reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-5. - Reinstatement.

§ 6-44-5. Reinstatement.
(a)
A lessee who fails to make timely lease payments has the right to reinstate the original rental purchase agreement without losing any rights or options previously acquired under the rental purchase agreement within three (3) lease terms after the expiration of the last lease term for which the lessee made a timely payment if the lessee surrenders the leased property to the lessor when the lessor or its agent requests him or her to surrender the leased property.
(b)
Before reinstating a rental purchase agreement, a lessor may require a lessee to pay any unpaid lease payments; delinquency charges; a reasonable reinstatement fee of not more than five dollars ($5.00); and a delivery charge if redelivery of the leased property is necessary.
(c)
If reinstatement occurs pursuant to this section, the lessor shall provide the lessee with either the same property leased by the lessee prior to reinstatement or substitute property that is of comparable quality and condition. If substitute property is provided, the lessor shall provide the lessee with all of the disclosures required by § 6-44-3 of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-6. - Early purchase option.

§ 6-44-6. Early purchase option.
A rental purchase agreement must provide that, at any time after the initial payment, the lessee may acquire ownership of the property by complying with the terms of an early purchase option that must be clearly set forth in the rental purchase agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-7. - Exempted transactions.

§ 6-44-7. Exempted transactions.
This chapter does not apply to:
(1)
Agreements for the rental of property in which the person who rents the property has no legal right to become the owner of the property at the end of the rental period;
(2)
A lease of a safe deposit box;
(3)
Commercial leases or leases entered into by an organization;
(4)
Any telecommunication equipment leases or rental agreements; or
(5)
Any automobile, truck, or any other vehicular and automotive equipment leases or rental agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-8. - Advertisements.

§ 6-44-8. Advertisements.
(a)
If an advertisement for a rental purchase agreement states the amount of any payment or states that any or no initial payment is required, the advertisement shall also clearly and conspicuously state the following items as applicable:
(1)
That the transaction advertised is a lease;
(2)
The total of initial payments required at or before execution of the lease or delivery of the property, whichever is later;
(3)
That a security deposit is required if applicable;
(4)
The number, amounts, and timing of scheduled payments; and
(5)
For a lease in which the liability of the lessee at the end of the lease term is based on the anticipated residual value of the property, that an extra charge may be imposed at the end of the lease term.
(b)
If an advertisement for a consumer lease refers to or states the amount of any payment and that the lessee has the right to acquire ownership of any particular item, the advertisement shall further clearly and conspicuously state the following items as applicable:
(1)
The total of payments necessary to acquire ownership, if ownership is acquired through the accumulation of periodic payments; the price at which the leased property may be purchased at the end of the lease; and the method of determining the purchase price at any point in time if acquired through the exercise of the early option to purchase; and
(2)
That the consumer lessee acquires no ownership right if the total amount necessary to acquire ownership is not paid or the option to purchase is not exercised by payment of the purchase price.
(c)
Any owner or the agents or employees of any owner of any medium in which an advertisement appears or through which it is disseminated shall not be liable under this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-9. - Enforcement.

§ 6-44-9. Enforcement.
(a)
A lessee who has suffered a loss due to a violation of this chapter by a lessor is entitled to recover from the lessor actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, and court costs.
(b)
A lessor shall not be held liable in any action brought under this section if he or she shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error, notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid any error. A bona fide error shall include, but shall not be limited to, clerical, calculation, computer malfunction, and programming and printing errors; provided that an error of legal judgment with respect to a person’s obligations under this chapter shall not be a bona fide error.
(c)
A lessor shall not be deemed liable under this chapter for a violation of the provisions of § 6-44-3 if, within sixty (60) days after discovering the error and before an action is filed in accordance with the provisions of this section or written notice of the error is received from the consumer, the lessor notifies the consumer of the error and makes whatever adjustments in the account necessary to assure that the consumer shall not be required to pay an amount in excess of the amounts actually disclosed. This provision shall apply whether the discovery of the error was made through the lessor’s own procedures or otherwise.
(d)
An action shall not be brought under this chapter more than one year after the occurrence of the act, method, or practice that is the subject of the action, or more than one year after the last payment in a transaction involving the method, act, or practice that is the subject of the action, whichever is later.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-44 - Rental Purchase Agreements › Section 6-44-10. - Severability.

