reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-12 - Advertising.

§ 19-28.1-12. Advertising.No person may publish in this state any advertisement offering to sell a franchise required to be registered under this act unless they maintain the advertising materials for five (5) years, consistent with § 19-28.1-13.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 153, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 159, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-13 - Books and records.

§ 19-28.1-13. Books and records.Every franchisor offering or selling a franchise in this state must maintain a complete and accurate set of books and records of the offers and sales of franchises. The books and records must include disclosure documents, advertising correspondence with franchisees and prospective franchisees, past and present operations manuals, training records, training manuals, copies of executed agreements, and any due diligence records concerning franchisees. These books and records must be maintained at an office readily accessible to the franchisor for five (5) years. The books and records may be kept on photographic or electronic media but must be printed if the director requests. Nothing in this section limits the investigative authority of the director.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-14 - Jurisdiction and venue.

§ 19-28.1-14. Jurisdiction and venue.A provision of a franchise agreement restricting jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside this state or requiring the application of the laws of another state is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under this act.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 153, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 159, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 1, § 7.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-15 - Waivers void.

§ 19-28.1-15. Waivers void.A condition, stipulation, or provision requiring a franchisee to waive compliance with, or relieving a person of, a duty of liability imposed by or a right provided by this act or a rule or order under this act is void. An acknowledgement provision, disclaimer or integration clause, or a provision having a similar effect in a franchise agreement, does not negate or act to remove from judicial review any statement, misrepresentations, or action that would violate this act or a rule or order under this act. This section shall not affect the settlement of disputes, claims or civil lawsuits arising or brought under this act.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-16 - Franchisee's right to associate.

§ 19-28.1-16. Franchisee's right to associate.A franchisor shall not restrict a franchisee from associating with other franchisees or from participating in a trade association, or retaliate against a franchisee for engaging in these activities.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-17 - Fraudulent, deceptive and prohibited practices.

§ 19-28.1-17. Fraudulent, deceptive and prohibited practices.In connection with the offer or sale of a franchise it is unlawful for a person, directly or indirectly, to:(1) Employ a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;(2) Make an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;(3) Engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a person;(4) Represent to an offeree of a franchise that the filing of a franchise registration application or the registration of a franchise constitutes a finding by the director that a document filed under the act is true, complete, and not misleading or that the director has passed upon the merits of the franchise;(5) Misrepresent that a franchise is registered or exempted from registration under this act;(6) Violate an order of the director after the person receives notice that the order was issued;(7) Fail to notify the director of a material change in the information required in a document required to be filed by this act or a rule or order under this act; or(8) Omit to state a material fact, or make or cause to be made an untrue statement of a material fact, in any application, notice, or report filed with the director under this act.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-19 - Summary action.

§ 19-28.1-19. Summary action.The director upon a finding that it is in the public interest may issue an order summarily under § 19-28.1-18.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-20 - Criminal prosecution.

§ 19-28.1-20. Criminal prosecution.(a) The director may refer any evidence that is available concerning any violation of this act or any rule or order made under this act to the attorney general who may, with or without this reference, institute appropriate criminal proceedings under the act.(b) A person who willfully violates any provision of this act, or any rule under this act, or any order of which the person has notice, commits a felony and upon conviction is subject to the punishment provided by law.(c) A prosecution for a violation under this act must be commenced within four (4) years after the commission of the violation. Nothing in this act limits the power of the state to punish a person for conduct that constitutes a crime under another statute.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-21 - Private civil actions.

§ 19-28.1-21. Private civil actions.(a) A person who violates any provision of this act is liable to the franchisee for damages, costs, and attorneys and experts fees. In the case of a violation of § 19-28.1-5, § 19-28.1-8, or § 19-28.1-17(1) — (5), the franchisee may also sue for rescission. No person shall be liable under this section if the defendant proves that the plaintiff knew the facts concerning the violation.(b) Every person who directly or indirectly controls a person liable under this section, every principal executive officer or director of the liable person, every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, and every agent or employee of a liable person, who materially aids in the act or transaction constituting the violation, is also liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as the person liable under this section, unless the agent, employee, officer, or director proves he or she did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of the fact by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-22 - Period of limitation.

§ 19-28.1-22. Period of limitation.An action under § 19-28.1-21 must be commenced not later than the earlier of:(1) Four (4) years after the act or transaction constituting the violation; or(2) Ninety (90) days after the receipt by the franchisee of a rescission offer in a form approved by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-23 - No other civil liability.

