R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-24-4
The Rhode Island commission for human rights is empowered and directed, as provided in this section, to prevent any person from violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-24-1 - 11-24-3; provided, that before instituting a formal hearing it shall attempt by informal methods of conference, persuasion, and conciliation to induce compliance with those sections. Upon the commission's own initiative or whenever an aggrieved individual or an organization chartered for the purpose of combating discrimination or racism or of safeguarding civil liberties, or rights of persons with disabilities (that individual or organization being subsequently referred to as the complainant), makes a charge to the commission that any person, agency, bureau, corporation, or association, subsequently referred to as the respondent, has violated or is violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-24-1 - 11-24-3 the commission may proceed in the same manner and with the same powers as provided in §§ 28-5-16 - 28-5-26 and the provisions of §§ 28-5-13 and 28-5-16 - 28-5-36 as to the powers, duties and rights of the commission, its members, hearing examiners, the complainant, respondent, interviewer and the court shall apply in any proceedings under this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-24-4