Title 3, Title 3 Beverages

As used in this chapter: (1) “Agreement” means any contract, agreement, or arrangement, whether expressed or implied, whether oral or written, for a definite or indefinite period between a supplier and a wholesaler pursuant to which a wholesaler has the right to purchase, resell,…

No supplier or wholesaler shall restrict or inhibit, directly or indirectly, the right of free association among suppliers or wholesalers for any lawful purpose.

(a) If a supplier or wholesaler who is a party to an agreement pursuant to § 3-13-5(6) fails to comply with this chapter or otherwise engages in conduct prohibited under this chapter, the affected party may maintain a civil action in the superior court in the county in which the …

If any provision of this chapter is held unconstitutional, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter.

(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its remedial purposes and policies. (b) The purposes and policies of this chapter are: (1) To regulate agreements between suppliers and their wholesalers to benefit the economy and enhance competition in this st…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), no supplier or wholesaler may cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate an agreement unless the supplier or wholesaler furnishes prior notification in accordance with subsection (b) to the affected party. (b) The notification required…

No supplier or wholesaler may cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate an agreement unless the party intending that action has good cause for that action and, in any case in which prior notification is required under § 3-13-3, the party intending to act has furnished prior n…

No supplier shall: (1) Induce or coerce, or attempt to induce or coerce, any wholesaler to accept delivery of any malt beverage or any other item or commodity which has not been ordered by the wholesaler. Provided, that recommendation, endorsement, exposition, persuasion, or argu…

(a) No supplier shall, by the terms of an agreement or otherwise, unreasonably withhold or delay approval of any assignment, sale, or transfer of the stock of a wholesaler or all or any portion of a wholesaler’s assets, wholesaler’s voting stock, the voting stock of any parent co…

(a) Any supplier which without good cause cancels, terminates or fails to renew any agreement, or unlawfully causes a wholesaler to resign from an agreement or unreasonably denies or withholds consent to any assignment, transfer or sale of business assets or capital stock or othe…

Except for discontinuance of all sales of a brand or brands in this state or for good cause, any person who purchases a supplier becomes obligated to all of the terms of any agreement in effect on the date of purchase. The acquiring supplier is not obligated to supply its brand o…

No supplier who, pursuant to an agreement with a wholesaler, has designated a sales territory for which a wholesaler is primarily responsible or in which a wholesaler is required to concentrate its efforts shall enter into an agreement with any other wholesaler for the purpose of…

This chapter shall be known as the “Rhode Island Liquor Liability Act”.

(a) A plaintiff’s settlement and proper release of either the intoxicated tortfeasor or a defendant, as defined in § 3-14-5, will not bar potential claims against any other defendant(s). (b) The amount paid to a plaintiff in consideration for the settlement and proper release of …

Any action under this chapter against a defendant alleging negligent or reckless conduct must be brought within three (3) years after the cause of action accrues.

(a) Proof of defendant’s responsible serving practices is admissible as evidence that the server was not negligent or reckless. Responsible serving practices include, but are not limited to: (1) Defendant’s and defendant’s employees’ attendance at a server education training cour…

(a) No licensee is liable for damages resulting from a good faith refusal to serve liquor to any individual who: (1) Fails to show proper identification of age; (2) Reasonably appears to be a minor; or (3) Is refused service in a good faith effort to prevent him or her from becom…

(a) Primary legislative purpose. The primary legislative purpose of this chapter is to prevent intoxication-related injuries, deaths and other damages among Rhode Island’s population. (b) Secondary purposes. The secondary legislative purposes are: (1) To establish a legal basis f…

As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “Adult” means any person twenty-one (21) years of age or older. (b) “Intoxicated individual” means an individual who is in a state of intoxication as defined by t…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any person who suffers damage, as provided in § 3-14-8, may bring an action under this chapter. This chapter shall not be construed to limit any currently existing common law or statutory right. (b) The following persons may not bring an …

The following persons who commit an act giving rise to liability, as provided in § 3-14-6, may be made defendants to a claim under this chapter: (1) An alcoholic beverage retail licensee, and any employee or agent of this licensee; or (2) Any person who, at the time of an act giv…

(a) A defendant, as described in § 3-14-5, who negligently serves liquor to a minor is liable for damages proximately caused by the minor’s consumption of the liquor. (b) A defendant, as defined in § 3-14-5, who negligently serves liquor to a visibly intoxicated individual is lia…

(a) A defendant, as defined in § 3-14-5, who recklessly provides liquor to a minor is liable for damages proximately caused by that minor’s consumption of the liquor. (b) A defendant, as defined in § 3-14-5, who recklessly serves liquor to a visibly intoxicated individual is liab…

(a) Damages may be awarded for all injuries recognized under Rhode Island common or statutory law. (b) Punitive damages may be awarded in all actions based on reckless conduct, as set forth in § 3-14-7(c). Punitive damages may not be awarded for actions based on negligent conduct…

Common law claims and defenses applicable to tort actions based on negligence and recklessness in this state shall not be limited by this chapter.