§ 6-44-10. Severability.
The provisions of this chapter shall be severable, and if any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this chapter but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this chapter directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 481, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-2. - Effect on implied warranties of Uniform Commercial Code.

§ 6-45-2. Effect on implied warranties of Uniform Commercial Code.
(a)
For purposes of §§ 6A-2-314 or 6A-2.1-212 and §§ 6A-2-315 or 6A-2.1-213, with respect to a sale or a lease of an assistive technology device, the term “seller” or “lessor” includes the manufacturer of the device.
(b)
For purposes of §§ 6A-2-315 or 6A-2.1-213, with respect to a sale or lease of an assistive technology device, the seller or lessor shall be deemed to know that the particular purpose, for which the device is required, is to increase, maintain, or improve those functional capabilities that are appropriate to the kind of device involved in light of any knowledge that the seller or lessor may have acquired of the disabilities of the consumer.
(c)
For purposes of §§ 6A-2-315 or 6A-2.1-213, with respect to a sale or lease of an assistive technology device, the seller or lessor shall be deemed to know that the consumer is relying on the seller’s or lessor’s skill or judgment to select or furnish a suitable device in light of the knowledge that the seller or lessor has, or is deemed to have by reason of subsection (b) of this section, unless the consumer specifies a particular device and signs and is furnished a copy of a writing that:
(1)
Particularly describes the device that the consumer is specifying;
(2)
States that this person is specifying that device described; and
(3)
Contains the following notice, conspicuously in type that is at least four (4) points larger than the surrounding text: “There is no warranty (guarantee) that this product will be fit for your particular needs. There is only a warranty (guarantee) that the product will be fit for the purposes that it ordinarily meets. This is because you have specified the product you want to buy instead of relying on the seller’s/lessor’s knowledge to help choose one based upon your particular needs.”
(d)
With respect to a sale or lease of an assistive technology device, the implied warranty of merchantability described in §§ 6A-2-314 or 6A-2.1-212 and the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose described in §§ 6A-2-315 or 6A-2.1-213 shall not be excluded or modified, pursuant to §§ 6A-2-316 or 6A-2.1-214 or otherwise.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 32.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-3. - Repair of assistive technology device with nonconformity.

§ 6-45-3. Repair of assistive technology device with nonconformity.
(a)
If a new assistive technology device or demonstrator has a nonconformity and the consumer first reports that nonconformity to the manufacturer of the device or its authorized dealer within Term B, then the manufacturer of the device shall be jointly obligated, together with any authorized dealer if an assistive technology device dealer was involved in the sale or lease of the device, to effect any repairs as are necessary to conform the device to all warranties, notwithstanding that those repairs might be made after the expiration of Term B.
(b)
For all purposes of this chapter, a consumer reports a nonconformity when he or she:
(1)
Makes any communication, written or oral, that describes a problem with the device, or that may be reasonably understood as an expression of dissatisfaction with any aspect of the operation of the device, which communication need only indicate in any way the nature of the problem, such as an indication of the functions that the device is not achieving or achieving unsatisfactorily to the consumer, and need not be in technical language or attempt to state the cause of the problem;
(2)
Does not refuse to make the device available to the manufacturer or dealer for repair; and
(3)
The problem indicated by the consumer’s communication constitutes, or is caused by, a nonconformity.
(c)
It shall be presumed that the consumer has made the device available to the manufacturer or dealer for repair if he or she allows the manufacturer or dealer to take it from the consumer’s home or other location where the user customarily uses the device. The consumer shall be required to deliver the device to another location only upon a showing that it would be a substantially greater hardship for the manufacturer and dealer to take the device from the consumer’s home, or other location where the user customarily uses the device, than for the consumer to deliver the device.
(d)
Whether or not the rights of the consumer provided by § 6-45-5(a) have arisen, and in addition to the remedies relating to collateral costs provided by this chapter, a person who is under an obligation to repair pursuant to this section is obliged immediately to provide the consumer a loaner if the absence of a loaner would be a threat to the safety of the user, but in any event when the out-of-service period exceeds seven (7) days as determined by § 6-45-4(b) and (c).
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 32.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-4. - Reasonable number of attempts to repair.

