The bill amends Title 6 of the General Laws by adding a new chapter, Chapter 61, which specifically addresses regulations for grocery stores in Rhode Island. It defines a "grocery store" as a retail establishment that earns the majority of its gross income from the sale of groceries and primarily sells household foodstuffs for off-site consumption. The bill establishes restrictions on the number of self-service checkout stations, limiting them to a maximum of six per location. Additionally, it mandates that for every two self-service checkout stations, there must be at least one operational manual checkout station available for customers.

Enforcement of these regulations will be the responsibility of the consumer protection unit (CPU) of the Department of Attorney General, which is authorized to enact necessary rules and regulations. The bill stipulates fines for violations, with the first and second offenses resulting in a $500 fine, and subsequent violations incurring a $1,000 fine. It also allows employees to take legal action against employers for retaliation related to complaints about violations, and consumers can file complaints with the CPU. The act is set to take effect upon passage.