§ 23-1-1 - General functions of department. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 23-1-1

   § 23-1-1  General functions of department.– The department of health shall take cognizance of the interests of life andhealth among the peoples of the state; shall make investigations into thecauses of disease, the prevalence of epidemics and endemics among the people,the sources of mortality, the effect of localities, employments and all otherconditions and circumstances on the public health, and do all in its power toascertain the causes and the best means for the prevention and control ofdiseases or conditions detrimental to the public health, and adopt proper andexpedient measures to prevent and control diseases and conditions detrimentalto the public health in the state. It shall publish and circulate, from time totime, information that the director may deem to be important and useful fordiffusion among the people of the state, and shall investigate and give advicein relation to those subjects relating to public health that may be referred toit by the general assembly or by the governor when the general assembly is notin session, or when requested by any city or town. The department shall adoptand promulgate rules and regulations that it deems necessary, not inconsistentwith law, to carry out the purposes of this section; provided, however, thatthe department shall not require all nonprofit volunteer ambulance, rescueservice, and volunteer fire departments to have two (2) or more certifiedemergency medical technicians manning ambulances or rescue vehicles.