2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-61 - Telephone Sales Solicitation Act
§ 5-61-5.1 - Remedies, Injunctive relief and civil penalties.

SECTION 5-61-5.1

   § 5-61-5.1  Remedies, Injunctive relief and civil penalties. – (a) Any purchaser may have a right of action against a telephonic seller which is in material violation of this chapter. The purchaser may recover triple the amount actually paid to the telephonic seller. In addition to any judgment awarded to the purchaser, the court may allow reasonable attorney's fees to be taxed as cost.

   (b) The superior court of this state shall have jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter. The court may issue appropriate decrees upon consent and stipulation by the parties. The court may also issue restraining orders. Under no circumstances shall the state be required to post bond in any action under this section.

   (c) The department may institute proceedings to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

   (d) The department may bring an action to obtain a declaratory judgment that an act or practice violates the provisions of this chapter.

   (e) Any person may institute proceedings for injunctive relief, temporary or permanent, as provided in subsection (b) of this section, against threatened loss or damage by a violation of this chapter. A preliminary injunction may be issued upon a showing that the danger of irreparable loss or damage is immediate and, within the court's discretion, the execution of a property bond against damages for an injunction improvidently granted. If the court issues a permanent injunction, the plaintiff shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of the suit. Reasonable costs of the suit may include, but not be limited to, the expenses of discovery and document production.

   (f) In any action brought under this section, the court may make appropriate orders, including appointment of a master or receiver or sequestration of assets, to reimburse purchasers found to have been damaged, to carry out a transaction in accordance with the purchaser's reasonable expectations, or to grant other appropriate relief. The court may assess expenses of a master or receiver against a telephonic seller.

   (g) In addition to injunctive relief authorized pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who violates this chapter may be liable for a civil penalty in a suit by the department of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation. The department or the court may waive any civil penalty or other fines or costs if the person has previously made full restitution or reimbursement or has paid actual damages to the purchasers who have been injured by the unlawful act or practice.