§ 19-28.1-23. No other civil liability.Except as expressly provided in this act, no civil liability arises from a violation or any provision of this act. Nothing in the act limits liability that may exist under another statute or at common law. Prior law governs all actions based on facts occurring before July 22, 1993.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-24 - Burden of proof.

§ 19-28.1-24. Burden of proof.In an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding arising under this act, the burden of proving an exemption, or an exclusion from a definition, is on the person claiming it.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-25 - Hearings and judicial review.

§ 19-28.1-25. Hearings and judicial review.(a) Except as provided by subsection (c), the director may not enter an order under § 19-28.1-18 or § 19-28.1-19 without appropriate prior notice to all named persons, opportunity for hearing and written findings of fact and conclusion of law.(b) Notice required by this act is sufficient if delivered personally, or if sent by registered or certified mail and addressed to the person, or the person's attorney of record at the person's or attorney's last known address appearing in the records of the director. Notice served in accordance with § 19-28.1-28 is also sufficient.(c) A person named in an order may apply to the director for a hearing in respect to any matter determined by the order within 30 days after the director has summarily issued an order. A hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days after the director receives a written request for a hearing unless extended by mutual consent of the parties. During the pendency of any hearing requested under this subsection, the order issued summarily shall remain in effect unless vacated or modified by the director.(d) After a hearing, the director may issue a final order. The final order may affirm, vacate or modify an order issued summarily in effect during the pendency of the hearing, or may include such other sanctions as are provided for under § 19-28.1-18. An order issued summarily against a person becomes a final order if the person fails to request a hearing under subsection (c) or if the person defaults after requesting a hearing.(e) Hearings and rehearings shall be public.(f) Hearings and other official acts of the director are subject to judicial review and will be made in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42.(g) Orders originally entered without a hearing under § 19-28.1-18 or § 19-28.1-19 may be reviewed only if the person seeking review has requested a hearing within the time provided by subsection (b). Petition for review under this subsection may be filed only after service of the order finally disposing of the person's request for a hearing under subsection (b).History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-26 - Powers of director.

§ 19-28.1-26. Powers of director.(a) The director may make public or private investigations inside or outside this state or determine whether a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate a provision of this act. The director may investigate to aid in the enforcement of this act or in prescribing rules under this act. The director may publish information concerning the violation of this act or a rule or order under this act.(b) The director may keep confidential any information obtained in the course of an investigation.(c) The director may investigate suspected criminal violations of this act and may refer evidence to the attorney general or a prosecuting attorney. Upon request of the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, the director and the director's attorneys, deputies, or assistants may assist in presenting the law or facts at trial.(d) For the purposes of an investigation or proceeding under this act, the director may subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath, or require the production of any documents or tangible things that the director deems relevant or material to this investigation or proceeding. The subpoena must state the date, place, and time at which the person is required to appear or produce documentary material.(e) A director's subpoena shall be served in accordance with the service of process requirements of civil litigation in this state.(f) Upon application of the director, a court may compel compliance with a subpoena through a contempt proceeding.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-27 - Rules, orders, forms and interpretive opinions.

§ 19-28.1-27. Rules, orders, forms and interpretive opinions.(a) The director may promulgate rules, forms, and orders necessary or appropriate to administer this act and may define terms, whether or not used in this act. The director may classify franchises, persons, and matters within the director's jurisdiction and prescribe different rules for different classes. The act imposes no liability for an act or omission done in good faith in conformity with an order or rule of the director.(b) No rule, order, or form may be made unless the director finds that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of franchisees and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the act.(c) The director may honor requests from interested persons for interpretive opinions or may issue determinations that the director will not institute enforcement proceedings against a person for engaging in certain specified activities where the determination is consistent with purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the act.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-28 - Service of process.

§ 19-28.1-28. Service of process.(a) A person who offers or sells a franchise subject to the registration requirements of this act in this state shall file with the director an irrevocable consent to service of process appointing the director as the person's agent to receive service of process in a civil action or proceeding arising under this act.(b) A person who offers or sells a franchise in this state without filing a consent to service of process is deemed to appoint the director as the person's agent to receive service of process in a civil action or proceeding arising under this act.(c) A person may effect service of process under this section by service on the director. The time to respond begins to run when the person sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by certified mail to the defendant or respondent or attorney of record at its last address on file with the director. If no address is on file with the director, the time to respond begins to run when the process is served on the director. The plaintiff shall file an affidavit of compliance with the court or tribunal hearing the matter.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-29 - Fees.

