R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-31: Responsibility for administration — General powers of director.

It shall be the duty of the director to administer chapters 42 — 44 of this title subject to the provisions of those chapters; and he or she shall have the power and authority to:

(1) Enforce all the reasonable rules and regulations that may be adopted as provided elsewhere in those chapters and all orders necessary or suitable to that end;

(2) Employ any persons;

(3) Make expenditures;

(4) Require reports; and

(5) Take any other action, within his or her means and consistent with those chapters, necessary or suitable to that end.