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  "data": {
    "topic": "non-compete",
    "state": "rhode-island",
    "frontmatter": {
      "title": "Non-Competes in Rhode Island",
      "description": "Rhode Island bans non-competes for several worker categories and regulated professions, while other restrictive covenants remain governed by strict common-law reasonableness limits and trade-secret law.",
      "state": "Rhode Island",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-02",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0",
      "authors": [
        "steven-obiajulu"
      ],
      "summary": {
        "enforceability": "payThreshold",
        "bottomLine": "Rhode Island applies common-law reasonableness to most workers but bans non-competes for low-wage and several other worker categories (FLSA-nonexempt, student interns, age 18 or younger) and for physicians and APRNs.",
        "keyLaw": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3 (Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act)",
        "exceptions": "Worker-category bans (low-wage, FLSA-nonexempt, interns, ≤18); physician (§ 5-37-33) and APRN (§ 5-34-50) bans with a 5-year sale-of-practice exception; non-solicits/NDAs/sale excluded from definition",
        "banEffectiveDate": "Physician/APRN bans eff. June 17, 2024 (worker-category ban date not stated in note)",
        "courtNarrowing": "rewrite",
        "appliesToContractors": "no",
        "extendedForBreach": "Not addressed",
        "maxLength": "No general statutory length limit; physician/APRN sale-of-practice exception capped at 5 years",
        "noticeRequirement": "None",
        "incomeThreshold": "≤250% federal poverty level",
        "saleOfBusiness": "Excluded from statutory definition",
        "customerNonSolicit": "Excluded from statutory definition",
        "employeeNonSolicit": "Excluded from statutory definition"
      },
      "about": [
        "Rhode Island non-compete agreements",
        "Rhode Island restrictive covenants",
        "Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act",
        "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3",
        "Rhode Island physician non-competes",
        "Rhode Island APRN non-competes",
        "Rhode Island customer non-solicitation agreements",
        "Rhode Island trade secrets"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "language": "中文",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Español",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Português",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Deutsch",
          "status": "planned"
        }
      ],
      "relatedForm": {
        "slug": "openagreements-restrictive-covenant-rhode-island"
      }
    },
    "questions": [
      {
        "slug": "employee-non-compete-enforceability",
        "label": "Are employee non-competes enforceable?",
        "heading": "Are employee non-compete agreements enforceable in Rhode Island?",
        "answerText": "Often no for covered workers. The Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act makes a non-compete unenforceable against FLSA-nonexempt employees, student interns, workers age 18 or younger, and low-wage employees.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "rinaa-covered-workers",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3(a).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-3.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-3 supports the rule that Rhode Island non-competes are unenforceable against FLSA-nonexempt employees, student interns, workers age 18 or younger, and low-wage employees.",
            "verbatimQuote": "A noncompetition agreement shall not be enforceable against the following types of workers:",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-covered-workers"
          },
          {
            "id": "rinaa-employee-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2(3).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-2.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-2 defines employee for Chapter 28-59 and excludes independent contractors.",
            "verbatimQuote": "“Employee” means an individual who works for hire, including an individual employed in a supervisory, managerial, or confidential position, but shall not include an independent contractor.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-employee-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "rinaa-low-wage-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2(7).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-2.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-2 defines low-wage employee by reference to 250 percent of the federal poverty level for individuals.",
            "verbatimQuote": "“Low-wage employee” means an employee whose average annual earnings, as defined in subsection (2), are not more than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level for individuals as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-low-wage-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "durapin-reasonableness-baseline",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Durapin, Inc. v. American Products, Inc.",
            "citation": "Durapin, Inc. v. Am. Prods., Inc., 559 A.2d 1051, 1053 (R.I. 1989).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/#:~:text=However%2C%20since%20such%20provisions%20are,in%20whose%20favor%20it%20runs.",
            "proposition": "Durapin supports Rhode Island's common-law baseline that non-competes are disfavored and enforced only if reasonable and no broader than necessary.",
            "verbatimQuote": "However, since such provisions are not favored, they are subject to judicial scrutiny and will be enforced as written only if the contract is reasonable and does not extend beyond what is apparently necessary for the protection of those in whose favor it runs.",
            "date": "1989-05-12",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-durapin-reasonableness-baseline"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "excluded-covenants",
        "label": "What restrictions are excluded?",
        "heading": "What Rhode Island restrictions are excluded from the statutory non-compete definition?",