§ 6-45-4. Reasonable number of attempts to repair.
(a)
A “reasonable number of attempts to repair” an assistive technology device with a nonconformity means the occurrence of one or both of the following:
(1)
The same nonconformity that is first reported during Term A is subject to repair two (2) or more times during Term B; or
(2)
The device is out-of-service for an aggregate of thirty (30) or more calendar days during Term A because of one or more nonconformities.
(b)
For purposes of counting the days for which a device is out-of-service because of one or more nonconformities, an out-of-service period shall begin with and include the day that is the later of:
(1)
The day the nonconformity first appears; or
(2)
The business day prior to the day on which the consumer first reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer of the device or its authorized dealer.
(c)
For purposes of counting the days for which a device is out-of-service because of one or more nonconformities, an out-of-service period shall end with and include the day on which the device is returned after repair, and is then free of nonconformities, to the possession of the consumer, unless this return is made by 10:00 a.m. of that day in which case the out-of-service period shall end with and include the previous day.
(d)
In the event an out-of-service period has commenced during Term A, then for purposes of subsection (a)(2), Term A shall continue until the end of this out-of-service period.
(e)
The manufacturer/vendor shall keep written records of all repair attempts made, including:
(1)
The date a repair was requested;
(2)
The type of repair requested;
(3)
The date the repair attempt began;
(4)
The length of time required for the repair attempt;
(5)
The results of the repair attempt; and
(6)
The total number of repair attempts made.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 32; P.L. 2023, ch. 87, § 1, effective June 19, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 88, § 1, effective June 19, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-6. - Nonconformity disclosure requirement.

§ 6-45-6. Nonconformity disclosure requirement.
(a)
No assistive technology device returned by a consumer in this state or any other state by reason of problems with its performance, fitness, quality, or functioning may be sold or leased again in this state unless full written disclosure is made to any prospective buyer or lessor of any return, including the date, reasons for the return, and the history of attempts to repair.
(b)
If a sale or lease is made of an assistive technology device in violation of subsection (a) of this section, a consumer who bought or took the lease of the device shall have the rights of a consumer of a new assistive technology device provided by § 6-45-5(a), without regard to whether there is a nonconformity or to whether there has been a reasonable number of attempts to repair, except that if the consumer chooses the refund option described in § 6-45-5(a)(1), there shall be no deduction from the full purchase price in calculating the refund under that paragraph. The rights described in this paragraph run against the person who last sold or transferred the device to any other person, whether or not a consumer, with knowledge of the previous return of the device, without providing the disclosure required by the preceding paragraph. These rights may be declared and exercised by the consumer at any time within two (2) years after he or she knows of the previous return and the person against whom the rights run.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-7. - Remedies.

§ 6-45-7. Remedies.
(a)
In addition to pursuing any other remedy, a consumer may bring an action to recover any damages caused by a violation of this chapter, plus taxable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. For a violation of any of the obligations provided by § 6-45-5(a), whether relative to a refund as described in § 6-45-5(a)(1) or to a replacement as described in § 6-45-5(a)(2), the court shall award damages equal to the greater of:
(1)
Actual damages; or
(2)
The sum of:
(i)
Two (2) times the amount obtained as:
(A)
The amount that should have been refunded under § 6-45-5(a)(1) or that should have been refunded under § 6-45-5(a)(1) had the consumer chosen that option; minus
(B)
The amount that was actually refunded, if any; minus
(C)
The amount, if any, of the difference between the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) that was attributable to a good faith dispute by the manufacturer as to:
(I)
The amount of collateral costs; or
(II)
The length of a useful life greater than five (5) years in calculating the reasonable allowance for use under § 6-45-5(c) and 6-45-5(d); and
(ii)
The amount described in subsection (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section.
(b)
Actual damages caused by a violation of this chapter shall include collateral costs, beginning at the time of the violation, whether or not the consumer acquired the rights provided by § 6-45-5(a).
(c)
The remedies of a buyer or lessee described in §§ 6A-2-715 or 6A-2.1-520, with respect to an assistive technology device, shall not be excluded or limited.
(d)
The rights and remedies provided to the consumer by this chapter shall be in addition to those available under any other law.
(e)
Any waiver by a consumer of rights under this chapter is void.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 32.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-45 - Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties › Section 6-45-8. - Information about assistive technology warranties act to be provided at time of sale.

