Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 38.3
Motor Vehicle Repair Shop Act

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38.3-6

§ 5-38.3-6. Injunctive relief and civil penalties.

(a) The superior court of this state has jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter. In addition to granting prohibitory injunctive and other restraints for a period of time and upon terms and conditions necessary to deter and insure against the committing of future violations of this chapter, the court may grant injunctive relief reasonably necessary to dissipate the ill effects of the violation. The court may issue appropriate decrees upon consent and stipulation by the parties. The court may also issue restraining orders. Under no circumstances is the state required to post bond in any action under this section.

(b) The attorney general may institute proceedings to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter as provided in subsection (a).

(c) Any person may institute proceedings for injunctive relief, temporary or permanent, as provided in subsection (a), against threatened loss or damage to his or her property by a violation of this chapter. A preliminary injunction may be issued upon a showing that the danger of irreparable loss or damage is immediate and, within the court’s discretion, the execution of property bond against damages for an injunction improvidently granted. If the court issues a permanent injunction, the plaintiff shall be awarded reasonable attorney’s fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of the suit. Reasonable costs for the suit may include, but shall not be limited to, the expenses of discovery and document production.

(d) In addition to injunctive relief authorized pursuant to subsection (a), any person, firm, corporation, or other entity in violation of this chapter may be liable for a civil penalty in a suit by the attorney general of this state of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation.

History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 371, § 1.