Section.
P.L. 1919, ch. 1741, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 87, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 281, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-3. - “Labor dispute” defined.

§ 28-10-3. “Labor dispute” defined.
(a)
“Labor dispute” includes any controversy concerning terms or conditions of employment, or concerning the association or representation of persons in negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing, or seeking to arrange terms or conditions of employment, regardless of whether or not the disputants stand in the proximate relation of employer and employee.
(b)
“Labor dispute” does not include any controversy arising out of a demand that an employer recognize or bargain with a labor organization while another labor organization is the representative of employees in the unit as certified by the state labor relations commission or the national labor relations board, prior to the conduct of a new investigation and certification of representatives by the commission or board, or when a bona fide union has a valid existing contract made at a time prior to any current dispute when it represented a majority of the employees covered by the contract.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 2; P.L. 1951, ch. 2748, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-4. - Relief denied to complainants in default.

§ 28-10-4. Relief denied to complainants in default.
No relief shall be granted to any complainant who has failed to comply with any obligation imposed by law that is involved in the labor dispute in question, and who has failed to make every reasonable effort to settle the dispute either by negotiation and with the aid of any available governmental machinery of mediation or voluntary arbitration when imposed by contract or by law.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 2; P.L. 1951, ch. 2748, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-5. - Jury trial of contempts.

§ 28-10-5. Jury trial of contempts.
In all cases arising under this chapter in which a person is charged with contempt in a court of this state, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; provided, that this right does not apply to contempts committed in the presence of the court or so near to the court as to interfere directly with the administration of justice or to apply to the misbehavior, misconduct, or disobedience of any officer of the court in respect to the writs, orders, or process of the court.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 6; P.L. 1951, ch. 2748, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-6. - “Person” defined.

§ 28-10-6. “Person” defined.
Whenever used in §§ 28-10-7 and 28-10-8, the word “person” means any individual, firm, association, corporation, or law enforcement agency; provided, that the word does not include any member of a city or town police department, any member of the division of state police, deputy sheriff, or any member of the militia of this state while acting in the course of duty and under the direction and order of any superior officer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1938, ch. 2619, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-6; P.L. 1991, ch. 219, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 55.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-7. - Tear gas prohibited.

§ 28-10-7. Tear gas prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or to cause to be used during the progress of labor strikes or lockouts of any type, any tear gas, brombenzylcyanide, or any other gas that would affect the respiratory organs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1938, ch. 2619, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-8. - Penalty for use of gas.

§ 28-10-8. Penalty for use of gas.
(a)
Any person violating any of the provisions of § 28-10-7 shall be liable for and required to pay a civil penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for each and every offense. The civil penalty may be assessed in an action brought on behalf of the state in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b)
Each individual on whom tear gas, brombenzylcyanide, or any other gas is used that would affect respiratory organs shall be considered a separate offense for the purpose of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1938, ch. 2619, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 299, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-8; P.L. 1986, ch. 198, § 16; P.L. 1991, ch. 219, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-9. - Advertising for employees during labor dispute.

§ 28-10-9. Advertising for employees during labor dispute.
If an employer during the continuance of a strike, lockout, or other labor trouble among his or her employees publicly advertises in newspapers or by posters or otherwise for employees, or by himself or herself or his or her agents solicits persons to work for him or her to fill the places of strikers, he or she shall plainly in type as prominent as the largest printed matter in the body of the advertisement or poster explicitly mention in the advertisement or oral or written solicitations that a strike, lockout, or other labor trouble exists among his or her employees. If any person, firm, association, or corporation violates any provisions of this section, he or she or it shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.
History of Section.
P.L. 1940, ch. 896, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1955, ch. 3492, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-10-9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-10. - [Repealed.]

§ 28-10-10. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 200, § 1: P.L. 1988, ch. 545, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1995, ch. 323, § 39, effective July 5, 1995.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-11. - Employment of strikebreaker prohibited.