§ 6-45-8. Information about assistive technology warranties act to be provided at time of sale.
At the time of purchase or lease, the manufacturer must provide directly to the consumer a statement, written in not less than fourteen (14) point all capital bolded type on a separate piece of paper or in such other form as the consumer can understand, the following form:
“(1)
If the device is still defective after two (2) attempts to repair the same problem within two (2) years, or out of service for thirty (30) days for any combination of problems within the first year from the date of first delivery, you may be entitled to a replacement or refund of the purchase price under chapter 45 of title 6. To be entitled to a refund or a replacement, you must first notify the device manufacturer or vendor of the problem and give the vendor or manufacturer an opportunity to repair the device in accordance with § 6-45-5(b)(1).
(2)
If your device is out-of-service for more than seven (7) days, or not having a device would be a threat to your safety, the manufacturer/vendor must provide you with a loaner device.
(3)
For more information about this law, you can contact the governor’s commission on disabilities.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2023, ch. 87, § 2, effective June 19, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 88, § 2, effective June 19, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-1. - Short title.

§ 6-46-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Equipment Dealership Act”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-2. - Definitions.

§ 6-46-2. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the following meanings:
(1)
“Current net price” means the price listed in the supplier’s price list or catalog in effect at the time the dealer agreement is terminated, less any applicable discounts allowed.
(2)
“Dealer” means a person, corporation, or partnership primarily engaged in the business of retail sales of farm and utility tractors, forestry equipment, industrial or construction equipment, farm implements, farm machinery, yard and garden equipment, attachments, accessories, and repair parts. The term “dealer” shall not include a single-line dealer primarily engaged in the retail sale and service of industrial, forestry, and construction equipment.
(3)
“Dealer agreement” means a written or oral contract or agreement between a dealer and a wholesaler, manufacturer, or distributor by which the dealer is granted the right to sell or distribute goods or services or to use a trade name, trademark, service mark, logotype, or advertising or other commercial symbol.
(4)
“Inventory” means farm, utility, forestry, industrial or construction equipment, implements, machinery, yard and garden equipment, attachments, or repair parts.
(5)
“Net cost” means the price the dealer paid the supplier for the inventory, less all applicable discounts allowed, plus the amount the dealer paid for freight costs from the supplier’s location to the dealer’s location. In the event of termination of a dealer agreement by the supplier, “net cost” includes the reasonable cost of assembly and/or disassembly performed by a dealer.
(6)
“Single-line dealer” means a person, partnership, or corporation who or that:
(i)
Has purchased seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the dealer’s total new product inventory from a single supplier; and
(ii)
Who has a total annual average sales volume for the previous three (3) years in excess of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the entire territory for which the dealer is responsible.
(7)
“Supplier” means a wholesaler, manufacturer, or distributor of inventory who enters into a dealer agreement with a dealer.
(8)
“Termination” of a dealer agreement means the cancellation, non-renewal, or non-continuance of the agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-3. - Notice of termination of dealer agreements.

§ 6-46-3. Notice of termination of dealer agreements.
(a)
Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, prior to the termination of a dealer agreement, a supplier shall notify the dealer of the termination not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the effective date of the termination. No supplier may terminate, cancel, or fail to renew a dealer agreement without cause. For purposes of this subsection “cause” means failure by an equipment dealer to comply with requirements imposed upon the equipment dealer by the dealer agreement, provided the requirements are not substantially different from those requirements imposed upon other similarly situated dealers in this state.
(b)
The supplier may immediately terminate the agreement at any time upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1)
The filing of a petition for bankruptcy or for receivership either by or against the dealer;
(2)
The making by the dealer of an intentional and material misrepresentation as to the dealer’s financial status;
(3)
Any default by the dealer under a chattel mortgage or other security agreement between the dealer and the supplier;
(4)
The commencement of voluntary or involuntary dissolution or liquidation of the dealer if the dealer is a partnership or corporation;
(5)
A change in location of the dealer’s principal place of business as provided in the agreement without the prior written approval of the supplier;
(6)
Withdrawal of an individual proprietor, partner, major shareholder, or the involuntary termination of the manager of the dealership, or a substantial reduction in the interest of a partner or major shareholder without the prior, written consent of the supplier.
(c)
Unless there is an agreement to the contrary, a dealer who intends to terminate a dealer agreement with a supplier shall notify the supplier of that intent not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the effective date of the termination.
(d)
Notification required by either party under this section shall be in writing and shall be made by certified mail or by personal delivery and shall contain:
(1)
A statement of intention to terminate the dealer agreement;
(2)
A statement of the reasons for the termination; and
(3)
The date on which the termination shall be effective.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-4. - Supplier’s duty to repurchase inventory.

