Rhode Island General Laws Title 21. Food and Drugs § 21-31-20. Regulations promulgated by director--Hearing--Notice

(a) The authority to promulgate regulations for the efficient enforcement of this chapter is vested in the director of health.  The director of health is authorized to make the regulations promulgated under this chapter conform, insofar as practicable, with those promulgated under the federal act.

(b) Hearings authorized or required by this chapter shall be conducted by the director of health or any officer, agent, or employee that the director of health may designate for the purpose.

(c) Before promulgating any regulations contemplated by § 21-31-9, 21-31-11(10), 21-31-12, 21-31-15(a)(4), (6), (7), (8), and (11), or 21-31-19(b), the director of health shall give appropriate notice of the proposal and of the time and place for a hearing.  The regulation promulgated shall become effective on a date fixed by the director of health (which date shall not be prior to thirty (30) days after its promulgation).  The regulation may be amended or repealed in the same manner as is provided for its adoption, except that in the case of a regulation amending or repealing any regulation the director of health, to the extent that the director deems necessary in order to prevent undue hardship, may disregard the provisions regarding notice, hearing, or effective date in this subsection.