R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-45 § 34-45-12
Severability
Operative Text
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this chapter, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been entered.
Section 34-45-12 of Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 34-45 establishes a severability rule for the chapter as a whole. If a court finds any specific clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of the chapter to be legally invalid, that ruling applies only to the portion directly at issue and does not strike down the rest of the chapter. The remaining provisions continue in full force as if the invalidated portion had never been part of the legal challenge.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-45-12, property owners and managers can take note that the chapter's obligations do not automatically collapse if one part of it is successfully challenged in court. A compliant operator generally continues to follow all other provisions of Chapter 34-45 that have not been specifically invalidated by a court ruling. Staying informed about any judicial decisions affecting specific sections helps operators understand which requirements remain in effect.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-45-12 means that a court ruling striking down one part of Chapter 34-45 does not eliminate the protections found in other parts of the chapter. Tenants retain rights under all provisions that have not been specifically invalidated, and those rights remain enforceable through the same channels that apply to the chapter generally. Tenant-rights organizations can help clarify which portions of Chapter 34-45 remain in effect following any court decision.
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
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation