Rhode Island General Laws Title 42. State Affairs and Government § 42-17.1-3. Construction of references

(a) Whenever in any general or public law the words “ department of agriculture and conservation,” “ bureau of markets,” “ division of conservation,” “ division of entomology and plant industry,” “ division of forests,” “ division of fish and game,” “ division of parks and recreation,” “ division of harbors and rivers,” “ division of boating safety,” “ division of enforcement,” “ division of coastal resources,” or “ department of natural resources” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “ department of environmental management.”

(b) Provided, further, that whenever in chapters 3 -- 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18 and 19 of title 4 entitled “ Animals and Animal Husbandry” the words “ director of health” or “ department of health” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “ director of environmental management” and “ department of environmental management” respectively.

(c) Provided, further, that whenever in any general or public law the words “ department of the environment” shall appear, the same shall be deemed to refer to and mean the “ department of environmental management” or where applicable the “ director of the department of environmental management.”

(d) Provided, further, that whenever in any general law or public law the words “ conservation officer” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean “ environmental police officer.”