(a) There is established in the state of Rhode Island a workers' compensation court consisting of a chief judge and nine (9) associate judges having the jurisdiction that may be necessary to carry out its duties under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, chapters 29 — 38 of this title and the provisions of § 45-21.2-9, except those provisions of the act which establish violations of the act as crimes, offenses, or misdemeanors. The jurisdiction of those crimes, offenses, or misdemeanors shall remain in the district and superior courts as otherwise provided by law.
(b) The court shall be a court of record with the same authority and power to subpoena and also the same authority and power to cite and punish for civil contempt as exist in the superior court. The court shall have a seal, and the members, administrator, deputy administrator, and assistant clerks of the court shall have the authority and power to administer oaths and affirmations.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 300, art. 3, § 3; P.L. 1954, ch. 3297, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-30-1; P.L. 1965, ch. 93, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 28, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 507, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 132, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 205, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 42, § 6; P.L. 2011, ch. 151, art. 12, § 4.