2023 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 42 - State Affairs and Government
Chapter 42-156 - Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification Act
Section 42-156-4. - Duties and responsibilities.

§ 42-156-4. Duties and responsibilities.

(a) The Task Force shall coordinate joint efforts to combat the underground economy and employee misclassification. The Task Force shall:

(1) Foster voluntary compliance with the law by educating business owners and employees about applicable requirements;

(2) Protect the health, safety and benefit rights of workers;

(3) Restore competitive equality for law-abiding businesses; and

(4) Identify industries and geographic areas where evidence shows workers are most likely to be mistakenly or deliberately misclassified or are victims of wage theft and engage in proactive and particular efforts, including but not limited to proactive enforcement strategies, to reach those sectors where workers are least likely to report such violations.

(b) In addition to the duties and responsibilities set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the task force, working with the department of labor and training, shall institute an information campaign to educate the public, including but not limited to business owners, employers, and employees, regarding the changes in state law regarding payment of wages and in particular the new and enhanced civil and criminal penalties established in §§ 28-14-17, 28-14-19, and 28-14-19.1, which changes are set to be in effect January 1, 2024.

History of Section.
P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 8, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 244, § 2, effective June 22, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 245, § 2, effective June 22, 2023.