(a)  The director may make public or private investigations inside or outside this state or determine whether a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate a provision of this act. The director may investigate to aid in the enforcement of this act or in prescribing rules under this act. The director may publish information concerning the violation of this act or a rule or order under this act.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 19-28.1-26

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(b)  The director may keep confidential any information obtained in the course of an investigation.

(c)  The director may investigate suspected criminal violations of this act and may refer evidence to the attorney general or a prosecuting attorney. Upon request of the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, the director and the director’s attorneys, deputies, or assistants may assist in presenting the law or facts at trial.

(d)  For the purposes of an investigation or proceeding under this act, the director may subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath, or require the production of any documents or tangible things that the director deems relevant or material to this investigation or proceeding. The subpoena must state the date, place, and time at which the person is required to appear or produce documentary material.

(e)  A director’s subpoena shall be served in accordance with the service of process requirements of civil litigation in this state.

(f)  Upon application of the director, a court may compel compliance with a subpoena through a contempt proceeding.

History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.