It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 6-13 of the General Laws entitled "Unfair Sales Practices" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

6-13-18. Check cashing discrimination. -- A business that willingly accepts personal checks from Rhode Island customers for goods or services shall be prohibited from refusing checks based solely on the geographic area in which the customer lives within the state of Rhode Island. Any person, firm or corporation which shall violate the provisions of this section shall be punished by a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) per violation.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.