§ 6-46-4. Supplier’s duty to repurchase inventory.
(a)
Whenever a dealer enters into a dealer agreement under which the dealer agrees to maintain an inventory, and the agreement is terminated by either party as provided in this chapter, the supplier, upon written request of the dealer filed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the termination, shall repurchase the dealer’s inventory as provided in this chapter. There shall be no requirement for the supplier to repurchase inventory pursuant to this section if:
(1)
The dealer has made an intentional and material misrepresentation as to the dealer’s financial status;
(2)
The dealer has defaulted under the chattel mortgage or other security agreement between the dealer and supplier; or
(3)
The dealer has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy.
(b)
Whenever a dealer enters into a dealer agreement in which the dealer agrees to maintain an inventory and the dealer or the majority stockholder of the dealer, if the dealer is a corporation, dies, or becomes incompetent, the supplier shall, at the option of the heir, personal representative, guardian of the dealer, or the person who succeeds to the stock of the majority stockholder, repurchase the inventory as if the agreement had been terminated. The heir, personal representative, guardian, or succeeding stockholder has six (6) months from the date of the death of the dealer or majority stockholder to exercise the option under this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-5. - Repurchase terms.

§ 6-46-5. Repurchase terms.
(a)
Within ninety (90) days from the receipt of the written request of the dealer, a supplier under the duty to repurchase inventory pursuant to this chapter may examine any books or records of the dealer to verify the eligibility of any item for repurchase. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the supplier shall repurchase from the dealer all inventory, required signage, special tools, books, supplies, data processing equipment, and software previously purchased from the supplier or other qualified vendor in the possession of the dealer on the date of termination of the dealer agreement.
(b)
The supplier shall pay the dealer:
(1)
One hundred percent (100%) of the net cost of all new and undamaged and complete farm and utility tractors, forestry equipment, light industrial equipment, farm implements, farm machinery, or yard and garden equipment purchased within the past thirty six (36) months from the supplier, less a reasonable allowance for deterioration attributable to weather conditions at the dealer’s location;
(2)
Ninety percent (90%) of the current net prices of all new and undamaged repair parts;
(3)
Eighty-five percent (85%) of the current net price of all new and undamaged superseded repair parts;
(4)
Eighty-five percent (85%) of the latest available published net price of all new and undamaged non-current repair parts;
(5)
Either the fair market value or assume the lease responsibilities of any specific data processing hardware that the supplier required the equipment dealer to acquire or purchase to satisfy the reasonable requirements of the dealer agreement, including computer systems equipment required and approved by the supplier to communicate with the supplier;
(6)
Repurchase at seventy-five percent (75%) of the net cost specialized repair tools, signage, books, and supplies previously purchased pursuant to requirements of the supplier and held by the equipment dealer on the date of termination. Specialized repair tools must be unique to the supplier product line and must be complete and in usable condition; and
(7)
Repurchase, at average, as-is value shown in current industry guides, dealer-owned rental fleet financed by the supplier or its finance subsidiary.
(c)
The party that initiates the termination of the dealer agreement shall pay the cost of the return, handling, packing, and loading of this inventory.
(d)
Payment to the dealer required under this section shall be made by the supplier not later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of the inventory by the supplier. A penalty shall be assessed in the amount of two percent (2%) per day of any outstanding balance over the required forty-five (45) days. The supplier shall be entitled to apply any payment required under this section to be made to the dealer as a set-off against any amount owed by the dealer to the supplier.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-6. - Exceptions to repurchase requirement.

§ 6-46-6. Exceptions to repurchase requirement.
The provisions of this chapter shall not require the repurchase from a dealer of:
(1)
A repair part with a limited storage life or otherwise subject to physical or structural deterioration including, but not limited to, gaskets or batteries;
(2)
A single repair part normally priced and sold in a set of two or more items;
(3)
A repair part that, because of its condition, cannot be marketed as a new part without repackaging or reconditioning by the supplier or manufacturer;
(4)
Any inventory that the dealer elects to retain;
(5)
Any inventory ordered by the dealer after receipt of notice of termination of the dealer agreement by either the dealer or supplier;
(6)
Any inventory that was acquired by the dealer from a source other than the supplier.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-7. - Transfer of business.

