2024 -- S 2278 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

SENIOR SAVINGS PROTECTION ACT

     Introduced By: Senators LaMountain, Burke, McKenney, Lauria, Tikoian, Quezada,
Raptakis, Euer, Bissaillon, and F. Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL

REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 40.1

SENIOR SAVINGS PROTECTION ACT

     6-40.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Senior Savings Protection Act".

     6-40.1-2. No fees to senior citizens for provision of paper documents.

     It is unlawful for any person engaged in the sale of goods or services to charge any fee to

any person who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, for a hard-copy paper bill, statement or

invoice.

     6-40.1-3. Penalty.

     Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed

a deceptive trade practice and is subject to the penalty set forth in § 6-13.1-14.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

SENIOR SAVINGS PROTECTION ACT

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     This act would prohibit the charging of any fees to a senior citizen who is sixty-five (65)

years of age or older for a hard-copy paper bill, invoice or statement. The violation of this provision

would be a deceptive trade practice subject to a five hundred dollar ($500) fine.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2025.

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