§ 23-24.6-13. State inspectors.
(a) The director, or his or her designee, or any state inspector is authorized to inspect
during business hours, or by appointment at another time agreed to by the inspector
and the owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or
premises:
(1) Any dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive
environmental lead inspection, or other inspection, as part of the treatment and follow
up for a child identified as being lead poisoned;
(2) Any structure or premises that is used as a preschool, day care facility, nursery
school, public or private elementary school or schoolyard, public playground, or foster
home or shelter serving children under the age of six (6) years for the purpose of
conducting a comprehensive environmental lead inspection, or other inspection;
(3) Any dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive
environmental lead inspection, or other inspection, in response to any complaint to
the department by an occupant or the parent or guardian of any minor who is an occupant
renting or leasing the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises of the existence of a
lead exposure hazard for a child under the age of six (6) years residing in that dwelling,
dwelling unit, or premises; or
(4) Any dwelling, dwelling unit, structure, or premises identified in subsection (a)(1),
(2), or (3) of this section which is undergoing a lead hazard reduction or a regulated
renovation or rehabilitation at a reasonable time, without prior notice, as part of
an enforcement inspection.
(b) The owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises
shall, upon presentation of proper identification by the state inspector, for the
limited purpose of inspection for lead, grant the inspector entry and free access
to every part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises where lead may pose a hazard
to the health and safety of children under the age of six (6) years. If any owner,
occupant, or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises fails
or refuses to permit this access and entry to the structure or premises under his
or her control or any part of it, the state inspector may, upon a showing that probable
cause exists for the inspection and for the issuance of a court order directing compliance
with the inspection requirements of this section, petition and obtain an order from
a court of competent jurisdiction. Any person refusing to comply with an order issued
pursuant to this section shall be subject to any penalties as may be authorized by
law for violation of a court order.