2024 -- S 2892

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LC005713

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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 PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, Mack, DiPalma, and Kallman

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant

Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     34-18-15.1. Rent based on algorithms and price fixing prohibited.

     (a) No landlord or person shall use an algorithm, a commercial computer program or digital

technology to include, but not be limited to, artificial intelligence technology to set or determine

the rent for residential property subject to the provisions of this chapter.

     (b) No landlord or person shall use or share with another any information, data or rental

information with the intent to stabilize rental pricing among rental units owned by different entities

or engage in any act to set uniform rental rates or rent increases among landlords.

     (c) Any action by a landlord or person in violation of subsections (a) or (b) of this section

shall constitute a violation of the good faith requirements of § 34-18-12, shall be deemed

unconscionable pursuant to the provisions of § 34-18-13 and shall be a deceptive trade practice

pursuant to the provisions of chapter 13.1 of title 6 ("deceptive trade practices").

     (d) Any person aggrieved as a result of a violation of the provisions of this section may

pursue a civil action for both injunctive relief and compensatory damages. A prevailing plaintiff

may be awarded treble damages, attorneys' fees and costs.

     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 PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

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     This act would prohibit the use of an algorithm or artificial intelligence to set residential

rental amounts and would prohibit landlord price fixing of residential rents. Violations would

constitute a deceptive trade practice and violators would be subject to a civil suit in which a

prevailing party may recover treble damages, attorneys' fees and costs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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