Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-38.3-4. Powers and duties of the attorney general

(a) Under this chapter, the department of attorney general's consumer protection unit has the power to make and conduct any investigations that it deems proper to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. The consumer protection unit will accept complaints against a repair shop up to ninety (90) days or three thousand (3,000) miles after completion of the repairs, whichever comes first. All complaints that are signed shall be reviewed or investigated except those that fall outside the jurisdiction of this chapter. The consumer protection unit may assist in settlement of disputes between the repair shop and the complainant.

(b) The attorney general may establish, by rule or regulation, criteria upon which the necessity for investigation or complaints is determined. This criteria may include, but not be limited to, the alleged financial loss to the complainant; the indication of a recurring incidence of fraud or deceptive practices; or the essential nature of the service provided to the safe operation of the vehicle.

(c) The attorney general may prescribe any rules and regulations that he or she deems necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter.