Rhode Island Adds Grocery Store Checkout Requirements

Monday, September 28, 2026
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Rhode Island

Key Takeaways

Impacted Employers: Certain Rhode Island grocery stores

Effective Date: January 1, 2027

Summary: Covered employers must meet certain staffing and checkout standards.

Next Steps: Review the staffing and operations requirements under the law to help comply with the law by January 1, 2027. 

The Details

Under the law, Rhode Island grocery stores must meet certain staffing and checkout standards. House Bill 7290-A takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Required Staffing Ratio

Under House Bill 7290-A:

  • A manual checkout station is a checkout station at which a human operator assists shoppers by scanning, bagging, and accepting payment for purchases; and
     
  • A self-service checkout is an automated process that enables shoppers to scan, bag, and pay for their purchases without human assistance.

Rhode Island grocery stores with self-service checkout stations must have at least one manual checkout station in operation for every three self-service checkout stations in operation. Additionally, stores must maintain at least one manual checkout station that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Note: An employee must be relieved of all other duties while monitoring a self-service checkout station, including, but not limited to, operating a manual checkout station.

Exceptions:

Grocery stores are not required to fulfill the check-out station staffing ratio during:

  • Off-peak hours (before 8:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m., local time, on a calendar day)
     
  • A declared state of emergency that affects the geographic area where the establishment is located, or when a severe weather alert is in effect for the geographic area in which the establishment is located. The exemption applies only:
     
    • During the period the severe weather alert is in effect, as issued or extended by the National Weather Service or applicable state or local emergency management authority; and
       
    • The establishment does not require any employee to report to work or remain at work in conditions the employee reasonably believes pose an imminent threat to their personal safety due to the severe weather event.
       

Nonretaliation

A covered employer is prohibited from retaliating against an employee who submits a complaint alleging their employer violated the law.


Penalties

An employer found to have violated the law may receive a written warning for the first violation, and face fines up to $500 per day (when multiple violations are made by the same grocery store at the same location). See the text of the law for further details.

Next Steps

  • Review the staffing, ADA, and nonretaliation requirements to help comply with the law; and

 

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