§ 40-9.1-1. Declaration of policy. It is the policy of this state that: (1) Persons who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard-of-hearing or otherwise have a disability have the same rights as the able-bodied to the full and free use of the streets, highways, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places. (2) Persons […]
§ 40-9.1-1.1. Definitions. (1) “Disability” means a disability as defined in § 42-87-1. (2) “Guide dog” means a dog that has been, or is being, specially trained to aid a particular blind or visually impaired person. (3) “Hearing dog” means a dog that has been, or is being, specially trained to aid a particular deaf […]
§ 40-9.1-2. Service animals in public places. Every person with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a service animal, specially trained for that person, in any place listed in § 40-9.1-1 without being required to pay an extra charge for the personal assistance animal. Each person with a disability using a service […]
§ 40-9.1-2.1. Trainers of service animals. Every trainer or puppy raiser of a service animal shall have the same rights and privileges as stated in § 40-9.1-2 for every person with a disability. Each trainer or puppy raiser during the training of a service animal is liable for any damage done to persons, premises, or […]
§ 40-9.1-3. Penalty for injuring or interfering with a service animal — Civil actions — Damages — Costs and attorney’s fees. (a) It is unlawful for any person, corporation, or the agent of any corporation to: (1) Withhold, deny, deprive, or attempt to withhold, deny, or deprive, any other person of any right or privilege […]
§ 40-9.1-3.1. Misrepresentation of service animal. (a) It is a violation of this chapter for an individual to take an animal into a public area where pets are not permitted, and state that the animal is a service animal entitled to be present, if the animal is not a service animal. (b) Businesses may post […]
§ 40-9.1-4. Enforcement of anti-discrimination provisions. The Rhode Island commission for human rights is empowered and directed, as hereinafter provided, to prevent any person from violating any of the provisions of this chapter; provided, that before instituting a formal hearing, it shall attempt by informal methods of conference, persuasion, and conciliation, to induce compliance with […]
§ 40-9.1-5. Therapy pets in public places. (a) The privileges of access and transportation provided to service animals in § 40-9.1-2 shall be extended to family therapy pets, which are further defined as primary companions which include, but are not limited to, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, that are working in the provision of […]
§ 40-9.1-6. Closed-captioning activation required. (a) On request, a place of public accommodation shall keep closed-captioning activated on any closed-captioning television receiver that is in use during regular hours in any public area. (b) This section does not require a place of public accommodation to make closed-captioning available in a public area at the place […]
§ 40-9.1-7. Non-interference with federal law. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any rights provided by federal law to individuals with disabilities. History of Section.P.L. 2019, ch. 96, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 131, § 2.
