The bill amends the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" by introducing a new section that prohibits landlords, property owners, property managers, agents, or individuals acting on their behalf from using algorithmic devices to determine or suggest rent amounts for residential tenants, effective January 1, 2027. An "algorithmic device" is defined as any software, tool, or model that utilizes one or more computer-based algorithms, including machine learning or artificial intelligence, to perform calculations concerning 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.

The bill specifies that nonpublic competitor data includes information derived from or about other landlords, renters, occupancy, or pricing that is not widely available to the general public, such as actual current rent prices from nonpublic sources and occupancy rates from proprietary data. The term "rent" encompasses the total consideration, fees, or charges a residential tenant is required to pay for occupancy of a residential premises under any rental agreement.

Exemptions to this prohibition include rent or income limits established by federal, state, or local housing programs where algorithmic tools are used solely to comply with program guidelines; tools that produce only historical reporting of aggregate market data published no more frequently than monthly, provided no individualized rent recommendations are made; and bona fide internal record-keeping or accounting systems that do not influence or set rent amounts.

Violations of this section are deemed unfair or deceptive acts or practices 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 enforcement of this section, including definitions, exemptions, recordkeeping requirements, and compliance processes. The act will take effect upon passage.