§ 39-2-2. Rate discrimination.
(a) If any public utility or any agent or officer of a public utility, as defined in chapter 1 of this title, shall directly or indirectly, by any device whatsoever, or otherwise, charge, demand, collect, or receive from any person, firm, or corporation a greater or less compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by it, in, or affecting, or relating to the transportation of persons or property between points within this state, the distribution of electricity, or the production, transmission, delivery, or furnishing of heat, or water, or the conveyance of telegraph or telephone messages, or for any service in connection therewith, than that prescribed in the published schedules or tariffs then in force or established as provided herein, or than it charges, demands, collects, or receives from any other person, firm, or corporation for a like and contemporaneous service, under substantially similar circumstances and conditions, the public utility shall be guilty of unjust discrimination which is hereby prohibited and declared to be unlawful and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense; and the agent or officer so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense.
(b) Nothing in this section or any other provision of the law shall be construed to prohibit the giving by any public utility of free or reduced-rate service to any elderly person as defined by the division.
History of Section.P.L. 1912, ch. 795, § 39; G.L. 1923, ch. 253, § 39; G.L. 1938, ch. 122, § 36; G.L. 1956, § 39-22; P.L. 1971, ch. 256, § 1; P.L. 1971, ch. 265, § 3; P.L. 1972, ch. 205, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 316, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 39-2 - Duties of Utilities and Carriers
Section 39-2-1. - Reasonable and adequate services — Reasonable and just charges.
Section 39-2-1.1. - Services to new occupants.
Section 39-2-1.2. - Utility base rate — Advertising, demand-side management, and renewables.
Section 39-2-1.3. - Payment for cellular telephone services — Late charges.
Section 39-2-1.4. - Reasonable backup or supplemental rates.
Section 39-2-2. - Rate discrimination.
Section 39-2-3. - Unreasonable preferences or prejudices.
Section 39-2-4. - Acceptance of unlawful rebates or advantages.
Section 39-2-5. - Exceptions to anti-discrimination provisions.
Section 39-2-6. - Repair and construction of highway bridges used by street railways.
Section 39-2-7. - Civil liability for violations — Limitation of actions.
Section 39-2-8. - Penalty for violations.
Section 39-2-9. - Uniform services and rates of carriers.
Section 39-2-10. - Injunction or mandamus.
Section 39-2-11. - Penalty for refusal of carrier to receive and transport.
Section 39-2-12. - Civil liability of carrier for refusal.
Section 39-2-13. - Admission of guide dogs.
Section 39-2-14. - [Repealed.]
Section 39-2-15. - Interference with construction — Notice.
Section 39-2-16. , 39-2-17. - [Renumbered.]
Section 39-2-18. - Shutoff devices for gas appliances.
Section 39-2-19. - Display of identification cards required.
Section 39-2-20. - Communications common carriers — Duty to disclose certain information.
Section 39-2-20.1. - Internet service providers — Duty to disclose certain information.
Section 39-2-22. - Seven-digit dialing option.
Section 39-2-23. - Safe termination of service — Qualified employees.
Section 39-2-24. - Confidentiality of telephone records.
Section 39-2-25. - Contact voltage, detection, repair, and reporting.
Section 39-2-26. - Emergency response plans.
Section 39-2-28. - Levied penalties to be credited back to customers.