§ 28-48-1 - Definitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 28-48-1

   § 28-48-1  Definitions. – As used in this chapter, the following words and terms have the followingmeanings:

   (1) "Director" means the director of the department of laborand training.

   (2) "Employee" means any full-time employee who works anaverage of thirty (30) or more hours per week.

   (3) "Employer" means and includes:

   (i) any person, sole proprietorship, partnership,corporation, or other business entity that employs fifty (50) or more employees,

   (ii) the state of Rhode Island, including the executive,legislative, and judicial branches, and any state department or agency thatemploys any employees,

   (iii) any city or town or municipal agency that employsthirty (30) or more employees, and

   (iv) any person who acts directly or indirectly in theinterest of any employer.

   (4) "Family leave" means leave by reason of the seriousillness of a family member.

   (5) "Family member" means a parent, spouse, child,mother-in-law, father-in-law, or the employee himself or herself, and withrespect to employees of the state as defined in subsection (3)(ii), shallinclude domestic partners as defined in § 36-12-1(3).

   (6) "Parental leave" means leave by reason of the birth of achild of an employee or the placement of a child sixteen (16) years of age orless with an employee in connection with the adoption of the child by theemployee.

   (7) "Serious illness" means a disabling physical or mentalillness, injury, impairment, or condition that involves inpatient care in ahospital, a nursing home, or a hospice, or outpatient care requiring continuingtreatment or supervision by a health care provider.