Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 110 - Attorney General
The Rhode Island Code of Regulations (RICR) Title 110 is dedicated to the Attorney General. The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Rhode Island, responsible for a wide array of duties including prosecuting criminal cases, representing state agencies, and protecting the interests of Rhode Islanders.
Therefore, the regulations under Title 110 reflect these broad responsibilities and outline the procedures and policies by which the Attorney General's office carries out its functions.
Here's a breakdown of the typical chapters you'd find within Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 110:
Chapter 10 - General: This chapter would likely contain general administrative rules applicable across the Attorney General's office. This might include procedural rules for public records requests, internal operational guidelines, or definitions relevant to the entire title. For example, it includes rules regarding a statewide policy for the use and operation of body-worn cameras by law enforcement.
Chapter 20 - Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI): This chapter focuses on the regulations related to the BCI, which is a division within the Attorney General's office. This would include rules concerning:
The collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal record information.
Background checks and fingerprinting procedures.
Regulations related to the licensing and regulation of the private security guard business, including inspections and audits.
Chapter 30 - Civil Division: This chapter pertains to the civil litigation and advisory functions of the Attorney General's office. A notable recent addition to this chapter is the Pre-merger Notification Rule for Medical-Practice Groups (110-RICR-30-00-5). This rule requires health services providers in Rhode Island to notify the Attorney General's office of certain mergers, consolidations, or acquisitions involving medical-practice groups (especially those resulting in a group of eight or more physicians/PAs/NPs, or those involving hospitals/hospital systems). This is part of the Attorney General's antitrust authority to monitor and potentially intervene in transactions that could be anti-competitive in the healthcare market.
Chapter 40 - Consumer Protection Unit: This chapter outlines the regulations related to the Attorney General's role in protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. This might include rules on:
Investigating consumer complaints.
Enforcement actions against businesses.
Consumer education initiatives.
Chapter 50 - Criminal Division: This chapter would detail the procedures and policies for the criminal prosecution functions of the Attorney General's office. This includes the prosecution of felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals, as well as grand jury investigations and other litigation efforts.
Chapter 60 - Public Records: While related to the Department of State's Public Records Administration, this chapter within the Attorney General's Title 110 would specifically address how the Attorney General's office handles public records requests directed to its own department, potentially outlining specific procedures or exemptions pertinent to their operations.
Key Role of the Rhode Island Attorney General:
The Rhode Island Attorney General is a constitutionally elected officer who serves as the state's chief legal officer and chief law enforcement officer. The regulations in Title 110 empower the Attorney General to:
Prosecute crimes: Oversee and conduct criminal prosecutions throughout the state.
Represent the state: Act as legal counsel for state agencies, departments, and commissions in litigation.
Protect public interest: Initiate legal action to safeguard the interests of Rhode Islanders, particularly in areas like consumer protection and antitrust.
Provide legal advice: Offer legal opinions and advice to state officers and agencies.
Oversee law enforcement functions: Manage the Bureau of Criminal Identification and ensure compliance with relevant laws, such as those governing private security and body-worn cameras.
Accessing the Regulations:
For the most current and official version of the Rhode Island Code of Regulations, including Title 110, it is always best to refer to the Rhode Island Department of State's official website (rules.sos.ri.gov). They maintain the Rhode Island Code of Regulations (RICR) and offer a searchable database. Websites like Justia and Cornell Law also provide access to the RICR, but the official state source is the definitive one and is most likely to be up-to-date.
Rhode Island Attorney General's Office Contact Information:
You can find contact details for specific divisions or general inquiries on the official website of the Rhode Island Attorney General: riag.ri.gov.
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