2017 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 23 - Health and Safety
Chapter 23-23.1 - Air Pollution Episode Control
Section 23-23.1-8 - Enforcement of orders.

§ 23-23.1-8. Enforcement of orders.

(a) The orders of the governor shall be enforced by the department of environmental management, the state council of defense, state and local police, and air pollution enforcement personnel forces. Those enforcing any governor's order shall require no further authority or warrant in executing it than the issuance of the order itself. Those authorized to enforce those orders may use such reasonable force that is required in the enforcement of those orders, and may take such reasonable steps that are required to assure compliance with those orders including, but without limiting the generality of the previous statement, the following:

(1) Entering any property or establishment, commercial, industrial, or residential, believed to be violating the order (excepting single or double family homes or any dwelling unit within a multiple dwelling unit larger than a double family home) and, if a request does not produce compliance, causing compliance with the order;

(2) Stopping, detouring, rerouting, and prohibiting motor vehicle travel and traffic;

(3) Disconnecting incinerator or other types of combustion facilities;

(4) Terminating all burning activities;

(5) Closing down or restricting the use of any business, commercial, retail, manufacturing, industrial, or other establishment.

(b) Where any person authorized to enforce this order believes or suspects it is being violated in a single or double family residence or within the dwelling portion of a larger multiple dwelling unit, the residence or dwelling portion may be entered only upon obtaining a search warrant from any judge having power to issue one.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1971, ch. 137, § 1: G.L. 1956, § 23-25.1-8; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1.)