§ 28-10-11. Employment of strikebreaker prohibited.
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, or corporation, or officer or their agents, involved in a labor strike or lockout knowingly to employ in place of an employee involved in the labor strike or lockout any person who customarily and repeatedly offers himself or herself for employment in the place of employees involved in a labor strike or lockout, or to employ any person in place of an employee involved in a labor strike or lockout who is recruited, procured, supplied, or referred for employment by any person, partnership, agency, firm, or corporation not directly involved in the labor strike or lockout.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person who customarily and repeatedly offers himself or herself for employment in place of employees involved in a labor strike or lockout to take or offer to take the place in employment of employees involved in a labor strike or lockout.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 200, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-12. - [Repealed.]

§ 28-10-12. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 200, § 1: P.L. 1988, ch. 545, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1995, ch. 323, § 39, effective July 5, 1995.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-13. - Notice in advertising.

§ 28-10-13. Notice in advertising.
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, agency, firm, or corporation, or officer or their agents, to recruit, solicit, or advertise for employees, or refer persons to employment, in place of employees in a labor strike or lockout, without adequate notice to the person or in the advertisement that there is a labor strike or lockout at the place at which employment is offered and that the employment offered is in place of employees involved in the labor strike or lockout. “Adequate notice in an advertisement” means notice of equal prominence with any other matter contained in the advertisement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 200, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-13.1. - Police and fire services.

§ 28-10-13.1. Police and fire services.
(a)
Recognizing that police and fire services provided by a municipality during a labor dispute are a public function, and recognizing further the need to secure the rights and safety of all parties to a labor dispute and the rights and safety of the general public, it shall be unlawful for any municipality, agent, servant, or employee of a municipality within the state to accept directly or indirectly from any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or labor union, or any of their officers or agents, involved in a labor strike or lockout compensation or reimbursement for any expense including salaries incurred by the person, partnership, firm, corporation, or labor union, or any of their officers or agents, in connection with the providing of police or fire services during a labor strike or lockout and in connection with the strike or lockout.
(b)
For the purposes of this section, an off-duty police officer shall be considered an employee of a municipality within the state. Private security guard services provided by off-duty police officers shall be considered police services that are a function of the municipality and therefore prohibited under this chapter.
(c)
It shall also be a violation of this chapter for an employer to compensate any municipality, agent, servant, or employee of a municipality for private security guard services.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 10, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 286, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-10 - Labor Disputes › Section 28-10-14. - Penalty for violations.

§ 28-10-14. Penalty for violations.
Any person, partnership, agency, firm, or corporation violating § 28-10-11, § 28-10-13, or § 28-10-13.1 is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each person recruited, supplied, procured, referred, or employed, or to suffer imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 10, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 545, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 323, § 6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11 - Hours of Employment › Section 28-11-1. - Standard day’s work.

§ 28-11-1. Standard day’s work.
Except as otherwise provided by law, labor performed in any manufacturing establishment, and all mechanical labor, during the period of ten (10) hours in any one day, shall be considered a legal day’s work, unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the contract for the labor.
History of Section.
G.L. 1923, ch. 85, § 37; P.L. 1928, ch. 1231, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 285, § 22; G.L. 1938, ch. 285, § 15; P.L. 1943, ch. 1313, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-11-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11 - Hours of Employment › Section 28-11-2. - Day’s work for street railway employees.

§ 28-11-2. Day’s work for street railway employees.
A day’s work for all conductors and operators now employed, or who may subsequently be employed, in the operation of all street railways of whatever motive power in this state shall not exceed ten (10) hours work, to be performed within twelve (12) consecutive hours. No officer or agent of any corporation operating streetcars of whatever motive power in this state shall on any day exact from any of its employees more than ten (10) hours work within the twenty-four (24) hours of the natural day, and within twelve (12) consecutive hours; provided, that on all legal holidays, and on occasions when an unexpected contingency arises, demanding more than the usual service by the street railway corporation to the public, or from the employees to the corporation, and in case of accident or unavoidable delay, extra labor may be performed for extra compensation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1902, ch. 1004, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 218, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 252, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 286, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-11-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11 - Hours of Employment › Section 28-11-3. - Contracts varying length of day on street railways.

