Requires businesses that conduct business to register and maintain required filings with the secretary of state so that consumers and small businesses may readily identify responsible parties, verify good standing, and effectuate service of process.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require businesses operating in Rhode Island to register with the Secretary of State's office and keep their business filings up to date. The goal is to make it easier for consumers and other small businesses to find out who is responsible for running a particular business, confirm that the business is operating legally and in good standing, and know how to formally contact or take legal action against that business if needed.

Under this bill, any business conducting activity in Rhode Island would need to maintain accurate, current information on file with the state. This is intended to close gaps where some businesses may be operating without being properly registered or may have let their filings lapse, making it difficult for the public to identify who is truly accountable.

The bill most directly affects businesses — particularly those that may not currently be registered or that have outdated information on file with the state. For everyday consumers and small business owners, the bill is meant to be a protection: if you have a dispute with a company or need to take legal action, you would have a clearer, more reliable way to identify the responsible parties and how to reach them.

As of now, the bill has been referred to the House Corporations Committee and was scheduled for a hearing in March 2026, but the committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward in the legislative process.