§ 23-1-1. General functions of department.
The department of health shall take cognizance of the interests of life and health among the peoples of the state; shall make investigations into the causes of disease, the prevalence of epidemics and endemics among the people, the sources of mortality, the effect of localities, employments and all other conditions and circumstances on the public health, and do all in its power to ascertain the causes and the best means for the prevention and control of diseases or conditions detrimental to the public health, and adopt proper and expedient measures to prevent and control diseases and conditions detrimental to the public health in the state. It shall publish and circulate, from time to time, information that the director may deem to be important and useful for diffusion among the people of the state, and shall investigate and give advice in relation to those subjects relating to public health that may be referred to it by the general assembly or by the governor when the general assembly is not in session, or when requested by any city or town. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations that it deems necessary, not inconsistent with law, to carry out the purposes of this section; provided, however, that the department shall not require all nonprofit volunteer ambulance, rescue service, and volunteer fire departments to have two (2) or more certified emergency medical technicians manning ambulances or rescue vehicles.
History of Section.P.L. 1929, ch. 1432, § 4; P.L. 1930, ch. 1549, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 255, § 3; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 180; G.L. 1956, § 23-1-1; P.L. 1964, ch. 45, § 2; P.L. 1984, ch. 224, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-1 - Department of Health
Section 23-1-1. - General functions of department.
Section 23-1-1.1. - Health planning — Findings.
Section 23-1-1.2. - Health planning process.
Section 23-1-1.3. - Transfer of responsibilities.
Section 23-1-2. - Inquiries to local authorities and physicians.
Section 23-1-3. - Maintenance of laboratories.
Section 23-1-4. - Vital records.
Section 23-1-5. - Enforcement of sanitary laws.
Section 23-1-5.1. - Laboratory testing services.
Section 23-1-5.2. - Office of private well water contamination.
Section 23-1-5.3. - Duties of the office of private well water contamination.
Section 23-1-5.4. - Access to information.
Section 23-1-5.5. - Annual report.
Section 23-1-5.7. - Well water purification licensing.
Section 23-1-6. - Shellfish packing houses.
Section 23-1-7. - Industrial hygiene.
Section 23-1-8. - Forensic scientist — Crime detection.
Section 23-1-9. - Annual report to general assembly.
Section 23-1-10 - — 23-1-12. Repealed.
Section 23-1-13. - Appropriations and disbursements.
Section 23-1-14. - Vouchers for disbursements.
Section 23-1-15. - Providing a physician for New Shoreham.
Section 23-1-16. - Receipt and use of funds.
Section 23-1-16.1. - Letters of license verification — Fees.
Section 23-1-17. - Additional general powers.
Section 23-1-18. - Power to provide rules and regulations in specific areas.
Section 23-1-19. - Inspection and examination — Penalty for obstruction.
Section 23-1-20. - Compliance order.
Section 23-1-21. - Immediate compliance order.
Section 23-1-23. - Enforcement of compliance orders.
Section 23-1-24. - Review by supreme court.
Section 23-1-26. - Adoption of regulations — Status of present regulations.
Section 23-1-27. - Exemption from hearing provisions of Administrative Procedures Act.
Section 23-1-28. - Definitions.
Section 23-1-29. - Delegation.
Section 23-1-31. - Approval of construction by director.
Section 23-1-32. - Limitation on civil liability.
Section 23-1-33. - Dr. Charles V. Chapin Health Laboratory.
Section 23-1-34. - Health promotion income.
Section 23-1-36.1. - [Repealed.]
Section 23-1-38. - HIV antibody testing — Sperm collection or donation.
Section 23-1-39. - Tattooing and/or body piercing.
Section 23-1-39.1. - Laser pointing device.
Section 23-1-40. - Misrepresentation on menu of food or food products.
Section 23-1-41. - Rhode Island public health foundation.
Section 23-1-42. - Renewal of licenses, certifications and registration — Date changes.
Section 23-1-42.1. - Wallet license cards for healthcare professionals.
Section 23-1-43. - Minority population health promotion.
Section 23-1-44. - Routine childhood and adult immunization vaccines.
Section 23-1-45. - Immunization account.
Section 23-1-47. - Health care providers — Immunities.
Section 23-1-48. - Reimbursement for medical record copies.
Section 23-1-49. - Registry of persons with head injuries and/or spinal cord injuries.
Section 23-1-50. - Public Records — Exemption — Requirements.
Section 23-1-51. - Severability.
Section 23-1-52. - Adult daycare program licensure.
Section 23-1-53. - Cost of legal fees.
Section 23-1-54. - Fees payable to the department of health.
Section 23-1-57. - Penalties for unlicensed business.
Section 23-1-58. - Penalty for operating without a dealer license.