§ 11-24-1. All persons entitled to full and equal accommodations. All persons within the jurisdiction of this state shall be entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all […]
§ 11-24-2. Discriminatory practices prohibited. No person, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement shall directly or indirectly refuse, withhold from, or deny to any person on account of race or color, religion, country of ancestral origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender […]
§ 11-24-2.1. Discrimination based on disability, age, or sex prohibited. (a) Whenever in this chapter there shall appear the words “ancestral origin” there shall be inserted immediately thereafter the words “disability, age, or sex.” (b) “Disability” means a disability as defined in § 42-87-1. (c) The terms, as used regarding persons with disabilities, “auxiliary aids […]
§ 11-24-2.2. Discrimination based on sexual orientation. Whenever in this chapter the terms “race or color, religion or country of ancestral origin, handicap, age or sex” shall appear, there shall be inserted immediately thereafter the words “sexual orientation”. History of Section.P.L. 1995, ch. 32, § 7.
§ 11-24-2.3. Discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Whenever in this chapter the terms “race or color, religion, country of ancestral origin, handicap, age, sex, or sexual orientation” shall appear, there shall be inserted immediately thereafter the words “gender identity or expression”. History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 340, § 6.
§ 11-24-3. “Places of public accommodation” construed. A “Place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement” within the meaning of §§ 11-24-1 — 11-24-3 includes, but is not limited to: (1) inns, taverns, roadhouses, hotels, whether conducted for the entertainment or accommodation of transient guests or of those seeking health, recreation or rest; (2) restaurants, eating […]
§ 11-24-3.1. Sex discrimination — Limitation on prohibition. Nothing contained in this chapter that refers to “sex” shall be construed to mandate joint use of restrooms, bath houses, and dressing rooms by males and females. History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 144, § 5.
§ 11-24-3.2. Age discrimination — Limitation on prohibition. For the purposes of this chapter, “age” is construed as anyone over the age of eighteen (18). History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 144, § 5.
§ 11-24-4. Enforcement of anti-discrimination provisions. The Rhode Island commission for human rights is empowered and directed, as provided in this section, to prevent any person from violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-24-1 — 11-24-3; provided, that before instituting a formal hearing it shall attempt by informal methods of conference, persuasion, and conciliation […]
§ 11-24-5. Liberal construction of provisions. The provisions of §§ 11-24-1 — 11-24-6 shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of their purposes, and any law inconsistent with their provisions shall not apply. Nothing contained in these sections shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of any law of this state relating to […]
§ 11-24-6. Severability of provisions. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of §§ 11-24-1 — 11-24-6 or their application to any person or circumstances shall, for any reason, be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the sections or their […]
§ 11-24-7. Discrimination against members of armed forces prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any common carrier, innkeeper, or proprietor or lessee of any place of public amusement or entertainment, or any agent, servant, or representative of any common carrier, innkeeper, proprietor, or lessee, to debar from the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, […]
§ 11-24-8. Civil action for discrimination against armed forces. Any person who is debarred from the enjoyment, contrary to the provision of § 11-24-7, shall be entitled to recover, in a civil action, from any corporation, association, or person guilty of the violation, his or her actual damages and one hundred dollars ($100) in addition, […]
