2018 -- H 7361

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LC003764

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Mendonca, Costantino, Giarrusso, and Price

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2018

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 6-13.1 of the General Laws entitled "Deceptive Trade Practices" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     6-13.1-30. Prohibition of ban on cash discounts in credit card issuer-vendor/

business contracts.

     (a) Any provision in an agreement or contract between credit card issuers or institutions

issuing credit cards and any vendor or business preventing the vendor and/or business offering a

reduced price for an item and/or service for customers paying in cash is null and void against

public policy.

     (b) Any violation of this section shall be enforced by the attorney general pursuant to the

provisions of §§ 6-13.1-7 and 6-13.1-8, and any damages sustained by the vendor and/or business

may be recovered pursuant to the provisions of § 6-13.1-5.2

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

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     This act would declare null and void as against public policy any contract between credit

card issuers and vendors/businesses prohibiting vendors/businesses from offering a reduced price

to customers paying in cash. This act would provide for enforcement by the attorney general for

injunctive relief, and recovery of civil damages by the vendors/businesses.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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