Section 28-9.7-9 - Hearings(a) The arbitration board shall, acting through its chair, call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the date of appointment of the chairperson, and shall, acting through its chairperson, give at least seven (7) days' notice in writing to each of the other two (2) arbitrators, the bargaining agent, and the state authorities of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence. The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination.(b) The hearing conducted by the arbitrators shall be concluded within twenty (20) days of the time of commencement, and within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearings, the arbitrators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the bargaining agent or its attorney or otherwise delegated representative and to the state authorities. A majority decision of the arbitrators shall be binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities.R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9.7-9
P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.