WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 6282

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GROCERY STORES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 6 co-sponsors

Rhode Island limits self‑checkout to six per store and requires a one‑to‑one ratio of manual checkout stations to self‑checkouts to ensure cashier staffing.

04/30/2025 Introduced, referred to House Corporations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 6282

Summary — HB 6282 (LC002816) — Grocery Stores (Commercial Law — General Regulatory Provisions)

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to limit the use of self-service (self‑checkout) stations in grocery stores in order to preserve in-person cashier jobs and in‑store social interaction, reduce theft and data‑security risks, and address accessibility concerns for elderly and disabled shoppers. The preamble lists public‑policy findings about social connection, impacts on workers (wages, hours, benefits), disproportionate effects on people of color, and increased fraud associated with unmanned checkouts.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:
    • “Grocery store”: retail stores in Rhode Island earning the majority of gross income from retail sale of groceries (household foodstuffs for off‑site consumption).
    • “Self‑service checkout”: automated stations enabling shoppers to scan, bag, and pay without human assistance.
    • “Manual checkout station”: provides human assistance (scanning, bagging, payment).
  • Limit on self‑checkout:
    • A grocery store may operate no more than six (6) self‑service checkout stations at any one time per location (6 per store location).
  • Minimum manual staffing:
    • Any grocery store with self‑checkout stations must provide at least one manual checkout station per self‑service checkout station (a 1:1 ratio).
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • The Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) of the Rhode Island Attorney General has primary enforcement authority and must adopt implementing rules.
    • Fines: $500 for first and second violations; $1,000 for third and subsequent violations (per the CPU rules).
    • Any Rhode Island resident may file complaints with the CPU. Employees alleging employer retaliation for filing complaints may sue in Rhode Island Superior Court. Retaliation against consumers for complaining is an unlawful trade practice.
  • Other:
    • A severability clause.
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Rhode Island grocery stores as defined (supermarkets and similar retailers whose primary sales are groceries).
  • Secondary: store owners/operators (must reconfigure checkouts and staffing), retail workers (potentially increased cashier employment), customers (especially elderly and disabled who prefer/need cashier assistance), and the Attorney General’s CPU (enforcement workload).

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced as LC002816 in the RI General Assembly (Jan 2025 session text).
  • Introduced April 30, 2025; referred to House Corporations.
  • Effective date: upon passage.

Practical considerations / likely impacts

  • Operational: stores may need to reallocate floor space and staff to comply with the 6‑unit cap and 1:1 manual ratio (e.g., 6 self‑checkouts would require 6 staffed checkouts).
  • Labor: could increase demand for cashier staff and reduce reliance on self‑checkout labor substitution.
  • Consumer experience: may benefit shoppers preferring human assistance but could lengthen lines if stores cannot scale manual checkouts quickly.
  • Enforcement: fines are modest; the CPU will issue regulations and handle complaints, possibly increasing administrative enforcement duties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.