§ 28-11-3. Contracts varying length of day on street railways.
The true intent and purpose of §§ 28-11-2 — 28-11-4 is declared to be to limit the usual hours of labor of the conductor and operator employees of street railway corporations, in the absence of agreement as to hours between the employees and their employer, to ten (10) hours actual work a day, to be performed within a period of twelve (12) consecutive hours, whether the employees are employed by the trip or trips, the job, the hour, the day, the week, the month or in any other manner. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to forbid or prevent any employee, being eighteen (18) years of age or upwards, from laboring a greater or lesser number of hours a day in accordance with his or her contract to do so, nor to impose any penalty upon any person or corporation for permitting these employees to labor a greater or lesser number of hours in the performance of the contract.
History of Section.
P.L. 1902, ch. 1004, § 2; P.L. 1902, ch. 1045, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 218, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 252, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 286, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-11-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11 - Hours of Employment › Section 28-11-4. - Penalty for violations by street railways.

§ 28-11-4. Penalty for violations by street railways.
Any street railway corporation violating any of the provisions of §§ 28-11-2 and 28-11-3 shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), one-half (½) of that amount to the use of the complainant and the other one-half (½) to the use of the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1902, ch. 1004, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 218, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 252, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 286, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-11-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11.1 - Part-Time Elected Officials › Section 28-11.1-1. - Statement of policy.

§ 28-11.1-1. Statement of policy.
(a)
The public interest requires that persons engaged in all lawful types of employment be encouraged to serve as elected members of part-time elected bodies. To facilitate this encouragement, it is necessary wherever practical for employers of part-time elected officials to provide flexible work schedules so that those employees serving as part-time elected officials might attend to the business of the people of the state of Rhode Island and its municipalities. The anticipated flexible work schedules shall be within the reasonable operation of the employer’s business.
(b)
The public interest also requires that all part-time elected officials of elected bodies be free from undue influence or pressure by their employers as it relates to their decisions and relative to legislation which they might consider or introduce.
(c)
No employer shall be permitted to either directly or indirectly use any condition of the part-time elected official’s employment as a means of influencing the legislator’s vote on any legislation or introduction of his or her own legislation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 138, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11.1 - Part-Time Elected Officials › Section 28-11.1-2. - Flexible work schedules.

§ 28-11.1-2. Flexible work schedules.
Every employer of a part-time elected official of an elected body shall be required to provide the employee with a flexible work schedule to accommodate the employee’s attendance at the sessions necessary for the part-time elected officials of elected bodies wherever practical within the reasonable operation of the employer’s business. An employer shall not be in violation of this provision if the employer cannot reasonably provide alternate work hours for an employee or if the service of the elected official would necessitate the hiring of additional or replacement employees. All disputes concerning compliance with this section shall be resolved under the provisions of chapter 10 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 138, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11.1 - Part-Time Elected Officials › Section 28-11.1-3. - Undue influence.

§ 28-11.1-3. Undue influence.
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any employer of a part-time elected official of an elected body to:
(1)
Fire or threaten to fire the employee based upon his or her activities or decisions as a part-time elected official of an elected body;
(2)
Attempt to influence the employee to introduce legislation or vote on any legislation through job discrimination, compensation, or adverse job action; or
(3)
Discriminate against an employee in any area of his or her employment because of his or her legislative activities, votes, or business.
(b)
All violations of this section shall be referred to the director of the department of labor and training and, if not resolved, shall be referred to the department of the attorney general for prosecution. Any person, firm, or corporation convicted of a violation of this section shall be subject to a fine up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) or up to one year in jail, or both.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 138, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-11.1 - Part-Time Elected Officials › Section 28-11.1-4. - Exemptions.

§ 28-11.1-4. Exemptions.
This chapter shall not apply to any city or town where the holding of public office would violate state or federal law or would violate the charter of the city or town.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 138, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 357, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-1. - Short title.

§ 28-12-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Minimum Wage Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3745, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 28-12-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-2. - Definitions.

