Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 110 - Attorney General
Rhode Island Code of Regulations, Title 110, is dedicated to the Attorney General's Office. This title outlines the administrative rules and regulations under which the Rhode Island Attorney General operates, reflecting its various responsibilities and divisions.
The Rhode Island Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer, elected by the people. The office has broad powers and duties, encompassing both criminal and civil legal matters on behalf of Rhode Islanders.
Here's a breakdown of the typical chapters found within OAR Title 110, based on available information:
Chapter 10 - General: This chapter likely contains general procedural rules, definitions, and overarching principles that apply to the entire Attorney General's office.
Chapter 20 - Bureau of Criminal Identification: This chapter would detail the rules and regulations concerning the operation of the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), which serves as the central repository for criminal records in Rhode Island. This could include rules related to background checks, fingerprinting, data management, and the licensing and regulation of private security guard businesses.
Chapter 30 - Civil Division: This chapter would cover the rules governing the Civil Division of the Attorney General's office. The Civil Division represents state agencies, departments, and commissions in litigation. A notable recent addition to this division's rules is the Pre-merger Notification Rule for Medical-Practice Groups. This rule requires Rhode Island-based health services providers to notify the Attorney General's Office of certain mergers, consolidations, or acquisitions to allow for investigation into potentially anti-competitive combinations and behavior in the healthcare market.
Chapter 40 - Consumer Protection Unit: This chapter outlines the regulations related to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit. This unit is responsible for protecting consumers from deceptive practices, fraud, and other unfair business activities. The rules here might cover complaint procedures, investigations, and enforcement actions.
Chapter 50 - Criminal Division: This chapter details the rules and procedures for the Criminal Division. The Attorney General's office is responsible for prosecuting all felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals, as well as misdemeanor cases brought by state law enforcement agencies. This chapter would govern aspects of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and related legal processes.
Chapter 60 - Public Records: This chapter would establish the procedures and rules for requesting and accessing public records from the Attorney General's Office, in accordance with Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act.
Overall Responsibilities of the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office:
Beyond these specific regulatory chapters, the Attorney General's office broadly:
Prosecutes Criminal Cases: This includes felonies and misdemeanor appeals, making it a significant force in state law enforcement.
Represents the State: Acts as the chief legal counsel for the State of Rhode Island, representing state agencies, departments, and commissions in various legal proceedings and offering legal advice.
Protects Consumers: Investigates and takes action against deceptive business practices, fraud, and other consumer-related issues.
Defends Civil Rights: Works to uphold civil rights and address discrimination.
Fights Public Corruption: Investigates and prosecutes cases of public corruption.
Protects Workers and the Environment: Engages in legal actions to protect the rights of workers and ensure environmental compliance.
Oversees the Bureau of Criminal Identification: Manages and maintains the state's central repository for criminal records.
Addresses Healthcare Market Concentration: Through rules like the pre-merger notification for medical practice groups, the office aims to ensure fair competition and protect consumers in the healthcare industry.
Issues Legal Guidance: Provides guidance to various entities (e.g., nursing homes, law enforcement, landlords) on a range of legal topics.
The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office website (riag.ri.gov) and the Rhode Island Department of State's Code of Regulations portal (rules.sos.ri.gov) are the best official sources for the most current and detailed versions of these regulations.
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