R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-9-18: Disinfection of imported goods.

The city or town council of a city or town where a vessel as described in this chapter arrives shall appoint suitable persons to take effectual care that all goods, wares, and merchandise imported in that vessel which they think may hold and communicate the infection or contagion are landed in some suitable place to be appointed by the council and cleansed in the manner directed by the council before they are permitted to be brought into any house, shop, or warehouse, other than that in which they are cleansed.