Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-18.9 - Refuse Disposal
Section 23-18.9-10. - Penalties.

§ 23-18.9-10. Penalties.
(a) Criminal penalties.
(1) Any person who constructs a solid waste management facility or construction and demolition (C&D) debris processing facility or installs equipment in the facility or expands the facility without first obtaining approval of the plans and specifications for the facility, or any person who operates the facility without obtaining a license to do so from the director or who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any rules, regulations, permits, licenses, and orders adopted pursuant to this chapter, in the operation of a licensed facility shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or both fine and imprisonment, and every person is guilty of a separate and distinct offense for each day during which the violation is repeated or continued.
(2) Any person who disposes of solid waste at other than a licensed solid waste facility shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day during which the violation is repeated or continued and all costs incurred in the removal of the solid waste or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or both.
(3) Any person who cocktails hazardous waste as defined by § 23-19.1-4(4) with construction and demolition debris prior to or contemporaneously with the transfer of that waste to a construction and demolition debris processing facility or a construction and demolition debris facility or who generates solid waste which is not disposed of in accordance with the general laws is absolutely liable for the cost of containment, cleanup, restoration and removal of the hazardous wastes and for all damages, losses or injuries, including environmental, which result directly or indirectly from the combination, mixing or addition of the hazardous waste with the construction and demolition debris and is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both. In any case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance is deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

(b) Civil penalty for violations. Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter, or of any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to this chapter, shall be subject to a civil penalty, of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). In the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance of the violation is deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.
History of Section.P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 23-46-10; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-18.9-10; P.L. 1985, ch. 33, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 543, § 2; P.L. 1989, ch. 535, § 3; P.L. 1989, ch. 543, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 212, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 288, § 2.

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