2017 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 23 - Health and Safety
Chapter 23-20.10 - Public Health and Workplace Safety Act
Section 23-20.10-14 - Prohibited condition of employment - Smoking by employees outside course of employment.
§ 23-20.10-14. Prohibited condition of employment - Smoking by employees outside course of employment.
(a) No employer or agent of any employer shall require, as a condition of employment, that any employee or prospective employee refrain from smoking or using tobacco products outside the course of his or her employment, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his or her compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment for smoking or using tobacco products outside the course of his or her employment. Provided, however, that the following employers shall be exempt from the provisions of this section: Any employer that is a nonprofit organization which as one of its primary purposes or objectives discourages the use of tobacco products by the general public.
(b) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section, the court may:
(1) Award up to three (3) times the actual damages to a prevailing employee or prospective employee;
(2) Award court costs to a prevailing employee or prospective employee;
(3) Afford injunctive relief against any employer who commits or proposes to commit a violation of this chapter.
(c) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect any other provisions of this title.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2004, ch. 198, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 209, § 2.)
