Chapter 442
2017 -- S 1001
Enacted 10/06/2017

A N   A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS

Introduced By: Senators Picard, and Cote
Date Introduced: June 29, 2017

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 5-11-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-11 entitled "Hawkers
and Peddlers" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     5-11-1.1. "Hawkers", "peddlers", and "door-to-door salespersons" defined --
Authority to issue rules and regulations.
     (a) For purposes of this chapter:
     (1) "Door-to-door salespersons" means persons who deliver goods, wares, or
merchandise to customers for which payment has already been made or is to be made at the time
of delivery;
     (2) "Hawker" means any person selling or offering for sale any goods, wares, or
merchandise, including any food or beverage, on any public street, highway, or public right of
way in the state from a stationary location;
     (3) "Peddler" means any person selling or offering for sale any goods, wares, or
merchandise, including any food or beverage, from a vehicle, cart, or any other conveyance
which that is not stationary; and
     (4) No "hawker" or "peddler" shall sell or offer for sale any single good, ware, or item
having a retail value of more than three hundred dollars ($300). However, this dollar limitation
shall not apply to any non-profit corporation duly authorized to do business in Rhode Island. A
non-profit corporation means a non-profit corporation which that has applied under 42 26 U.S.C.
§ 501(c)(3) for approval as a § 501(c)(3) corporation with the Internal Revenue Service, or has
been so approved.
     (b) Persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works
of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition are not hawkers or
peddlers;, provided, that:
     (1) Cumberland. The town of Cumberland has the power to license and regulate persons
selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of
their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;
     (2) West Warwick. The town of West Warwick has the power to license and regulate
persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or
crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;
     (3) Bristol. The town of Bristol has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm
or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own
making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;
     (4) Warwick. The city of Warwick has the power to license and regulate persons selling
farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own
making at an art or crafts show or exhibition; and
     (5) East Providence. The city of East Providence has the power to license and regulate
persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers. ; and
     (6) Woonsocket. The city of Woonsocket has the power to license and regulate peddlers
selling or offering flowers.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC002954
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