Walmart among stores forced to follow controversial new ‘three-for-one’ rule at self-checkout

“Whether it’s helping a customer with an issue, assisting a senior, or ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, this law is about preserving choice and keeping people at the center of the shopping experience,” he said.

Should retailers violate the law after it takes effect on January 1, 2027, penalties could be as high as $1,000 daily.

The law specifically states that fines can be “equal to wages for one eight-hour shift based on the highest wage for hourly retail clerks for each day on which there is a violation.”

Other notable requirements include maintaining at least one self-checkout lane that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This must be done during peak hours of between 8 am and 8 pm.

Penalties for this kind of violation could result in daily fines of $500.

Valarie J Lawson, Rhode Island Senate President, applauded SB 2342 earlier this summer, saying that it would improve the shopping experience for both customers and employees in the state.

“We’ve all experienced an issue using a self-service checkout and had to wait for an overtaxed employee to come over to resolve it, an experience that can be far more challenging for elderly members of the community,” Lawson noted.