Welcome back to our ongoing series breaking down the new laws coming out of the Rhode Island General Assembly. Today, we’re looking at a trio of bills signed into law that touch on everything from how you shop to your basic civil rights. These new rules, which all are now in effect, aim to bring more transparency to the marketplace, expand protections against discrimination, and cut through some frustrating government red tape.

First up is a significant win for every consumer in the state. Have you ever tried to buy a concert ticket or book a hotel room online, only to find the price mysteriously balloons at the final checkout screen with mandatory “service” or “resort” fees? A new law, H5247, puts an end to this deceptive practice known as “drip pricing.” The advertised price for these goods and services must now include all mandatory charges. The only exceptions are government-imposed taxes and actual shipping costs. The bill also takes a swing at mail-in rebates, shifting the burden from the consumer to the store. If a retailer advertises a net price after a manufacturer’s rebate, they must now provide that discount to you at the register. No more clipping barcodes and waiting six to eight weeks for a check that might never come.

On the civil rights front, Rhode Island has officially joined the CROWN Act movement. The bill, S0519, explicitly prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles commonly associated with race. The law amends anti-discrimination statutes covering schools, workplaces, and housing to clarify that “race” includes traits historically associated with it, such as hair. This means it is now illegal for a school or employer to penalize a person for wearing their hair in braids, locks, twists, or Afros. It’s a protection that advocates say is long overdue and provides a clear legal standing against a subtle but pervasive form of discrimination.

Finally, the legislature passed a bill designed to fix a classic bureaucratic headache. First, during a public health emergency such as a pandemic, the Director can grant temporary 90-day licenses to healthcare providers who are already licensed in another state. This allows them to practice in Rhode Island quickly. Also, when a state licensing board can’t gather enough members for a meeting (a quorum), healthcare professionals who are waiting for their license to be approved are left in limbo, unable to work. The new law, H6384, creates a practical solution. If a board is inactive for more than 30 business days, the Director of the Department of Health can step in and issue temporary licenses to qualified applicants. This authority, critically, does not extend to disciplinary cases, only to breaking a logjam for new applicants.

These are just a few of the changes enacted this summer. We’ll be back soon with another report to break down more new legislation from Smith Hill and what it means for you.