§ 2-1-11. Administration of oaths - Subpoena of witnesses and papers. The director of environmental management and the director of health have the power to administer oaths, summon and examine witnesses and order the production and examination of books, accounts, papers, records and documents in any proceeding within the jurisdiction of these directors. All subpoenas, and orders for the production of books, accounts, papers, records and documents shall be signed and issued by the directors and served as subpoenas in civil cases in the superior court as now served, and witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as provided for witnesses in civil cases in the superior court. If the person subpoenaed to attend before the directors fails to obey the command of the subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance before the directors, without reasonable cause, refuses to be sworn, or to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or if any person refuses to produce the books, accounts, papers, records and documents material to the issue, set forth in an order duly served on the person, the directors, as the case may be, may apply to any justice of the superior court for any county, upon proof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order returnable in not less than two (2) nor more than five (5) days, directing the person to show cause before the justice who made the order or any other justice, why the person should not be adjudged in contempt. Upon the return of the order, the justice before whom the matter is brought for a hearing shall examine under oath the person, and the person shall be given an opportunity to be heard, and if the justice determines that the person has refused without reasonable cause or legal excuse to be examined or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce books, accounts, papers, records and documents, material to the issue, which the person was ordered to bring or produce, the justice may forthwith commit the offender to jail, to remain until the person submits to do the act which the person was required to do, or is discharged according to law.

History of Section. (G.L.1923, ch. 241, § 38, as enacted by P.L. 1928, ch. 1181, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 209, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 2-1-11.)