Rhode Island § 5-65-16 - Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board

§ 5-65-16. Powers and duties of the board — Investigatory powers of board — Use of city or county inspectors — Conduct of hearings.

(a) The board may investigate the activities of any person engaged in the building and construction industry to determine compliance with this chapter.

(b) The board may conduct investigations with the assistance of the local building officials.

(c) The board has the power to administer oaths; issue notices and subpoenas in the name of the board; compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence; hold hearings; and perform any other acts that are reasonably necessary to carry out its duties under this chapter.

(d) If any person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under subsection (c) or refuses to testify on matters on which the person may be lawfully interrogated, such person shall be considered in contempt and the board or director may compel compliance and/or punish any contempt of the authority in like manner as may be punished in either the supreme or the superior court.

(e) The board shall have the authority to hire private investigators or constables to carry out the duties of this chapter. The costs and expenses incurred by the hiring of private investigators may be borne by the contractor or nonprevailing party.

(f) In addition to all powers granted to the board and office under this chapter, the board and office, and their designees, shall have the power and authority to:

(1) Assess fines as provided by this chapter;

(2)  [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 251, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 252, § 1.]

(3) Provide any other relief and/or remedy provided by this chapter and the board’s rules and regulations.

(g) The board may, at its discretion, require any contractor who has had action taken against his/her registration to obtain a bond in such amount as determined by the board.