R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-128.1 § 42-128.1-11

(a) The standards for lead hazard control and for lead hazard mitigation in pre-1978 housing
shall be considered basic housing standards and shall be enforceable through the provisions
of this chapter and through procedures established in chapter 24.2 of title 45 and chapter 24.3 of title 45.


(b) Minimum Housing Standards and Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code. In order to establish consistency between state and local programs pertaining to
enforcement of standards for housing and housing occupancy and to provide for broadly
available, multiple means of identifying instances of noncompliance with this chapter
and enforcing the requirements of this chapter, the following provisions regarding
Minimum Housing Standards and the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code shall be
effective:


(1) The ordinances, rules, and regulations for "Minimum Housing Standards" adopted pursuant
to § 45-24.2-3 shall, on or before November 1, 2005, include provisions for lead hazard control.


(2) The Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code, established by chapter 24.3 of title 45, shall, effective November 1, 2005, include provisions consistent with a continuing
and ongoing responsibility for lead hazard mitigation as required by the department
of health standards.


(c) In any private action where a property owner is found to have violated § 42-128.1-1 et seq., or any rules or regulations derived therefrom, the property owner is subject
to damages, which may include double or treble the actual damages found, as well as
reasonable attorneys' fees. Nothing herein should be construed as excluding other
remedies in law or equity.