R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-3
Severability
Operative Text
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part of this chapter is adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment will not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of it but will be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment has been rendered.
Rhode Island General Laws § 31-44.1-3 establishes a severability rule for Chapter 31-44.1, meaning that if any individual portion of the chapter is struck down by a court as invalid, only that specific portion is affected. The rest of the chapter continues in full force and effect, as though the invalidated portion had never been part of the controversy. This is a standard legal mechanism designed to preserve the integrity of the broader law even when one component is successfully challenged.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 31-44.1-3, property owners and managers can generally rely on the remaining provisions of Chapter 31-44.1 remaining enforceable even if a court invalidates one specific clause or section. Compliant operators typically continue to follow all other requirements of the chapter without interruption when a legal challenge targets only a discrete portion. Staying informed about any court rulings affecting specific sections of Chapter 31-44.1 helps operators understand which, if any, provisions may be temporarily or permanently affected.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 31-44.1-3 means that a court ruling invalidating one part of Chapter 31-44.1 does not wipe out the protections or requirements found in the rest of the chapter. Tenants can generally continue to rely on the other provisions of Chapter 31-44.1 even if a specific clause is successfully challenged in litigation. Those seeking to understand how a particular court ruling may affect their rights under this chapter may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource familiar with Rhode Island housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.