Subject to the exception specified in § 27-9-9, each filing shall be on file for a waiting period of thirty (30) days before it becomes effective, which period may be extended by the commissioner for an additional period not to exceed thirty (30) days if the commissioner gives written notice within that waiting period to the insurer or rating organization which made the filing that he or she needs that additional time for the consideration of the filing. Upon written application by the insurer or rating organization, the commissioner may authorize a filing that the commissioner has reviewed to become effective before the expiration of the waiting period or any extension of it. A filing shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this chapter and to become effective unless disapproved as provided in this chapter by the commissioner within the waiting period or any extension of it; provided, that if the commissioner gives written notice to the insurer or rating organization within the waiting period or any extension that he or she will hold a hearing on the filing, the filing shall not become effective before or until the commissioner issues his or her decision. Upon giving that notice the commissioner shall also give public notice of the hearing by causing a notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing stating the name of the insurer or rating organization which has made the filing and including a general description of the subject matter and sending a copy of that notice to the consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general. The commissioner shall hold a hearing on major filings. The hearing shall be held and a decision issued by the commissioner as soon as reasonably possible.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-9-10