§ 23-20.9-8. Penalties and enforcement.
(a) The Rhode Island department of health, having received a written and signed letter
of complaint from a person, whose identity shall remain confidential, citing a school's
violation of this chapter, shall enforce this entire chapter against violations by
the following actions:
(1) Serving written notice to comply to the governing body of the school, with a copy
of the notice to the complaining citizens, requiring the governing body of the school
to correct within ten (10) days any violation of any section of this chapter.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
§ 23-20.9-8. Penalties and enforcement.
(a) The Rhode Island department of health, having received a written and signed letter
of complaint from a person, whose identity shall remain confidential, citing a school's
violation of this chapter, shall enforce this entire chapter against violations by
the following actions:
(1) Serving written notice to comply to the governing body of the school, with a copy
of the notice to the complaining citizens, requiring the governing body of the school
to correct within ten (10) days any violation of any section of this chapter.
(2) Upon receiving a second complaint at the department of health for the same or continued
violation in the same school, the complaint shall be resolved by calling upon the
attorney general for the state to maintain within forty-five (45) days an action for
injunction to enforce the provisions of this chapter to cause the correction of this
violation, and for assessment and recovery of a civil penalty for this violation.
(b) The governing body of a school who violates or allows the violation of this chapter
shall be liable for a civil penalty, not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor to exceed
five hundred dollars ($500). This penalty shall be assessed and recovered in a civil
action brought by the attorney general in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each
day the violation is committed or permitted to continue by a governing body shall
constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as-such. Any penalty assessed
and recovered in an action brought pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the
general treasurer and added to the general fund.
(c) In undertaking the enforcement of this chapter, the state is assuming an undertaking
only to promote the general health and welfare. It is not assuming, nor is it imposing
on its officers and employees, an obligation for breach of which it is liable in money
damages to any person who claims that a breach proximately caused injury.