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SB 2781

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- THIRD-PARTY DELIVERY SYSTEMS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 5 co-sponsors

Rhode Island law would require merchant consent for third-party delivery and ban third-party reservation services, with penalties for unauthorized use of branding or reservations.

04/27/2026 Meeting postponed (04/28/2026)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2781

Summary of Bill: SB 2781 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Bill Overview

  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- THIRD-PARTY DELIVERY SYSTEMS
  • Session: 2026
  • Introduced: March 4, 2026
  • Sponsor/Co-Sponsors: Senators Dimitri, LaMountain, Thompson, Burke, Appollonio, Quezada; co-sponsors include Brian Thompson, Matt LaMountain, Pete Appollonio, Andrew Dimitri, John Burke, Ana Quezada
  • Committee: Senate Commerce
  • Effective Date: January 1, 2027 (with explicit provisions in multiple chapters)

Purpose and Intent

The act aims to regulate (and limit) certain activities of third-party delivery services and related advertising on platforms, to protect merchants (food service establishments and other retailers) from unauthorized placements and use of likenesses, and to prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or facilitating reservations in Rhode Island.

Key Provisions

1) Third-Party Delivery Systems (Chapter 6-58)

  • Definitions (Section 6-58-1):
    • Clarifies terms including “advertising platform,” “agreement,” “customer,” “likeness,” “marketplace,” “merchant,” “order interface,” “third-party delivery service,” and “unauthorized placement.”
  • Merchant Consent (Section 6-58-3):
    • Consent Requirement: A third-party delivery service may not take orders or arrange delivery through its marketplace without written consent of the merchant.
    • Advertising Prohibition: Third-party delivery services may not display or promote a merchant’s name, trademark, logo, service mark, or likeness on any advertising platform without an express agreement.
  • Enforcement and Penalties (Section 6-58-5):
    • Merchant Remedies: Merchants harmed by unauthorized placement or likeness use may sue in Superior Court for actual damages or at least $5,000, plus potential punitive damages and equitable relief if conduct shows reckless indifference to rights.
    • Penalties for Third-Party Services: The state may levy civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, with each day counting as a separate violation.

2) Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act (New Chapter 6-58.1)

  • Short Title (6-58.1-1): “Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act.”
  • Definitions (6-58.1-2):
    • Defines “food service establishment” comprehensively.
    • Defines “third-party restaurant reservation service” as an entity that offers or arranges on-premises reservations for a food service establishment, is owned/operated by a party other than the owner of the establishment, and does not have a contractual relationship with the establishment.
    • Excludes casual arrangements where a designee (appointable by a customer) shares contact information, allows establishment confirmation, and honors opt-out requests.
  • Prohibition (6-58.1-3): A third-party restaurant reservation service shall not list, advertise, promote, facilitate, sell, or enable a reservation at a Rhode Island food service establishment.
  • Enforcement and Penalties (6-58.1-4): Civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation; each day of violation is a separate violation. Penalties may be pursued by the Attorney General. Penalties collected go to general revenue.

Timeline and Implementation

  • Effective Date: January 1, 2027
  • The act’s provisions apply to conduct occurring on or after the effective date, with penalties assessed accordingly for violations.

Who Is Affected

  • Merchants and Food Service Establishments: Restaurants and other food providers that use or interact with third-party delivery services or advertising platforms.
  • Third-Party Delivery Services: Companies that operate delivery marketplaces or advertise third-party delivery options must obtain merchant consent and may face penalties for unauthorized placements and for violating licensing provisions.
  • Third-Party Restaurant Reservation Services: Platforms that list or facilitate on-premises reservations for Rhode Island establishments are prohibited from operating in the state under this act.
  • Consumers/Customers: Indirectly affected as the act governs how reservations and orders can be placed via third-party platforms.

Administrative/Procedural Notes

  • The act provides clear definitions to distinguish authorized vs. unauthorized use of merchant information.
  • Creates private rights of action for merchants and civil penalties enforceable by the state and/or Attorney General.
  • Adds a new chapter (6-58.1) specifically targeting restaurant reservation piracy, with separate enforcement provisions.

Potential Impact

  • Increases merchant control over how their information and branding appear on third-party platforms.
  • May reduce the prevalence of unauthorized merchant placements and likeness uses, improving brand protection and consumer clarity.
  • Significantly restricts or blocks certain third-party reservation services from operating in Rhode Island, potentially affecting consumers who rely on such services.
  • Establishes penalties designed to deter violations by third-party platforms.

If you’d like, I can provide a line-by-line comparison with current Rhode Island law or a plain-language briefing for a specific stakeholder (merchants, consumers, or platform operators).

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

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