Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-28.13-34. Installation of smoke detectors in foster care units and in group care units

(a) All group care residential units in which a child is placed by the department of children, youth, and families or by any private agency, society, or institution licensed to place children shall be equipped with a hard wire smoke detector system in accordance with the regulations established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review.  All of the residential units in which children are placed shall be equipped with a hard wire smoke detector system listed and/or approved by underwriters factory mutual or some other nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the state fire marshal, except any camp or tourist camp as defined in § 44-18-7(e).  Each battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system shall be inspected by the department of children, youth, and families at least once each year.  Installation of hard wire smoke detectors shall be completed on or before January 1, 1995, for those group care residential units not currently in compliance with this section.

(b) All foster care units in which a foster child is placed by the department of children, youth, and families or any private agency, society or institution licensed to place children shall be equipped with either a battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system.  All other provisions of this section shall otherwise apply to foster homes.

(c) In addition to the locations specified in the regulations established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review, approved smoke detectors required by this section shall be located in all common hallways.  Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.