515 R.I. Code R. 10-00-2 § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.16
Decisions and Orders
Operative Text
A. Content. Any Decision and Order of the Commission issued after a hearing shall contain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a ruling on each proposed finding of fact submitted by a party. B. Issuance of Decisions and Orders. Unless specifically provided otherwise in this Part, the following procedures shall apply to all Decisions and Orders issued by the Commission: 1. At least three (3) Commissioners must participate in the decision on a case. A majority of the Commissioners must agree on the Decision and Order. 2. If the Commission determines that the respondent has engaged in, or is engaging in, any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission shall serve on such respondent a Decision and Order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and requiring such respondent to cease and desist from such unlawful discriminatory practice and to take such further affirmative action as will effectuate the purposes of the Rhode Island anti-discrimination laws, including, but not limited to: a. hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading of employees with or without back pay; b. admission or restoration to union membership or to training practices with utilization of objective criteria for admission; c. admission to place of public accommodation; d. sale or lease of housing accommodations and lending of money upon equal terms and conditions, and, e. a requirement for reports of the manner of compliance, payment of complainant’s attorney’s fees, expert fees, other litigation expenses and compensatory damages. 3. With respect to charges filed under the Fair Housing Practices Act, upon a determination that a respondent has engaged in, or is engaging in, any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission may also order the respondent to pay a civil penalty as provided by law and may also order the respondent to pay the complainant damages sustained by the unlawful discriminatory practice. 4. In case a respondent is operating by virtue of any license or permit issued by the state or agency thereof, if the Commission determines after hearing that the respondent has engaged in or is engaging in any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission shall send a copy of its Decision and Order to the licensing or contracting authority. 5. At any time in its discretion, the Commission may investigate whether the terms of the Decision and Order are being complied with. Upon a determination that the terms of the Decision and Order are not being complied with, the Commission may take appropriate action to assure compliance including, but not limited to, petitioning the Superior Court of Rhode Island for its enforcement. 6. The Commission with the consent of the respondent may enter a consent Order at any time after service of a complaint. Such consent Orders shall include an express provision that respondent intends to be legally bound thereby. Consent orders shall have the same force and effect as a Decision and Order of the Commission entered after hearing. Such consent Orders shall waive public hearing and may or may not make findings of fact or conclusions of law. C. Dismissal. If the Commission finds that the respondent has not engaged in any unlawful discriminatory practices against the complainant or others, it shall mail the Decision and Order dismissing the complaint to the complainant, respondent and the Attorney General. D. Service of Orders. Copies of Decisions and Orders shall be served on all parties, and, where appropriate, the Attorney General and the state licensing or contracting authority. E. Filing of Orders. All Decisions and Orders issued by the Commission after a hearing shall be filed in the office of the Commission and shall be open to public inspection during regular office hours of the Commission.
Section 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.16 governs how Rhode Island's Commission on Human Rights issues formal Decisions and Orders following discrimination hearings. When the Commission finds that unlawful discriminatory practices occurred, it must issue a written order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and it may require the responsible party to stop the discriminatory conduct, take corrective steps, and pay damages or civil penalties—particularly in fair housing cases under the Fair Housing Practices Act. If no violation is found, the complaint is formally dismissed and all parties are notified. All orders are public records available for inspection at the Commission's offices.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.16, property owners and managers who are named as respondents in a Commission proceeding should understand that a formal Decision and Order—if issued against them—can require cessation of discriminatory practices, affirmative corrective action, payment of a complainant's attorney's fees and compensatory damages, and, in fair housing cases, civil penalties. Operators who hold state licenses or permits should be aware that the Commission is required to notify the relevant licensing authority if a violation is found. Compliant operators generally maintain documented, objective, and consistently applied criteria for housing decisions, and may also resolve matters through a consent order at any stage after a complaint is served.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.16 establishes that tenants or applicants who file a discrimination complaint with the Commission have the right to a written Decision and Order that addresses their case, including specific findings of fact and legal conclusions. If a violation is found under the Fair Housing Practices Act, the Commission may order the respondent to pay the complainant damages as well as civil penalties, and can also require payment of attorney's fees and litigation expenses. Tenants who believe a Decision and Order is not being followed may be aware that § 2.16 authorizes the Commission to investigate compliance and, if necessary, petition the Rhode Island Superior Court for enforcement—tenant-rights organizations can help explain what options may be available in such circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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