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HB 7290

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island limits self-service checkouts to 8 per store, requires at least one manual station for every two self-checkouts, and restricts staff monitoring to two stations.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7290

Summary of HB 7290 (Rhode Island, 2026) – Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout Stations Act

Purpose and intent

  • Introduces a new chapter (Chapter 61) in Title 28 (Labor and Labor Relations) to regulate self-service checkout stations in grocery stores.
  • The act aims to limit the use of self-service checkout by requiring safeguards on staffing, and by imposing rules intended to protect workers from overuse of self-service systems and reduce monitoring burdens on employees.

Key provisions and changes

  • Applicability

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

  • Definitions (selected)

    • “Grocery store”: business whose majority of gross income is from retail groceries.
    • “Self-service checkout”: automated process allowing shoppers to scan, bag, and pay without human assistance.
    • “Manual checkout station”: an operator-assisted checkout with scanning, bagging, and payment handled by a human.
    • “Retail clerk”: employee whose primary job is to assist with scanning, bagging, and payments.

  • Restrictions on self-service checkout stations

    • A grocery store cannot operate more than eight (8) self-service checkout stations at any one location.
    • A minimum of one manual checkout station must be in operation for every two (2) self-service stations.
    • No more than two (2) self-service stations can be monitored simultaneously by a single employee. While monitoring, the employee must be relieved of all other duties, including operating a manual checkout station.

  • Rulemaking authority

    • The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training is empowered to promulgate rules, regulations, and penalties to enforce the act.

  • Violations and enforcement

    • Fines: for multiple violations at the same location or across locations, fines equal wages for one eight-hour shift based on the highest hourly wage for retail clerks for each day a violation occurs.
    • Employee complaints: employees may file complaints with the department without fear of retaliation. Retaliation by an employer can lead to a civil action in superior court.
    • Compliance timeline: if a store does not comply within 30 days of notice of violation, non-compliance is deemed an unlawful act punishable under specified code sections.
    • Consumer complaints: consumers may also file complaints with the department; retaliation against consumers filing complaints is unlawful.

  • Severability

    • If any part of the act is found unconstitutional or invalid, that portion can be severed with remaining provisions continuing in effect.

  • Effective date

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: grocery stores in Rhode Island that offer self-service checkout stations.
  • Workers: retail clerks and employees who monitor self-service stations, including potential reallocation of duties to maintain mandated manual checkouts.
  • Consumers: may be affected indirectly through changes in checkout operations and potential complaint mechanisms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced January 23, 2026; referred to House Labor.
  • Schedule notes indicate consideration set for June 9, 2026.
  • If enacted, the act would take effect immediately upon passage (no delayed implementation stated).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Logistics and staffing: stores would need to adjust layouts to maintain the required ratio of manual to self-service stations and ensure monitoring limits are not exceeded.
  • Labor protections: aims to protect workers from excessive self-checkout workloads and ensure human assistance remains available.
  • Compliance costs: potential costs from rulemaking and penalties, plus administrative burden to monitor and document compliance.
  • Enforcement: strong emphasis on complaints from employees and consumers, with penalties tied to wage-based fines and potential court action for retaliation.

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

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