Rhode Island § 23-25-28 - Pesticide Control

§ 23-25-28. Penalties.

(a) Civil penalties.

(1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each offense. In addition to any civil penalty assessed in this subsection, the director may ban businesses or commercial applicators from providing pest control services to the state for a period of up to five (5) years when the director finds the business or commercial applicator has violated a provision of this chapter or the rules or regulations promulgated under this chapter with regard to the mixing or application of pesticides.

(2) No penalty shall be assessed unless the person charged shall have been notified and given opportunity for a hearing before the director on the charge. In making the assessment, the director shall consider the size of the business, the ability of the person charged to continue in business, and the gravity of the violation.

(b) Criminal penalties.

(1) Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, on conviction, be fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days, or both.

(2) Any person who, with intent to defraud, uses or reveals information relative to formulas of products acquired under authority of § 23-25-6 shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or imprisoned for not more than three (3) years, or both.