The bill amends Chapter 42-9 of the General Laws to establish a new section, 42-9-20, which creates a Bureau of Public Protection within the Department of the Attorney General. This bureau will be led by a designated assistant attorney general and will consist of at least four units focused on consumer protection and antitrust enforcement, health care regulation and access, environmental protection and energy regulation, and the protection of civil rights. The attorney general will have the authority to appoint additional staff as needed and assign specific statutory positions to the bureau, including health care advocate, insurance advocate, civil rights advocate, lead advocate, environmental advocate, and antitrust division.

The bill grants the attorney general the authority to investigate and take legal action against individuals or entities engaged in "persistent illegality," defined as an ongoing or continuing course of illegal conduct, or "repeated illegal acts," which means more than one illegal act or an illegal act affecting more than one person, in the carrying on, conducting, or transaction of business or governmental activity. The attorney general may apply to the superior court for orders to enjoin such illegal conduct and seek restitution, damages, and penalties as set forth in existing law, and may also cancel any certificate filed with the secretary of state in appropriate cases.

Additionally, the attorney general is authorized to take proof, make determinations of relevant facts, and issue civil investigative demands to any person as defined in existing law. This authority may precede any application made under this section and shall not terminate due to any action or proceeding brought by the attorney general.

The bill also specifies that it does not apply to entities or individuals subject to certain exemptions. Furthermore, the Department of the Attorney General is required to prepare and submit an annual report to the speaker of the house and the president of the senate by April 1 of each year. This report must include the number of investigations conducted, applications made to the superior court, outcomes of those applications, and any recommendations or noteworthy information deemed relevant by the department.

This act will take effect upon passage.