§ 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.
(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.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-24.5 - Asbestos Abatement
Section 23-24.5-1. - Short title.
Section 23-24.5-2. - Definitions.
Section 23-24.5-4. - Legislative findings.
Section 23-24.5-5. - Asbestos exposure standards.
Section 23-24.5-6. - Asbestos abatement plans.
Section 23-24.5-7. - Health department inspections.
Section 23-24.5-8. - Posting and labeling.
Section 23-24.5-9. - Building closing.
Section 23-24.5-10. - Product sale or use.
Section 23-24.5-11. - Complaint process.
Section 23-24.5-12. - Licensure of asbestos contractors.
Section 23-24.5-13. - Competent persons.
Section 23-24.5-14. - Training, curricula, and certification.
Section 23-24.5-15. - Duties of physicians regarding asbestos related disease.
Section 23-24.5-16. - Delegation of authority.
Section 23-24.5-17. - Compliance procedures.
Section 23-24.5-18. - Hazardous substance.
Section 23-24.5-19. - Asbestos abatement fund.
Section 23-24.5-20. - Bonds authorized.
Section 23-24.5-21. - Advances from general fund.
Section 23-24.5-22. - Interpretation and severability.
Section 23-24.5-23. - Asbestos advisory board.
Section 23-24.5-24. - Exemptions.
Section 23-24.5-25. - Misrepresentation of asbestos licensure or certification.