§ 6-46-7. Transfer of business.
(a)
No supplier shall unreasonably withhold or delay consent to any transfer of the dealer’s business or transfer of the stock or other interest in the dealership whenever the dealer to be substituted meets the material and reasonable business and financial requirements of the supplier. Should a supplier determine that a proposed transferee does not meet these requirements, it shall give the dealer written notice stating the specific reasons for withholding consent. No prospective transferee may be disqualified to be a dealer because it is a publicly held corporation. A supplier shall have ninety (90) days to consider a dealer’s request to make a transfer under this subsection.
(b)
No supplier shall unreasonably withhold consent to the transfer of the dealer’s business to a member or members of the family of the dealer or the principal owner of the dealership if the family member meets the reasonable business ability, business experience, and character standards of the supplier, and if the transferee can demonstrate that the dealership will be adequately capitalized. Should a supplier determine that the designated family member does not meet those requirements, the supplier shall provide the dealer with written notice of the supplier’s objection and specific reasons for withholding its consent. As used in this subsection, “family” means and includes the spouse, parent, siblings, children, stepchildren, and lineal descendants, including those by adoption of the dealer or principal owner of the dealership.
(c)
In any dispute as to whether a supplier has denied consent in violation of this section, the supplier shall have the burden of proving a substantial and reasonable justification for the denial of consent.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-8. - Uniform commercial practice.

§ 6-46-8. Uniform commercial practice.
Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to release or terminate a perfected security interest of the supplier in the inventory of the dealer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-9. - Warranty obligations.

§ 6-46-9. Warranty obligations.
Whenever a supplier and a dealer enter into an agreement providing consumer warranties, the supplier shall pay any warranty claim made for warranty parts and service within thirty (30) days after its receipt and approval. The supplier shall approve or disapprove a warranty claim within thirty (30) days after its receipt. If a claim is not specifically disapproved in writing within thirty (30) days after its receipt, it shall be deemed to be approved and payment shall be made by the supplier within thirty (30) days.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-10. - Remedies.

§ 6-46-10. Remedies.
Nothing contained in this section shall bar the right of an agreement to provide for binding arbitration of disputes. Any arbitration shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter and other appropriate state law. The place of any arbitration shall be in the city or county in which the dealer maintains the dealer’s principal place of business in this state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-11. - Waiver of chapter void.

§ 6-46-11. Waiver of chapter void.
(a)
The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be incorporated in every agreement and shall supersede and control all other provisions of the agreement. No supplier may require any dealer to waive compliance with any provision of this chapter. Any contract or agreement purporting to do so is void and unenforceable to the extent of the waiver or variance.
(b)
Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit or prohibit good-faith settlements of disputes voluntarily entered into between the parties.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-46 - Equipment Dealerships › Section 6-46-12. - Obligation of successors in interest.

§ 6-46-12. Obligation of successors in interest.
The obligation of any supplier or dealer is applied to and made an obligation of any successor in interest or assignee of the supplier or dealer. A successor in interest includes, but is not limited to, any purchaser of the assets or stock, and surviving entity resulting from merger or liquidation, any receiver or any trustee of the original supplier or dealer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 408, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-47 - Internet Access and Advertising by Facsimile › Section 6-47-3. - Severability.

§ 6-47-3. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid, this invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 479, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-1. - Short title.

§ 6-48-1. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as “The Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006”.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-2. - Purpose.

§ 6-48-2. Purpose.
This act establishes the right of consumers to protect themselves from identity theft or fraud by conferring upon them the right to voluntarily place a security freeze on their credit report.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-3. - Legislative findings.

§ 6-48-3. Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a)
Identity theft is a growing menace for consumers in the new economy, as vast quantities of sensitive, personal information has become vulnerable to criminal interception and misuse;
(b)
Identity theft has become a major law enforcement challenge;
(c)
An integral part of many identity thefts involves the interception of personal financial data, the fraudulent acquisition of credit cards or other financial products in another person’s name;
(d)
Identity theft is an act that violates the privacy of our citizens, ruins their good names and may subject them to restricted access to credit, diminished employment opportunities, and months or years of effort to repair damage to credit histories;
(e)
Social security numbers are frequently used as identification numbers in many computer files, giving access to information an individual may want kept private, making it [is] wise to limit access to an individual’s social security number whenever possible; and
(f)
It is therefore a valid public purpose for the Rhode Island general assembly to ensure that the private financial information and social security numbers of the citizens of the state of Rhode Island are less accessible, in order to mitigate the potential for more identity theft to occur.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-4. - Definitions.

