2026 -- S 2266

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LC004268

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Mack, Kallman, Euer, Gu, Murray, Bissaillon, Famiglietti,
Lauria, and DiMario

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     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:

     34-18-63. Determination of rent amount -- Use of algorithmic device prohibited.

     (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

     (1) “Algorithmic device” means a device, software, tool, or model that uses one or more

computer-based algorithms, including machine learning or artificial intelligence, to perform

calculations concerning local or statewide rent amounts, occupancy trends, or other rental market

data for the primary purpose of advising, recommending, or determining the amount of rent a

landlord may charge, including adjustments to existing rent, that is not widely publicly accessible.

     (2) “Nonpublic competitor data” means information that is derived from or about other

landlords, renters, occupancy, or pricing that is not widely available to the general public, including

but not limited to:

     (i) Actual current rent prices for specific properties, units, or landlords collected from

nonpublic sources;

     (ii) Occupancy rates, lease start/end data, or historical rental performance data obtained

from proprietary sources;

     (iii) Data licensed or shared among participants in a competitive rental marketplace.

     (3) “Rent” means the total consideration, fees, or charges a residential tenant is required to

pay for occupancy of a residential premises under any rental agreement, including concessions.

     (b) Prohibition. Effective January 1, 2027, no landlord, property owner, property manager,

agent, or person acting on their behalf shall:

     (1) Employ, use, knowingly rely upon, or cause another to employ, use, or rely upon an

algorithmic device that incorporates, uses, or was trained using nonpublic competitor data for the

purpose of determining, fixing, or suggesting the amount of rent to be charged to a residential

tenant; or

     (2) Use an algorithmic device to determine any change in rent for a renewed lease term or

rent adjustment for an existing residential tenant.

     (c) Exemptions. This section does not apply to:

     (1) Rent or income limits established by federal, state, or local housing programs where

algorithmic tools are used solely to comply with program guidelines;

     (2) Tools that produce only historical reporting of aggregate market data published no more

frequently than monthly, provided no individualized rent recommendations are made;

     (3) Bona fide internal record-keeping or accounting systems that do not influence or set

rent amounts.

     (d) Enforcement and remedies.

     (1) Violations of this section shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive act or practice under

chapter 13.1 of title 6 ("deceptive trade practices").

     (2) The Rhode Island attorney general, or any person aggrieved by a violation, may seek

relief including equitable relief and civil penalties, as appropriate, under § 6-13.1-5 et seq.

     (3) The attorney general may promulgate regulations necessary for enforcement of this

section, including definitions, exemptions, recordkeeping requirements, and compliance processes.

     (e) Severability. Should any provision of this section be held invalid, the remainder shall

remain in full force and effect.

     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 algorithmic pricing by landlords to determine the amount

of rent to charge a residential tenant.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004268

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