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SB 2342

AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 2 co-sponsors

SB 2342 caps self-service checkout stations at 8 per location, requires a 1:2 manual-to-self-service staffing ratio, and limits monitoring to protect workers.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2342

Summary of SB 2342 (Rhode Island, 2026) – Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout Stations Act

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes limits and guardrails on the use of self-service checkout stations in grocery stores.
  • Aims to protect workers by regulating workloads and ensuring sufficient manual checkout capacity.
  • Provides a framework for enforcement, penalties, and worker/consumer protections related to self-service checkout usage.

Key provisions and changes

  • Applicability

    • Applies to all grocery stores in Rhode Island that offer self-service checkout stations.

  • Definitions (selected)

    • “Grocery store”: a business whose majority of gross income comes from the retail sale of groceries.
    • “Self-service checkout”: an automated process enabling shoppers to scan, bag, and pay without human assistance.
    • “Manual checkout station”: a checkout station with a human operator who assists with scanning, bagging, and payment.
    • “Retail clerk”: employee primarily assisting shoppers with scanning, bagging, and payment.

  • Restrictions on self-service checkout stations

    • No more than eight (8) self-service checkout stations may operate at any one time per location.
    • Each location must maintain at least one manual checkout station for every two (2) self-service stations in operation (minimum manual-to-self-service ratio of 1:2).
    • No more than two (2) self-service stations can be monitored by a single employee at the same time. An employee monitoring self-service stations must be relieved of all other duties when doing so (including operating a manual station).

  • Regulatory and enforcement authority

    • The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training is given rulemaking authority to implement, regulate, and penalize under this chapter.

  • Violations and penalties

    • Fines for multiple violations at the same location or across locations equal the wages for one eight-hour shift, based on the highest hourly wage for retail clerks, for each day a violation occurs.
    • Employees may file complaints with protections against retaliation; affected employees may sue in superior court if retaliated against.
    • If a grocery store fails to comply within 30 days after notice of violation, non-compliance is treated as an unlawful act punishable under Rhode Island law.
    • Consumers may also file complaints; retaliation against consumers for filing complaints is an unlawful act punishable under law.

  • Severability

    • If any part is found unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder remains in effect.

  • Effective date

    • Takes effect upon passage.

Potential impact

  • On stores and operations

    • Grocery stores would need to assess and potentially reduce the number of self-service stations to eight or fewer per location.
    • Stores must maintain a guaranteed minimum staff balance, with at least one manual checkout for every two self-service stations.
    • Staffing models for employees who monitor self-service stations would be constrained to prevent overextension (no more than two self-service stations monitored by a single employee, and those employees must not perform other duties while monitoring).

  • On workers

    • More guaranteed opportunities for manual checkout work due to required staffing ratios.
    • Enhanced protections against retaliation for reporting violations.
    • Clear remedies and penalties tied to violations, including potential wage-based fines for noncompliance.

  • On consumers

    • Consumers retain access to complaint pathways and are protected from retaliation for reporting issues.

  • Timeline

    • The act becomes law upon passage; enforcement mechanisms and penalties activate as part of the department’s rulemaking and subsequent compliance.

Summary assessment

SB 2342 introduces a structured cap on self-service checkout stations, mandates a minimum manual-to-self-service staffing ratio, and restricts the workload of employees who oversee self-checkouts. It emphasizes worker protections, clear complaint channels, and strong enforcement through fines tied to wage scales. The bill would materially affect store layouts, staffing practices, and day-to-day operations for grocery retailers in Rhode Island.

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

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