Rhode Island General Laws 23-24.5-11. Complaint process
(a) An occupant of any building or the parent or guardian of any minor who is an occupant of a building or an employee working in a building or that employee’s representative may request the director to undertake an inspection of that building for the purpose of detecting friable asbestos, of demanding enforcement of an abatement plan, and/or to request copies of inspections previously undertaken of any asbestos abatement plan related to the occupant’s building by notifying the director in writing of the request by identifying the building location and address and by setting forth any reason for suspecting the existence of friable asbestos in the building.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-24.5-11
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
(b) The director shall within forty-five (45) days of receipt of that request answer the request in writing setting forth the results of any inspection undertaken, the reason for not undertaking an inspection, or for either not abating or for abating the asbestos condition of the building.
(c) Any occupant not receiving an answer within forty-five (45) days or not satisfied with the response of the director may request an order for the relief requested through the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of Title 42, from the department’s hearing officer and appeal as an aggrieved party.
(d) The name of the complainant shall remain confidential.
(e) No public employee or beneficiary of public funds making a request or complaint to the director shall, as a result of a request or complaint, be subject to any retaliatory action, discriminatory act, job dismissal, suspension, or discipline by any person. Any employee or beneficiary subjected to this action shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies set forth in the Rhode Island Whistleblowers Act, chapter 50 of Title 28.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 366, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 541, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 542, § 54.