R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-112 § 42-112-1
Discrimination prohibited
Operative Text
(a) All persons within the state, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin, have, except as is otherwise provided or permitted by law, the same rights to make and enforce contracts, to inherit, purchase, to lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property, and are subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other. (b) For the purposes of this section, the right to "make and enforce contracts, to inherit, purchase, to lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property" includes the making, performance, modification and termination of contracts and rights concerning real or personal property, and the enjoyment of all benefits, terms, and conditions of the contractual and other relationships. (c) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect chapter 14.1 of title 37, chapter 5.1 of title 28, or any other remedial programs designed to address past societal discrimination. (d) For the purposes of this section, the terms "sex" and "age" have the same meaning as those terms are defined in § 28-5-6, the state fair employment practices act. The term "disability" has the same meaning as that term is defined in § 42-87-1, and the terms, as used regarding persons with disabilities, "auxiliary aids and services," "readily achievable," "reasonable accommodation," "reasonable modification," and "undue hardship" shall have the same meaning as those terms are defined in § 42-87-1.1. (e) For the purposes of this section, the term: (1) "Protective hairstyles" means and includes, but is not limited to, hair texture or hairstyles, if that hair texture or that hairstyle is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin (including a hairstyle in which hair is tightly coiled or tightly curled, locks, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros). (2) "Race" means and includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.
Rhode Island General Laws § 42-112-1 establishes that all people in the state have equal rights to make and enforce contracts, lease or purchase property, and access the full protections of law, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin. The provision explicitly extends the definition of 'race' to include hair texture and protective hairstyles—such as braids, locks, cornrows, and Afros—that are historically or commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Definitions of key terms like 'sex,' 'age,' and 'disability' are tied to existing Rhode Island statutes to ensure consistent interpretation across state law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rhode Island law are generally expected to apply the same leasing terms, conditions, and contractual rights to all applicants and tenants without regard to the characteristics protected under § 42-112-1, including race as broadly defined to encompass hair texture and protective hairstyles. Compliant operators typically review their application screening criteria, lease terms, and day-to-day management practices to ensure no protected characteristic—including disability-related accommodation needs as defined by reference to § 42-87-1—influences how individuals are treated. Maintaining consistent, documented policies across all tenants and applicants is a hallmark of operations aligned with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 42-112-1, Rhode Island tenants have the right to enter into, modify, and enjoy the full benefits of lease agreements free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin—and the law's definition of race explicitly covers hair texture and protective hairstyles. If a tenant believes a landlord has denied, altered, or terminated a housing contract on the basis of a protected characteristic, that tenant may have grounds to raise the violation as a defense in a legal proceeding or to file a complaint with a relevant state civil rights body. Tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island can help individuals understand how § 42-112-1 interacts with other state and federal fair housing protections.
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.
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