2016 -- H 7736

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LC004881

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION IN STATE

CONTRACTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Keable, Shekarchi, Craven, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 37 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC PROPERTY AND

WORKS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 2.6

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION IN STATE CONTRACTS

     37-2.6-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Anti-

Discrimination in State Contracts Act".

     37-2.6-2. Definitions. – (a) The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this

section as follows:

     (1) "Boycott" means to blacklist, divest from, sanction or otherwise refuse to deal with a

person, firm or entity, or a public entity of a foreign state, when the action is based on race, color,

religion, gender, or nationality of the targeted person, firm, entity or public entity of a foreign

state. Boycott does not include:

     (i) A decision based on a bona fide business or economic reasons;

     (ii) A boycott against a public entity of a foreign state when the boycott is applied in a

nondiscriminatory manner; and

     (iii) Boycotts or divestments of particular jurisdictions that are specifically authorized or

required by federal law or state law.

     (2) "Public entity" means the state, or any political subdivisions of the state, including,

but not limited to, any of its agencies, departments, institutions or school districts.

     (3) A "jurisdiction with whom the state can enjoy open trade" means states that are

members of the World Trade Organization.

     37-2.6-3. Discrimination in state contracts prohibited. – A public entity shall not enter

into a contract with a business to acquire or dispose of supplies, services, information technology,

or construction unless the contract includes a representation that the business is not currently

engaged in, and an agreement that the business will not during the duration of the contract engage

in the boycott of any person, firm or entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with

whom the state can enjoy open trade, and/or the boycott of any public agencies, entities or

instrumentalities of the jurisdiction with whom the state can enjoy open trade.

     37-2.6-4. Applicability and exemptions. – This section shall not apply if a business fails

to meet the requirements of §37-2.6-3, but contracts to provide the goods or services for at least

twenty percent (20%) less than the lowest certifying business. And provided further, this section

shall not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION IN STATE

CONTRACTS

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     This act would create the "Anti-Discrimination in State Contracts Act." This act would

prohibit discrimination in the distribution of state contracts.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004881

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