(a) An employer shall not discharge, threaten, or otherwise take any adverse action against an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment:
(1) When an employee has been duly served with a subpoena, to give evidence or testify before any court, within or without the state of Rhode Island, or before any judicial, quasi-judicial, or other administrative body or entity with the authority to issue subpoenas.
(2) When the employee, upon being duly served with a properly issued subpoena, promptly provides notice to their employer of being served and of the requirement to attend court or other duly constituted hearing.
(b) Any employer who violates this section may be liable for damages which may include actual damages, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the employee.
(c) Any cause of action under this section shall be commenced within three (3) years from the date of violation.
(d) Nothing herein shall prevent an aggrieved employee from pursuing any other cause of action under federal or state law.
(e) Nothing herein shall require an employer to compensate an employee for time missed from work for complying with a subpoena.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 48, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 51, § 1.