        "answerText": "Rhode Island excludes several common restraints from the Chapter 28-59 definition of a noncompetition agreement, including employee non-solicits, customer non-solicits, confidentiality agreements, and sale-of-business covenants.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "rinaa-noncompete-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2(8).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-2.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-2 defines noncompetition agreement and excludes employee non-solicits, customer non-solicits, sale-of-business covenants, confidentiality agreements, and several other agreements.",
            "verbatimQuote": "“Noncompetition agreement” means an agreement between an employer and an employee, or otherwise arising out of an existing or anticipated employment relationship, under which the employee or expected employee agrees that he or she will not engage in certain specified activities competitive with his or her employer after the employment relationship has ended.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-noncompete-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "rinaa-confidentiality-exclusion",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-2(8)(vi).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-2.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-2 excludes nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements from the statutory definition of noncompetition agreement.",
            "verbatimQuote": "(vi) Nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements;",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-confidentiality-exclusion"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "common-law-reasonableness",
        "label": "What is the common-law test?",
        "heading": "What common-law test applies to Rhode Island restrictive covenants not banned by statute?",
        "answerText": "Rhode Island applies strict reasonableness review. The party seeking enforcement must show a valid underlying relationship, adequate consideration, a legitimate interest, and a restraint no broader than reasonably necessary.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "durapin-enforcement-elements",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Durapin, Inc. v. American Products, Inc.",
            "citation": "Durapin, Inc. v. Am. Prods., Inc., 559 A.2d 1051, 1053 (R.I. 1989).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/#:~:text=Before%20a%20court%20reaches%20this,of%20a%20business%2C%20Restatement%20(Second)",
            "proposition": "Durapin supports Rhode Island's common-law enforcement elements for non-competes.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Before a court reaches this question, however, the party seeking to enforce a noncompetition provision must show that (1) the provision is ancillary to an otherwise valid transaction or relationship, such as an employment contract or a contract for the purchase and sale of a business, Restatement (Second)",
            "date": "1989-05-12",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-durapin-enforcement-elements"
          },
          {
            "id": "cranston-strict-scrutiny",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Cranston Print Works Co. v. Pothier",
            "citation": "Cranston Print Works Co. v. Pothier, 848 A.2d 213, 219 (R.I. 2004).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2195476/cranston-print-works-co-v-pothier/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2195476/cranston-print-works-co-v-pothier/#:~:text=It%20is%20well%20settled%20that,subject%20to%20strict%20judicial%20scrutiny.",
            "proposition": "Cranston Print Works supports strict judicial scrutiny for covenants not to compete.",
            "verbatimQuote": "It is well settled that covenants not to compete are disfavored and subject to strict judicial scrutiny.",
            "date": "2004-05-21",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-cranston-strict-scrutiny"
          },
          {
            "id": "cranston-necessity-limit",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Cranston Print Works Co. v. Pothier",
            "citation": "Cranston Print Works Co. v. Pothier, 848 A.2d 213, 220 (R.I. 2004).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2195476/cranston-print-works-co-v-pothier/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2195476/cranston-print-works-co-v-pothier/#:~:text=courts%20should%20uphold%20them%20only,protect%20the%20promisee%E2%80%99s%20legitimate%20interests.",
            "proposition": "Cranston Print Works supports enforcing unlimited restraints only to the extent necessary to protect legitimate interests.",
            "verbatimQuote": "courts should uphold them only to the extent they are necessary to protect the promisee’s legitimate interests.",
            "date": "2004-05-21",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-cranston-necessity-limit"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "continued-employment-termination",
        "label": "Does continued employment count?",
        "heading": "Does continued employment support a Rhode Island restrictive covenant?",
        "answerText": "It can. In Walls, the Rhode Island Supreme Court treated continued at-will employment, plus training and licensure support, as part of a lawful exchange supporting a 24-month customer restriction.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "walls-continued-employment",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls",
            "citation": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls, 313 A.3d 616, 625 (R.I. 2024).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/#:~:text=employment%20relationship%20with%20plaintiff%3A%20In%20consideration%20for%20continued%20employment",
            "proposition": "Walls supports treating continued employment and employer-provided training as consideration for a Rhode Island customer restriction.",
            "verbatimQuote": "employment relationship with plaintiff: In consideration for continued employment",
            "date": "2024-01-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-walls-continued-employment"
          },
          {
