AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT (Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload of employees assigned to monitor those checkout stations.)

S2342

2026 -- S 2342
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE
CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT

Introduced By:
Senators Lawson, LaMountain, and Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Commerce
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 28 of the General Laws entitled "LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 61
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RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT
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28-61-1. Short title.
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This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout
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Stations Act”.
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28-61-2. Applicability.
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This act shall apply to all grocery stores in this state that offer shoppers the use of self-
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service checkout stations.
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28-61-3. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases are defined as follows:
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(1) “Department” means the department of labor and training.
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(2) “Groceries” means
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(i) Any raw or processed food or beverage intended for human consumption except
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alcoholic beverages and marijuana products;
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(ii) Prescription and over-the-counter drugs and related personal care and hygiene items,
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when sold by a retailer that also sells food and beverages; and

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(iii) Miscellaneous household maintenance items including, but not limited to, laundry
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detergent and dishwashing soap, when sold by a retailer that also sells food and beverages.
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(3) “Grocery store” means a business that earns the majority of its gross income from the
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retail sale of groceries.
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(4) “Manual checkout station” means a checkout station at which a human operator assists
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shoppers by scanning, bagging, and accepting payment for purchases.
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(5) “Retail clerk” means an employee whose primary responsibility is assisting shoppers
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with scanning, bagging, and receiving payment for purchases.
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(6) “Retail sale” means the sale of groceries to a shopper for personal use or consumption;
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provided, such use is not for the purpose of resale.
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(7) “Self-service checkout” means an automated process that enables shoppers to scan, bag,
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and pay for their purchases without human assistance.
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28-61-4. Restrictions on self-service checkout stations.
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(a) Grocery stores shall not have more than eight (8) self-service checkout stations
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operating at any one time per location.
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(b) Grocery stores with self-service checkout stations shall have a minimum of one manual
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checkout station in operation for every two (2) self-service checkout stations in operation.
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(c) No more than two (2) self-service checkout stations may be simultaneously monitored
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by any one employee. Further, an employee shall be relieved of all other duties when monitoring
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any self-service checkout station including, but not limited to, operating a manual checkout station.
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28-61-5. Rulemaking authority.
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The department shall have the primary authority to promulgate rules, regulations, and
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penalties to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
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28-61-6. Violations.
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(a) Fines for multiple violations made by the same grocery store at the same location or
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different locations shall be equal to wages for one eight (8) hour shift based on the highest wage
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for hourly retail clerks for each day on which there is a violation.
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(b) Any employee may file a complaint with the department alleging a violation of this
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chapter, free from fear of retaliation. Any employee of a grocery store who alleges retaliation by
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their employer for submitting a complaint alleging violation(s) of this chapter may bring a cause of
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action in superior court.
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(c) If a grocery store does not comply with the provisions of this chapter after thirty (30)
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days of receiving notice of a violation of this chapter, such non-compliance shall be considered an
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unlawful act punishable in accordance with §§ 6-13-2 and 6-13.1-5.

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(d) A consumer who alleges a violation of this chapter may file a complaint with the
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department. Retaliation against a consumer who files a complaint alleging violation of this chapter
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shall constitute an unlawful act punishable in accordance with §§ 6-13-2 and 6-13.1-5.
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28-61-7. Severability.
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If any part, section, or provision of this chapter is found unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid,
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such a finding will affect only that part, section or provision of this chapter and the remaining parts,
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sections, or provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE
CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT
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This act would limit grocery stores by capping the number of self-service checkout stations
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they can operate and mandating a minimum ratio of manual checkout stations to self-service
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checkout stations. Further, it limits the workload and additional duties an employer can assign to
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an employee that monitors self-service checkout stations.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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