§ 19-28.1-29. Fees.(a) The director shall charge and collect the fees fixed by this section. The director shall not refund fees.(b) The fee for filing an application for initial registration of a franchise under § 19-28.1-9 is six hundred dollars ($600).(c) The fee for filing a notice of exemption under § 19-28.1-6 is three hundred sixty dollars ($360).(d) The fee for filing an application for renewal of a registration under § 19-28.1-9 is three hundred dollars ($300).(e) The fee for filing a request for an amendment to an application under § 19-28.1-11 is one hundred twenty dollars ($120).(f) The fee for filing a request for an interpretive opinion under § 19-28.1-27(c) is three hundred dollars ($300).(g) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 153, § 2 and P.L. 2016, ch. 159, § 2].History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 12, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 153, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 159, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-30 - Appropriation.

§ 19-28.1-30. Appropriation.All fees shall be paid to the state treasurer and are hereby appropriated to the general fund.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 273, § 1.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-31 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-31 - Cooperation with other agencies or organizations.

§ 19-28.1-31. Cooperation with other agencies or organizations.To encourage uniform application and interpretation of this act and effective franchise regulation and enforcement, the director may cooperate with federal, state, or foreign agencies or administrators and law enforcement agencies, including:(1) Conducting joint examinations and investigations;(2) Holding joint administrative hearings;(3) Filing and prosecuting joint civil or administrative proceedings;(4) Sharing and exchanging information and documents subject to the restrictions of this state;(5) Sharing and exchanging personnel;(6) Formulating rules, regulations, statements of policy, guidelines, proposed statutory changes, and interpretive opinions and releases; and(7) Issuing and enforcing subpoenas at the request of the Federal Trade Commission or an agency administering franchise statutes in another jurisdiction if the information sought would also be subject to lawful subpoena for conduct occurring in this state.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-32 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-32 - Filing of documents.

§ 19-28.1-32. Filing of documents.A document is filed when it is received by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-33 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-33 - Construction.

§ 19-28.1-33. Construction.This act shall be applied and construed with a view to uniformity among states enacting it. This act shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-28.1-34 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-28.1 - Franchise Investment Act|Section 19-28.1-34 - Severability.

§ 19-28.1-34. Severability.If a provision of this act or its application to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision of application. To this end the provisions of this act are severable. Further, this chapter shall not apply to entities regulated by chapter 55 of title 5.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 395, § 2.
RI Gen L § 19-29-1 - 19-29-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-29 - Electronic Devices And Machines|Section 19-29-1 - 19-29-3 - Repealed.

§ 19-29-1 — 19-29-3. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 19-30-1 - 19-30-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-30 - Bank and Bank Holding Company Mergers and Acquisitions|Section 19-30-1 - 19-30-13 - Repealed.

§ 19-30-1 — 19-30-13. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 19-31-1 - 19-31-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-31 - Depository Change in Control Act|Section 19-31-1 - 19-31-9 - Repealed.

§ 19-31-1 — 19-31-9. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 19-32-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 19 - Financial Institutions|Chapter 19-32 - Guaranteed Asset-Protection Waivers|Section 19-32-1 - Legislative intent and purpose.

§ 19-32-1. Legislative intent and purpose.(a) The general assembly finds that guaranteed asset-protection waivers are not insurance. All guaranteed asset-protection waivers issued prior to and after the date of enactment of this chapter shall not be construed as insurance.(b) The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework within which guaranteed asset-protection waivers are defined and may be offered within this state.(c) This chapter does not apply to:(1) An insurance policy offered by an insurer under title 27 including, but not limited to, vendor single interest coverage; or(2) A debt cancellation or debt suspension contract being offered in compliance with §§ 19-3-1 and 19-5-25 or 12 C.F.R. Part 37 or 12 C.F.R. Part 721 or other federal law.(d) Guaranteed asset-protection waivers governed under this section are not insurance and are exempt from the insurance laws of this state. Persons marketing, selling, or offering to sell guaranteed asset-protection waivers to borrowers that comply with this section are exempt from this state's insurance licensing requirements.History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 530, § 1.