            "id": "walls-involuntary-termination",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls",
            "citation": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls, 313 A.3d 616, 627 (R.I. 2024).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/#:~:text=Walls%E2%80%99s%20argument%20that%20an%20involuntary,termination%20would%20preclude%20enforcement%20of",
            "proposition": "Walls supports enforcement after involuntary termination when the covenant is not limited by the circumstances of termination.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Walls’s argument that an involuntary termination would preclude enforcement of",
            "date": "2024-01-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-walls-involuntary-termination"
          },
          {
            "id": "walls-customer-scope",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls",
            "citation": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls, 313 A.3d 616, 626 (R.I. 2024).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/#:~:text=month%20period%2C%20and%20extends%20only,and%20previous%20clients%2C%20rather%20than",
            "proposition": "Walls supports a 24-month customer-based restraint limited to current and prior customers rather than a geographic territory.",
            "verbatimQuote": "month period, and extends only to plaintiff’s current and previous clients, rather than",
            "date": "2024-01-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-walls-customer-scope"
          },
          {
            "id": "walls-pi-posture",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls",
            "citation": "Griggs & Browne Pest Control Co. v. Walls, 313 A.3d 616, 623 (R.I. 2024).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9457984/griggs-browne-pest-control-co-inc-v-brian-walls/#:~:text=This%20Court%20reviews%20a%20trial,for%20an%20abuse%20of%20discretion.",
            "proposition": "Walls reviewed the grant of a preliminary injunction for abuse of discretion, so it does not finally adjudicate the covenant's validity.",
            "verbatimQuote": "This Court reviews a trial justice’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction for an abuse of discretion.",
            "date": "2024-01-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-walls-pi-posture"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "court-narrowing",
        "label": "Will courts narrow overbroad covenants?",
        "heading": "Will Rhode Island courts narrow an overbroad non-compete?",
        "answerText": "Usually yes if equitable. Durapin adopted partial enforcement rather than an all-or-nothing or mechanical blue-pencil rule, absent bad faith or deliberate overreaching.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "durapin-partial-enforcement",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Durapin, Inc. v. American Products, Inc.",
            "citation": "Durapin, Inc. v. Am. Prods., Inc., 559 A.2d 1051, 1058-59 (R.I. 1989).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/#:~:text=We%20believe%20this%20is%20the,the%20part%20of%20the%20promisee.",
            "proposition": "Durapin adopts partial enforcement for unreasonable covenants unless circumstances indicate bad faith or deliberate overreaching.",
            "verbatimQuote": "We believe this is the appropriate time to choose the route that permits unreasonable restraints to be modified and enforced, whether or not their terms are divisible, unless the circumstances indicate bad faith or deliberate overreaching on the part of the promisee.",
            "date": "1989-05-12",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-durapin-partial-enforcement"
          },
          {
            "id": "durapin-no-further-than-necessary",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Durapin, Inc. v. American Products, Inc.",
            "citation": "Durapin, Inc. v. Am. Prods., Inc., 559 A.2d 1051, 1059 (R.I. 1989).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2334248/durapin-inc-v-american-products-inc/#:~:text=Even%20under%20this%20approach%20a,protect%20a%20promisee%E2%80%99s%20legitimate%20interests.",
            "proposition": "Durapin limits judicial enforcement to what is reasonably necessary to protect legitimate interests.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Even under this approach a court will go no further in granting relief than is reasonably necessary to protect a promisee’s legitimate interests.",
            "date": "1989-05-12",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-durapin-no-further-than-necessary"
          },
          {
            "id": "rinaa-severability-remedy",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3(b).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-3.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-3 preserves the remainder of a contract containing an unenforceable non-compete and allows court-imposed restrictions as remedies for other breaches or duties.",
            "verbatimQuote": "This section does not render void or unenforceable the remainder of a contract or agreement containing the unenforceable noncompetition agreement, nor does it preclude the imposition of a noncompetition restriction by a court, whether through preliminary or permanent injunctive relief or otherwise, as a remedy for a breach of another agreement or of a statutory or common law duty.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-severability-remedy"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "profession-specific-bans",
        "label": "Which professions have special bans?",
        "heading": "Which Rhode Island professions have special non-compete bans?",