§ 28-12-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Advisory board” means a board created as provided in § 28-12-6.
(2)
“Commissioner” means the minimum-wage commissioner appointed by the director of labor and training as chief of the division of labor standards.
(3)
“Director” means the director of labor and training, or his or her duly authorized representative.
(4)
“Employ” means to suffer or to permit to work.
(5)(i)
“Employee” includes any individual suffered or permitted to work by an employer.
(ii)
“Employee” shall not include:
(A)
Any individual employed in domestic service or in or about a private home;
(B)
Any individual employed by the United States;
(C)
Any individual engaged in the activities of an educational, charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization where the employer-employee relationship does not, in fact, exist, or where the services rendered to the organizations are on a voluntary basis;
(D)
Newspaper deliverers on home delivery, shoe shiners in shoe shine establishments, caddies on golf courses, pin persons in bowling alleys, ushers in theatres;
(E)
Traveling salespersons or outside salespersons;
(F)
Service performed by an individual in the employ of his or her son, daughter, or spouse and service performed by a child under the age of twenty-one (21) in the employ of his or her father or mother;
(G)
Any individual employed between May 1 and October 1 in a resort establishment that regularly serves meals to the general public and that is open for business not more than six (6) months a year;
(H)
Any individual employed by an organized camp that does not operate for more than seven (7) months in any calendar year. However, this exemption does not apply to individuals employed by the camp on an annual, full-time basis. “Organized camp” means any camp, except a trailer camp, having a structured program including, but not limited to, recreation, education, and religious, or any combination of these.
(6)
“Employer” includes any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person, or group of persons, acting directly, or indirectly, in the interest of an employer, in relation to an employee.
(7)
“Occupation” means any occupation, service, trade, business, industry, or branch or group of industries or employment or class of employment in which individuals are gainfully employed.
(8)
“Wage” means compensation due to an employee by reason of his or her employment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3745, § 1; P.L. 1956, ch. 3760, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-12-2; P.L. 1957, ch. 104, §§ 1, 4; P.L. 1962, ch. 105, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 110, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 218, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 347, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 435, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 436, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-3. - Minimum wages.

§ 28-12-3. Minimum wages.
(a)
Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees: commencing July 1, 1999, at least the minimum wage of five dollars and sixty-five cents ($5.65) per hour. Commencing September 1, 2000, the minimum wage is six dollars and fifteen cents ($6.15) per hour.
(b)
Commencing January 1, 2004, the minimum wage is six dollars and seventy-five cents ($6.75) per hour.
(c)
Commencing March 1, 2006, the minimum wage is seven dollars and ten cents ($7.10) per hour.
(d)
Commencing January 1, 2007, the minimum wage is seven dollars and forty cents ($7.40) per hour.
(e)
Commencing January 1, 2013, the minimum wage is seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($7.75) per hour.
(f)
Commencing January 1, 2014, the minimum wage is eight dollars ($8.00) per hour.
(g)
Commencing January 1, 2015, the minimum wage is nine dollars ($9.00) per hour.
(h)
Commencing January 1, 2016, the minimum wage is nine dollars and sixty cents ($9.60) per hour.
(i)
Commencing January 1, 2018, the minimum wage is ten dollars and ten cents ($10.10) per hour.
(j)
Commencing January 1, 2019, the minimum wage is ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.
(k)
Commencing October 1, 2020, the minimum wage is eleven dollars and fifty cents ($11.50) per hour.
(
l
)
Commencing January 1, 2022, the minimum wage is twelve dollars and twenty-five cents ($12.25) per hour.
(m)
Commencing January 1, 2023, the minimum wage is thirteen dollars ($13.00) per hour.
(n)
Commencing January 1, 2024, the minimum wage is fourteen dollars ($14.00) per hour.
(o)
Commencing January 1, 2025, the minimum wage is fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour.
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3745, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-12-3; P.L. 1957, ch. 104, § 2; P.L. 1962, ch 105, § 2; P.L. 1967, ch. 220, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 2; P.L. 1979, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 315, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 256, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 409, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 323, § 7; P.L. 1996, ch. 286, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 294, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 31; P.L. 2000, ch. 156, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 383, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 385, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 5, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 6, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 345, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 338, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 424, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 273, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 72, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 14, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 3, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 4, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 15, § 1, effective May 20, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 16, § 1, effective May 20, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-3.1. - Wages for minors.

