2005 Rhode Island Code - § 23-19.14-16 — Penalties for noncompliance.

    (a) Any responsible party who fails, without sufficient cause, to properly provide for removal or remedial action pursuant to a final order of the director of the department of environmental management may be liable to the state for punitive damages in an amount at least equal to, and not more than, three (3) times the amount of any costs incurred by the state as a result of the failure to take proper action, in addition to liability for any response costs incurred by the state as a result of the failure to take action. The state is authorized to commence a civil action against any person who fails to take proper action to recover the punitive damages, which shall be in addition to any costs recovered from that person.

   (b) Any money received by the state pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the environmental response fund established pursuant to chapter 19.1 of this title.