The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 6-13, titled "Unfair Sales Practices," to introduce new definitions and regulations regarding pricing and discounts in retail sales. It defines "digital coupon" as any store coupon, rebate, or similar instrument presented solely through the Internet and obtainable only through a consumer's personal computing device, providing a discounted price or benefit redeemable at the physical location where the goods or services are offered for sale.

The bill mandates that whenever food and related items are advertised for sale at or below the regular price or at a percentage off the regular price through the redemption of a digital coupon, retailers must provide purchasers with the ability to obtain the same discounted price or benefit through alternative methods that do not require the use of a personal computing device. These alternative methods may include paper coupons, electronic kiosks, or the application of the discounted price or benefit at the point-of-sale upon the request of the consumer. Such in-store alternatives must be readily available and easily accessible to consumers, with electronic kiosks prominently displayed in the store.

The bill also includes a severability clause, stating that if any portion of the section is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, such finding shall not affect any other portion of the section not specifically found to be unlawful. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5553: 6-13-1, 6-13-11