Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in-store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Equal Access to Food Discounts

This bill would require grocery stores and other food retailers in Rhode Island to give all shoppers the same discounts, whether they use electronic digital coupons (typically accessed through a store app or loyalty program on a smartphone) or shop in person without using any digital technology. In other words, if a store offers a sale price through its app or digital coupon system, it must also honor that same lower price for customers who simply walk in and shop without using a phone or app.

The bill is designed to protect shoppers who may not own a smartphone, lack reliable internet access, or simply prefer not to use digital loyalty programs. These customers — who often include seniors, low-income individuals, and people with limited technology access — currently may end up paying higher prices at the same store for the same products compared to customers who use digital coupons. Under this bill, retailers could not withhold those discounts based on whether a customer uses digital tools.

This legislation would affect any food retailer in Rhode Island that currently offers digital-only coupon discounts, potentially requiring them to change how their pricing and discount systems work. It falls under the state's unfair sales practices laws, meaning violations could carry legal consequences for businesses that don't comply.

Currently, the bill has been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee and has been recommended for further study, meaning it has not yet been voted on or passed into law.