This bill makes several amendments to the current law on hazardous waste management in Rhode Island. It adds a definition for "fill" and clarifies 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 felony charges for refusing to obey or knowingly violating an order issued by the director, disposing of hazardous waste at unauthorized facilities, and operating or transporting hazardous waste without a valid permit.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of hazardous waste as fill on construction sites, with felony charges for anyone who knowingly uses or transports hazardous waste as fill or who reasonably should know that the fill is hazardous waste. The bill also includes provisions for the restoration of areas where hazardous wastes were unlawfully stored, treated, or disposed, with the court having the power to order the defendant to pay the cost of restoration. Treble damages may also be awarded if an individual willfully and knowingly uses soil containing hazardous waste as fill in violation of the law.