2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 5 - Businesses and Professions › Chapter 5-65.1 - Home Inspectors › Section 5-65.1-11. - Grounds for discipline — Injunctions.

§ 5-65.1-11. Grounds for discipline — Injunctions.
(a)
After a hearing in accordance with the administrative regulations promulgated by the board, the board may revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue, reinstate, or reissue a license if the board determines that a licensee or applicant has:
(1)
Disclosed any information concerning the results of the home inspection without the approval of a client or the client’s representatives;
(2)
Accepted compensation from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties;
(3)
Accepted commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from other parties dealing with his or her client in connection with the inspection for which the licensee is responsible;
(4)
Failed to promptly disclose to a client information about any business interest of the licensee that may affect the client in connection with the home inspection;
(5)
Obtained a license or authorization to sit for an examination, as the case may be, through fraud, deception, or misrepresentation;
(6)
Engaged in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promise, or false pretense;
(7)
Engaged in gross negligence, gross malpractice, or gross incompetence;
(8)
Engaged in repeated acts of negligence, malpractice, or incompetence;
(9)
Engaged in professional or occupational misconduct as may be determined by the board;
(10)
Been convicted of any crime relating adversely to the activity regulated by the board. For the purpose of this subsection, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere shall be deemed a conviction;
(11)
Had his or her authority to engage in the activity regulated by the board revoked or suspended by any other state, agency, or authority for reasons consistent with this section;
(12)
Attempted to limit liability for negligent or wrongful errors or omissions by use of a clause within a performance contract that limits the damages for negligent or wrongful errors or omissions;
(13)
Failed to provide a written report of the completed home inspection;
(14)
Violated or failed to comply with any order of the board or provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated and administered by the board pursuant to this chapter;
(15)
Become incapable, for medical or any other material reason, of discharging the functions of a licensee in a manner consistent with the public’s health, safety, and welfare;
(16)
Failed to obtain or maintain the insurance required by § 5-65.1-10;
(17)
Knowingly assisted an unlicensed person to act in violation of this chapter; or
(18)
Failed to comply with the provisions of § 5-20.8-8.
(b)
In addition to all other remedies, when it appears to the board that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any act, practice, or transaction that violates the provisions of this chapter, the board may direct the attorney general to apply to the court for an injunction restraining the person from violating the provisions of this chapter.
(c)(1)
The board may, after a hearing, impose a fine in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the first violation of this chapter, or any rules or regulations promulgated by the board.
(2)
For each second violation of a particular subsection of this chapter or of a rule or regulation promulgated by the board, a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) may be imposed after a hearing by the board.
(d)
The board, may, in lieu of a fine or other sanction, order a licensee to attend continuing-education courses as appropriate. Failure to adhere to the requirement could result in immediate revocation of a license.
History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 228, § 3; P.L. 2021, ch. 400, § 19, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 401, § 19, effective July 13, 2021.