Regulation

Rhode Island Is Regulating Grocery Checkout Lines Now

A new law requires grocery stores to keep one staffed checkout open for every three self-checkout stations.

Reem Ibrahim | 7.9.2026 11:32 AM

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(Midjourney)

Lines at Rhode Island grocery stores are about to get a whole lot longer.

In late June, Rhode Island became the first state to limit grocery self-checkout lanes after Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee signed the Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout Stations Act. The legislation mandates that every grocery store in the state have at least one staffed checkout for every three self-checkouts operating. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, and failure to comply can result in fines of up to $500 per day.

"Today, we're protecting jobs and strengthening customer service," McKee said in a press release. "Whether it's helping a customer with an issue, assisting a senior or ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, this law is about preserving choice and keeping people at the center of the shopping experience."

The bill's supporters frame the policy as both a consumer protection and job protection measure. State Rep. Megan Cotter (D–Exeter) argued that self-checkout lanes are "specifically used to reduce the number of people that stores employ, and the number of hours that their employees work." Cotter also accused "big corporations" of trying to get customers to........

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