rhode Island Lawmakers Approve Unprecedented Data Privacy Bill Following Multi-State Consumer Backlash
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — In a landmark legislative session on Monday, state lawmakers in Rhode Island passed a sweeping data privacy bill, House Bill 7342, designed to enshrine stringent consumer protections and set a new national precedent. The approval comes after a sustained, multi-state backlash over corporate data collection practices, targeting what critics call the "rhode island loophole" in federal regulations. The bill mandates that companies obtain explicit opt-in consent before collecting personal information, bans the sale of biometric data without court order, and creates a dedicated state enforcement unit with the power to levy fines up to $15,000 per violation. The legislation, which now awaits the governor's signature, is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, impacting over 1.5 million residents and businesses operating within the state.