This bill makes several amendments to the current law on hazardous waste management in Rhode Island. It adds a definition for "fill" and specifies that hazardous waste does not include waste that is recycled as legitimate recycled hazardous waste. The bill also increases the criminal penalties for violations of hazardous waste management laws, including refusing to obey or knowingly violating an order issued by the director. It prohibits the disposal of hazardous wastes at landfills that cannot prevent the endangerment of underground drinking water sources or designated aquifers, and it prohibits the operation of a hazardous waste disposal facility without a valid permit and transportation of hazardous wastes without a valid permit. Violations of these provisions are deemed felonies.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of hazardous waste as fill on any construction site project. Anyone who knowingly uses or transports hazardous waste as fill on a construction site project, or who reasonably should know that the fill is hazardous waste, would be guilty of a felony. The bill also establishes punishments for various violations related to hazardous waste management, including transporting hazardous waste without a permit, treating or storing hazardous waste without a permit, and failing to prepare a manifest for the transportation of hazardous waste. It also establishes a process for determining the cost of restoring areas where hazardous waste was unlawfully stored, treated, or disposed of, and allows the court to order the defendant to pay for the restoration costs. The bill also allows for treble damages to be awarded in cases where an individual willfully and knowingly used hazardous waste as fill in violation of the law.