R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-26: Emergency health care.

(a) Every healthcare facility that has an emergency medical-care unit, including freestanding emergency-care facilities, shall provide to every person prompt, life-saving, medical-care treatment in an emergency, and a sexual-assault examination for victims of sexual assault, without discrimination on account of economic status or source of payment, and without delaying treatment for the purpose of a prior discussion of the source of payment unless the delay can be imposed without material risk to the health of the person.

(b) Violations of this section shall be reported to the director of the state department of health who shall investigate the violations as the director deems appropriate.