§ 12-28-10. Victims of domestic abuse — Employment discrimination.
(a) No employer, employment agency or licensing agency shall refuse to hire any applicant for employment, or discharge an employee or discriminate against him or her with respect to any matter related to employment, solely by reason of his or her seeking or obtaining a protective order pursuant to chapter 15 of title 15 or chapter 8.1 of title 8 or refusing to seek or obtain a protective order.
(b) In any civil action alleging a violation of this chapter, the court may:
(1) Award to a prevailing applicant or employee actual damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and, where the challenged conduct is shown to be motivated by malice or ill will, punitive damages; provided, punitive damages shall not be available against the state or its political subdivisions; and
(2) Afford injunctive relief against any employer, employment agency or licensing agency who commits or proposes to commit a violation of this chapter.
History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 405, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 129, art. 25, § 4; P.L. 1988, ch. 444, § 2; 12-28-11.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 12-28 - Victim’s Rights
Section 12-28-1. - Short title.
Section 12-28-2. - Legislative purpose.
Section 12-28-3. - General rights.
Section 12-28-4. - Right to address court prior to sentencing.
Section 12-28-4.1. - Right to address court regarding plea negotiation.
Section 12-28-4.2. - Representative of incapacitated victim.
Section 12-28-4.3. - Pretrial conferences — Misdemeanors in district court.
Section 12-28-5. - Civil judgment against defendant.
Section 12-28-5.1. - Restitution.
Section 12-28-6. - Right to address parole board.
Section 12-28-7. - Noncompliance not affecting validity of conviction, sentence, or parole.
Section 12-28-8. - Child victims.
Section 12-28-9. - Victims’ services unit.
Section 12-28-10. - Victims of domestic abuse — Employment discrimination.
Section 12-28-11. - Notification to immediate family members of homicide victims.