(a)  The director, or his or her designee, or any state inspector is authorized to inspect during business hours, or by appointment at another time agreed to by the inspector and the owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises:

(1)  Any dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive environmental lead inspection, or other inspection, as part of the treatment and follow up for a child identified as being lead poisoned;

(2)  Any structure or premises that is used as a preschool, day care facility, nursery school, public or private elementary school or schoolyard, public playground, or foster home or shelter serving children under the age of six (6) years for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive environmental lead inspection, or other inspection;

(3)  Any dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive environmental lead inspection, or other inspection, in response to any complaint to the department by an occupant or the parent or guardian of any minor who is an occupant renting or leasing the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises of the existence of a lead exposure hazard for a child under the age of six (6) years residing in that dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises; or

(4)  Any dwelling, dwelling unit, structure, or premises identified in subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section which is undergoing a lead hazard reduction or a regulated renovation or rehabilitation at a reasonable time, without prior notice, as part of an enforcement inspection.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-24.6-13

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • 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.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.

(b)  The owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises shall, upon presentation of proper identification by the state inspector, for the limited purpose of inspection for lead, grant the inspector entry and free access to every part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises where lead may pose a hazard to the health and safety of children under the age of six (6) years. If any owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises fails or refuses to permit this access and entry to the structure or premises under his or her control or any part of it, the state inspector may, upon a showing that probable cause exists for the inspection and for the issuance of a court order directing compliance with the inspection requirements of this section, petition and obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Any person refusing to comply with an order issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to any penalties as may be authorized by law for violation of a court order.

History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 355, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 2; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 2.