The bill amends Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws, known as the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act," by introducing a new section, 34-18-63, which prohibits landlords, property owners, property managers, agents, or any person acting on their behalf from using algorithmic devices to determine or suggest rent amounts for residential tenants. The bill defines "algorithmic device" as any device, software, tool, or model that uses one or more computer-based algorithms, including machine learning or artificial intelligence, to perform calculations concerning local or statewide rent amounts, occupancy trends, or other rental market data for the primary purpose of advising, recommending, or determining the amount of rent a landlord may charge, including adjustments to existing rent, that is not widely publicly accessible.

Effective January 1, 2027, landlords will be barred from employing such devices that incorporate, use, or were trained using nonpublic competitor data for setting or adjusting rent. The bill outlines specific exemptions, including cases where algorithmic tools are used to comply with federal, state, or local housing program guidelines, for historical reporting of aggregate market data published no more frequently than monthly (provided no individualized rent recommendations are made), or for bona fide internal record-keeping or accounting systems that do not influence or set rent amounts.

Violations of this prohibition will be deemed an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6 ("deceptive trade practices"). The Rhode Island attorney general, or any person aggrieved by a violation, may seek relief including equitable relief and civil penalties, as appropriate, under 6-13.1-5 et seq. The attorney general is also authorized to promulgate regulations necessary for the enforcement of this section, including definitions, exemptions, recordkeeping requirements, and compliance processes. The act will take effect upon passage.