The proposed bill introduces a new chapter, CHAPTER 61, titled "Protecting Rhode Islanders from Coercive Economic Tactics at Grocery Stores," to Title 6 of the General Laws concerning commercial law. This chapter, known as the Price Tags Act, aims to protect consumers in Rhode Island from coercive economic tactics employed by grocery suppliers and retailers.

The chapter establishes definitions for key terms such as "covered goods," "covered retailers," "covered suppliers," "dominant covered retailers," and "pricing differential." It outlines the obligations of covered suppliers to ensure price fairness, specifically prohibiting them from failing to extend the same terms of sale to all covered retailers and wholesalers purchasing covered goods on the same volume unit basis. Additionally, suppliers are required to provide anonymized terms of sale from contracts with dominant covered retailers upon request.

The bill also details enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General or affected parties to file suit for injunctions and civil penalties for violations. It includes provisions for liability, stating that a covered supplier or dominant covered retailer may be held liable for violations committed by contracted third parties. Furthermore, it provides defenses for suppliers and retailers, ensuring they are not liable if they can demonstrate that pricing differences were due to legitimate business practices or pressures from dominant retailers.

The act emphasizes that it does not limit or supersede existing antitrust laws and includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any portion of the chapter is found unlawful, the remaining provisions will remain in effect. The act will take effect upon passage.