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 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, healthcare regulation and access, environmental protection and energy regulation, and civil rights protection. The attorney general has the authority to appoint additional staff as needed and assign specific statutory positions to the bureau, including healthcare 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 course of illegal conduct, or "repeated illegal acts," which refers to more than one illegal act affecting multiple persons. The attorney general can apply to the superior court for orders to enjoin such illegal acts and seek restitution, damages, and penalties, as well as cancel any relevant certificates filed with the secretary of state. The authority provided in this section does not extend to enforcing criminal laws.

Additionally, the attorney general is authorized to take proof, make determinations of relevant facts, and issue civil investigative demands as necessary. The bill specifies that it does not apply to entities or individuals subject to certain exemptions. The Department of 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, detailing the number of investigations conducted, applications made to the superior court, outcomes of those applications, and any recommendations or noteworthy information. The act will take effect upon passage.