Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages
Section 28-12-14. - Enforcement powers.

§ 28-12-14. Enforcement powers.
The director or the commissioner or any authorized representative of either shall have the authority to:
(1) Investigate and ascertain the wages of persons employed in any occupation in this state;
(2) Enter and inspect the places of business or employment of any employer of employees in any occupation in the state for the purpose of examining and inspecting any or all books, registers, payrolls, and other records of any employer that in any way relate to or have a bearing on the question of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment of any employees, and may question employees for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions of this chapter and the orders and regulations issued under this chapter have been and are being complied with;
(3) Require from any employer of employees in any occupation in this state full and correct statements, in writing, including sworn statements with respect to wages, hours, names, addresses, and any other information pertaining to the employer’s employees and their employment that the director or the commissioner or their authorized representative deems necessary or appropriate;
(4) Administer rules and require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, records, and other evidence relative to any matter under investigation. The subpoena shall be signed and issued by the director or the commissioner and shall be served and have the same effect as if issued out of the superior court;
(5) Cause the depositions of witnesses residing within or outside of the state to be taken in the manner prescribed for like depositions in civil actions in the superior court;
(6) Carry out the provisions of this chapter; and
(7) Bring all actions, suits, complaints, and prosecutions for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Complaints shall be signed and issued by the director or the commissioner or any authorized representative of either.
History of Section.P.L. 1956, ch. 3745, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-12-14; P.L. 1986, ch. 198, § 17.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations

Chapter 28-12 - Minimum Wages

Section 28-12-1. - Short title.

Section 28-12-2. - Definitions.

Section 28-12-3. - Minimum wages.

Section 28-12-3.1. - Wages for minors.

Section 28-12-3.2. - Wages for failure to furnish shift work.

Section 28-12-4. - [Repealed.]

Section 28-12-4.1. - Overtime pay.

Section 28-12-4.2. - Biweekly overtime pay.

Section 28-12-4.3. - Exemptions.

Section 28-12-4.4. - Regulations.

Section 28-12-5. - Employees receiving gratuities.

Section 28-12-6. - Occupational administrative regulations.

Section 28-12-7. - Revision of regulations.

Section 28-12-8. - Judicial review of regulations.

Section 28-12-9. - [Repealed.]

Section 28-12-10. - Learners and apprentices.

Section 28-12-11. - Posting of law and orders.

Section 28-12-12. - Records of employers.

Section 28-12-13. - Responsibility for enforcement.

Section 28-12-14. - Enforcement powers.

Section 28-12-15. - Hindering enforcement — Failure to carry out administrative requirements.

Section 28-12-16. - Discrimination against employees invoking provisions.

Section 28-12-17. - Payment of substandard wages.

Section 28-12-18. - Penalty for other violations.

Section 28-12-19. - Actions for relief.

Section 28-12-20. - Assignment of wage claim and action by department.

Section 28-12-21. - More favorable laws preserved.

Section 28-12-22. - Collective bargaining rights preserved.

Section 28-12-23. - Annual appropriation.

Section 28-12-24. - Severability.

Section 28-12-25. - Uniformity.