§ 28-18-3. Issuance of homework licenses. (a) The distribution of industrial homework as defined in § 28-18-2(4) is prohibited except where licenses and certificates have been obtained from the director of labor and training.

(b) The director of labor and training may issue a license as provided in this chapter only if the employer maintains an establishment in this state in which persons are employed on operations the same as or similar to the proposed homework operations and if the homeworker is paid at least the same rate as that paid to workers on the same or similar operations in the establishment.

(c) The director of labor and training shall issue licenses to employers and certificates permitting industrial homework to industrial homeworkers who have reached the age of fifty (50) years, or who are physically disabled and not able to go to the employer's place of business to work.

(d) The director of labor and training shall issue licenses to employers and certificates to industrial homeworkers regardless of whether the homeworkers are physically disabled or have reached the age of fifty (50) years, in any industry where homework is customary in Rhode Island, permitting the industrial homework.

(e) The director of labor and training shall not issue the licenses in any cases or industries:

(1) Where it would unduly jeopardize the factory workers in the industry both as to wages and working conditions;

(2) It would unduly injure the health and welfare of the industrial homeworker;

(3) It would unduly jeopardize the public health and safety to have those industrial homework products distributed; or

(4) In any industry where experience has proven that homework in that industry is not susceptible of effective regulation.

History of Section. (P.L. 1936, ch. 2328, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 293, § 3; P.L. 1948, ch. 2110, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-18-3; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 63; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 63.)