§ 6-48-4. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(a)
“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate, cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity.
(b)
“Consumer” means an individual who is also a resident of this state.
(c)
“Consumer reporting agency” has the meaning ascribed to it in 15 U.S.C. § 1681(a)(f).
(d)
“Consumer report” has the meaning ascribed to it in 15 U.S.C. § 1681(a)(d).
(e)
“Credit card” has the same meaning as in § 103 of 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et. seq. (The Truth in Lending Act.)
(f)
“Debit card” means any card or device issued by a financial institution to a consumer for use in initiating an electronic fund transfer from the account holding assets of the consumer at such financial institution, for the purpose of transferring money between accounts or obtaining money, property, labor, or services.
(g)
“Proper identification” means proper identification as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681h(a)(1).
(h)
“Security freeze” means a notice placed in a consumer’s credit report at the request of the consumer and subject to certain exceptions, that prohibits the consumer reporting agency from releasing the consumer’s credit report or score related to the extension of credit.
(i)
“Reviewing the account” or “account review” includes activities related to account maintenance, monitoring, credit line increases, and account upgrades and enhancements.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-7. - Violations; Penalties.

§ 6-48-7. Violations; Penalties.
(a)
Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this chapter with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of:
(1)
Any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000); or
(2)
Such amount of punitive damages as the court allows; and
(3)
In the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys’ fees as determined by the court.
(b)
Any person who obtains a consumer report, requests a security freeze, requests the temporary lift of a freeze, or the removal of a security freeze from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses or in an attempt to violate federal or state law shall be liable to the consumer reporting agency for actual damages sustained by the consumer reporting agency or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is greater.
(c)
Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this chapter with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of:
(1)
Any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure and;
(2)
In the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys’ fees as determined by the court.
(d)
Upon a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in connection with an action under this chapter was filed in bad faith or for the purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorneys’ fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading, motion, or other paper.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-8. - Social security number protection — Effective January 1, 2008.

§ 6-48-8. Social security number protection — Effective January 1, 2008.
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section a person or entity, including a state or local agency, may not do any of the following:
(1)
Intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the general public all or part of an individual’s social security number;
(2)
Print all or part of an individual’s social security number on any card required for the individual to access products or services provided by the person or entity;
(3)
Require an individual to transmit all or part of his or her social security number over the Internet, unless the connection is secure or the social security number is encrypted;
(4)
Require an individual to use all or part of his or her social security number to access an Internet Website, unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the Internet Website; and
(5)
Print all or part of an individual’s social security number on any materials that are mailed to the individual, unless state or federal law requires the social security number to be on the document to be mailed.
Notwithstanding this paragraph, social security numbers may be included in applications and forms sent by mail, including documents sent as part of an application or enrollment process, or to establish, amend or terminate an account, contract or policy, or to confirm the accuracy of the social security number. A social security number that is permitted to be mailed under this section may not be printed, in whole or in part, on a postcard or other mailer not requiring an envelope, or visible on the envelope or without the envelope having been opened.
(b)
The provisions of this section do not apply to documents that are recorded or required to be open to the public pursuant to the Rhode Island general laws chapter 42-46. This section does not apply to records that are by statute or case law required to be made available to the public by entities provided for in the Rhode Island Constitution.
(c)
This section does not prevent the collection, use, or release of a social security number as required by state or federal law or the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes.
(d)
The penalties for violating this section shall be:
(1)
Any person who violates this section is responsible for the payment of a civil fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000).
(2)
A person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 57, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 69, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-48 - Consumer Empowerment and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 › Section 6-48-9. - Severability.

§ 6-48-9. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-49 - Electronic Mail Fraud › Section 6-49-1. - Short title.

§ 6-49-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Electronic Mail Fraud Regulatory Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 628, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 6 - Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions › Chapter 6-49 - Electronic Mail Fraud › Section 6-49-2. - Legislative findings.

§ 6-49-2. Legislative findings.
It is hereby found and declared as follows:
Consumers are bombarded with electronic communications, often times in a fraudulent attempt to solicit personal and private information. In the interest of protecting the citizens of Rhode Island, it is imperative that the general assembly establish safeguards against such practices. Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public law, rule, or regulation, the general assembly shall establish regulations pertaining to the prevention of electronic mail fraud.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 628, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 36.