The bill amends Title 6 of the General Laws by adding a new chapter, CHAPTER 61, which establishes 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 retail sale of groceries and primarily sells household foodstuffs for off-site consumption. The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as "manual checkout station," "retail sale," and "self-service checkout."

The legislation imposes restrictions on grocery stores, limiting the number of self-service checkout stations to a maximum of six per location. Additionally, it requires grocery stores with self-service checkout stations to maintain a minimum of one operational manual checkout station for every two self-service checkout stations.

Enforcement of these regulations will be managed by the consumer protection unit of the Department of Attorney General, which is granted primary authority to enforce the chapter's restrictions and is empowered to enact necessary rules and regulations. The bill establishes fines for violations, with the first and second offenses resulting in a $500 fine, while third and subsequent violations incur a $1,000 fine. Furthermore, it allows employees to bring a cause of action in superior court for alleged retaliation by their employer for making complaints about violations of this chapter, and it permits consumers to file complaints with the consumer protection unit.

The act will take effect upon passage.