Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-19.12-1. Legislative findings

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that the health and welfare of the citizens of the state require regulation of persons and legal entities engaged in the generation, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of regulated medical waste.

(b) The general assembly finds that the public is concerned over human health risks, environmental problems at Rhode Island shoreline areas, and economic losses caused by improper management and disposal of medical waste and that the public perceives these situations to be unacceptable.  Therefore, the general assembly finds there is a need to more closely regulate medical waste and to provide additional enforcement vehicles as well as greater penalties for the improper handling of medical waste.