Rhode Island law
Business Laws in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island has adopted the Rhode Island Business Corporation Act and the Rhode Island Limited Liability Company Act. LLCs are the dominant entity. Rhode Island has adopted the UCC. Rhode Island enforces noncompetes only under narrow reasonableness review. Notable 2019 legislation (H 5762) prohibited noncompetes for employees earning below 250% of the federal poverty level, healthcare workers at certain facilities, and specified other categories. The Rhode Island Secretary of State administers business filings.
Last verified: 2026-04-17
State law
Key Rhode Island Statutes
Governs formation, governance, mergers, dissolutions, and shareholder rights of Rhode Island for-profit corporations.
Governs formation, operating agreements, management, and dissolution of LLCs.
Prohibits noncompete agreements with employees earning below 250% of federal poverty level, nonexempt (hourly) employees, employees 18 or younger, and undergraduate/graduate students. Healthcare workers (specified) prohibited from non-competes under separate provisions.
Provides civil remedies for misappropriation of trade secrets including injunctive relief, damages, and exemplary damages up to 2x for willful misappropriation.
Rhode Island's adoption of the UCC governing sales of goods, leases, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, and related commercial matters.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.
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