Section 23-20.10-1. – Short title.
§ 23-20.10-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known as the “Public Health and Workplace Safety Act.” History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 198, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 209, § 2.
Section 23-20.10-10. – Violations and penalties.
§ 23-20.10-10. Violations and penalties. (a) An employer who violates this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty as follows: (1) A penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first violation; (2) A penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) for the second violation; (3) A penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for […]
Section 23-20.10-11. – Public education.
§ 23-20.10-11. Public education. The department of health shall engage in a continuing program to explain and clarify the purposes and requirements of this chapter to citizens affected by it, and to guide owners, operators and managers in their compliance with it. The program may include publication of a brochure for affected businesses and individuals […]
Section 23-20.10-12. – Governmental agency cooperation.
§ 23-20.10-12. Governmental agency cooperation. The state of Rhode Island and its designees shall annually request other governmental and educational agencies having facilities within the state to establish local operating procedures in cooperation and compliance of this chapter. This includes urging all federal, state, municipal and school district agencies to update their existing smoking control […]
Section 23-20.10-13. – Other applicable laws.
§ 23-20.10-13. Other applicable laws. This chapter shall not be interpreted or construed to permit smoking where it is otherwise restricted by other applicable laws. History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 198, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 209, § 2.
Section 23-20.10-14. – Prohibited condition of employment — Smoking by employees outside course of employment.
§ 23-20.10-14. Prohibited condition of employment — Smoking by employees outside course of employment. (a) No employer or agent of any employer shall require, as a condition of employment, that any employee or prospective employee refrain from smoking or using tobacco products outside the course of his or her employment, or otherwise discriminate against any […]
Section 23-20.10-15. – Repealed.
§ 23-20.10-15. Repealed.
Section 23-20.10-16. – Severability.
§ 23-20.10-16. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and this holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. […]
Section 23-20.10-2. – Definitions.
§ 23-20.10-2. Definitions. The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section: (1) “Assisted-living residence” means a residence that provides personal assistance and meals to adults in accordance with chapter 17.4 of this title. (2) “Bar” means an establishment that is devoted to the serving of […]
Section 23-20.10-3. – Prohibition of smoking in public places.
§ 23-20.10-3. Prohibition of smoking in public places. Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places within the state of Rhode Island, including, but not limited to, the following places: (1) Aquariums, galleries, libraries and museums; (2) Areas available to and customarily used by the general public in businesses and nonprofit entities patronized by […]
Section 23-20.10-4. – Prohibition of smoking in places of employment.
§ 23-20.10-4. Prohibition of smoking in places of employment. Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed facilities within places of employment without exception. This includes common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms, vehicles, and all other enclosed facilities. This prohibition on smoking […]
Section 23-20.10-5. – Outdoor smoking space.
§ 23-20.10-5. Outdoor smoking space. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an employer from providing an outdoor smoking space for their employees. Provided, however, that any employer who provides an outdoor area for its employees to smoke must provide an area which is physically separated from the enclosed workplace so as to prevent the migration […]
Section 23-20.10-6. – Where smoking not regulated.
§ 23-20.10-6. Where smoking not regulated. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the following areas shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter: (1) Private residences, except when used as a licensed childcare, adult daycare, or healthcare facility; (2) Hotel and motel rooms that are rented to guests and […]
Section 23-20.10-6.1. – Pari mutual facilities.
§ 23-20.10-6.1. Pari mutual facilities. (a) Any pari mutual facility established under chapter 3.1 or 7 of title 41 or any pari mutual licensee under chapter 61.2 of title 42 shall provide designated smoking and nonsmoking gaming areas in their facilities. (b) The designated nonsmoking gaming area shall be physically separated from any smoking area […]
Section 23-20.10-7. – Posting of signs.
§ 23-20.10-7. Posting of signs. (a) “No smoking” signs or the international “No smoking” symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it) shall be clearly and conspicuously posted in every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited by this […]
Section 23-20.10-8. – Nonretaliation.
§ 23-20.10-8. Nonretaliation. No person or employer shall discharge, refuse to hire or in any manner retaliate against an employee, applicant for employment or customer because that employee, applicant or customer exercises any rights afforded by this chapter or reports or attempts to prosecute a violation of this chapter. History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 198, […]
Section 23-20.10-9. – Enforcement.
§ 23-20.10-9. Enforcement. (a) The director of health shall promulgate such rules and regulations including the complaint forms, as are necessary to carry out the mandates of this chapter within one hundred eighty (180) days of passage [June 29, 2004]. (b) Notice of the provisions of this chapter shall be given to all applicants for […]