§ 28-12-3.1. Wages for minors.
Every minor, fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) years of age shall be paid at a rate of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the minimum wages as specified in § 28-12-3; provided, every minor who works in excess of twenty-four (24) hours in any week shall be paid for all hours worked in that week at the hourly rate provided by § 28-12-3 or § 28-12-5(f).
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 3; P.L. 1979, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 315, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-3.2. - Wages for failure to furnish shift work.

§ 28-12-3.2. Wages for failure to furnish shift work.
(a)
An employer who requests or permits any employee to report for duty at the beginning of a work shift and does not furnish at least three (3) hours work on that shift shall pay the employee not less than three (3) times the regular hourly rate. Provided, however, that shifts scheduled for less than three (3) hours are permissible when entered into voluntarily and agreed upon by both the employer and employee. In the event that an employee reports for duty at the beginning of a work shift and the employer offers no work for him or her to perform, the employer shall pay the employee not less than three (3) times the regular hourly rate or the amount they would have earned for any shifts consisting of less than three (3) hours, as allowed under this section.
(b)
This section shall not apply to students enrolled full-time at colleges or universities located in this state who are also an employee of the college or university they attend, except as follows: a college or university that employs students and requests or permits a student employee to report for duty at the beginning of a work shift, the length of which has been mutually agreed to, and the employer does not furnish work for the student employee to perform, will pay the student for the number of hours of the agreed upon shift.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 3; P.L. 1981, ch. 411, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 32; P.L. 2019, ch. 293, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 305, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-4. - [Repealed.]

§ 28-12-4. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3745, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 28-12-4; Repealed by P.L. 1962, ch. 105, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-4.1. - Overtime pay.

§ 28-12-4.1. Overtime pay.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no employer shall employ any employee for a workweek longer than forty (40) hours unless the employee is compensated at a rate of one and one-half (1½) times the regular rate at which he or she is employed for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Provided, however, employers who or that pay any delivery drivers or sales merchandisers an overtime rate of compensation for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours in any one week shall not calculate that overtime rate of compensation by fluctuating workweek method of overtime payment under 29 C.F.R. § 778.114.
(b)
In any workweek in which an employee of a retail business is employed on a Sunday or a holiday, or both, at a rate of one and one-half (1½) times the regular rate at which he or she is employed as provided in § 5-23-2, the hours worked on the Sunday or holiday, or both, shall be excluded from the calculation of overtime pay as required by this section.
(c)
No city, town, or fire district shall employ any “firefighter,” as defined in § 28-9.1-3, excluding however civilian employees, for an average workweek longer than forty-two (42) hours unless the firefighter is compensated at the rate of one and one-half (1½) times his or her regular rate for all hours worked in excess of forty-two (42) hours based upon an average workweek. An average workweek shall be calculated utilizing the prior consecutive eight-week (8) period, based upon a seven-day (7) workweek. For the purposes of this section, “hours worked” shall include all paid leave.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 4; P.L. 1987, ch. 553, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 254, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 257, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 19, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 20, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-4.2. - Biweekly overtime pay.

§ 28-12-4.2. Biweekly overtime pay.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no employer shall employ any employee on a biweekly basis with hours worked and hourly wages averaged over that period for longer than forty (40) hours per week unless the employee is compensated at a rate of one and one-half (1½) times the regular rate at which he or she is employed for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages › Section 28-12-4.4. - Regulations.

§ 28-12-4.4. Regulations.
The director of labor and training shall by regulations define and delimit the employees designated in § 28-12-4.3. Before any regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed, there shall be a public hearing on it at which all persons in favor of or opposed to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the regulation may be heard. Notice of the public hearing shall be published at least once not less than twenty (20) days prior to the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the state. A record shall be made of all proceedings at the public hearing.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 152, § 4.