Duties of the directors of the department of health and the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals - R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 23-17.8-9

The directors of the departments of health and behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals1 must (1) notify the attorney general upon receiving a report of abuse or neglect in a health care facility and update the attorney general regarding additional findings; (2) investigate the report; (3) determine whether patients or residents in the facility that is the subject of the report are at risk for physical or emotional injury; (4) report patient deaths to the attorney general and medical examiner if abuse or neglect are believed  to have contributed to the cause of death; and (5) maintain reports compiled pursuant to this section in a confidential manner.