        "answerText": "Rhode Island has separate statutory bans for physicians and advanced practice registered nurses, each with a sale-of-practice exception for covenants lasting no more than five years.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "physician-restrictive-covenants",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-33",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-33(a).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-37/5-37-33.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 5-37-33 voids physician practice restrictions and preserves a sale-of-practice exception for covenants lasting no more than five years.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Any contract or agreement that creates or establishes the terms of a partnership, employment, or any other form of professional relationship with a physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to this chapter that includes any restriction of the right of such physician to practice medicine shall be void and unenforceable with respect to said restriction; provided, however, that nothing herein shall render void or unenforceable the remaining provisions of any such contract or agreement.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-physician-restrictive-covenants"
          },
          {
            "id": "aprn-restrictive-covenants",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50(a).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-34/5-34-50.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 5-34-50 voids APRN practice restrictions and preserves a sale-of-practice exception for covenants lasting no more than five years.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Any contract or agreement that creates or establishes the terms of a partnership, employment, or any other form of professional relationship with an advanced practice registered nurse (“APRN”) licensed to practice pursuant to § 5-34-45 that includes any restriction of the right of the APRN to practice shall be void and unenforceable with respect to said restriction; provided, however, that nothing herein shall render void or unenforceable the remaining provisions of any such contract or agreement.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-aprn-restrictive-covenants"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "trade-secrets",
        "label": "How do trade secrets affect drafting?",
        "heading": "How do Rhode Island trade-secret rules affect non-compete drafting?",
        "answerText": "Rhode Island trade-secret law is the main confidentiality alternative to a non-compete. RIUTSA protects qualifying information and authorizes injunctions for actual or threatened misappropriation.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "riutsa-trade-secret-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-1",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-1(4).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE6/6-41/6-41-1.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 6-41-1 defines trade secret for Rhode Island trade-secret law.",
            "verbatimQuote": "“Trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that:",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-riutsa-trade-secret-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "riutsa-injunctive-relief",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-2",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-2(a).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE6/6-41/6-41-2.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 6-41-2 authorizes injunctions for actual or threatened trade-secret misappropriation.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Actual or threatened misappropriation may be enjoined.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-riutsa-injunctive-relief"
          },
          {
            "id": "rinaa-trade-secret-preserved",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3(c).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-3.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 28-59-3 preserves agreements not to share employer trade-secret information after employment.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Nothing in this section shall preclude an employer from entering into an agreement with an employee not to share any information, including after the employee is no longer employed by the employer, regarding the employer or the employment that is a trade secret.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-trade-secret-preserved"
          },
          {
            "id": "riutsa-contract-remedies",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-7",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-41-7(b).",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE6/6-41/6-41-7.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 6-41-7 preserves contractual remedies despite RIUTSA displacement of conflicting civil remedies.",
            "verbatimQuote": "This chapter does not affect:",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-riutsa-contract-remedies"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "recent-developments",
        "label": "What recent changes matter?",
        "heading": "What recent Rhode Island and federal developments should employers monitor?",
        "answerText": "As of June 2, 2026, Rhode Island's enacted baseline remains Chapter 28-59 plus profession-specific statutes and common law. Recent proposals and federal activity matter for monitoring, but they should not be treated as the current Rhode Island rule unless enacted or effective.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "rinaa-current-baseline",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 28-59-1 to 28-59-3",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-1.",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-1.htm",
            "proposition": "Chapter 28-59 remains the enacted Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act baseline for employee non-compete restrictions.",
            "verbatimQuote": "This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act.”",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-rinaa-current-baseline"
          },
          {
            "id": "aprn-current-baseline",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50",
            "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50, history.",
            "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-34/5-34-50.htm",
            "proposition": "Section 5-34-50 is the enacted 2024 APRN restrictive-covenant statute.",
            "verbatimQuote": "P.L. 2024, ch. 118, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 128, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/rhode-island#src-aprn-current-baseline"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}