Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-41-25. Rule of decision--Certification of questions to board

Final decisions of the board of review and the principles of law declared in their support shall be binding in all subsequent proceedings involving similar questions, unless expressly or impliedly overruled by a later decision of the board or of a court of competent jurisdiction. Final decisions of appeal tribunals and the principles of law declared in their support shall be binding on the director and shall further be persuasive authority in subsequent appeal tribunal proceedings. If in any subsequent proceedings, the director or an appeal tribunal has serious doubt as to the correctness of any principles previously declared by an appeal tribunal or by the board, or if there is an apparent inconsistency or conflict in final decisions of comparable authority, then the findings of fact in that case may be certified, together with the question of law involved, to the board. After giving notice and reasonable opportunity for a hearing upon the law to all parties to the proceedings, the board shall certify to the director or appeal tribunal and the parties in interest, its answer to the question submitted, or the board, in its discretion, may remove to itself the entire proceeding as provided in § 28-41-23 and render its decision upon the entire case.