§ 12-28-10 - Victims of domestic abuse – Employment discrimination. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 12-28-10

   § 12-28-10  Victims of domestic abuse– Employment discrimination. – (a) No employer, employment agency or licensing agency shall refuse to hire anyapplicant for employment, or discharge an employee or discriminate against himor her with respect to any matter related to employment, solely by reason ofhis or her seeking or obtaining a protective order pursuant to chapter 15 oftitle 15 or chapter 8.1 of title 8 or refusing to seek or obtain a protectiveorder.

   (b) In any civil action alleging a violation of this chapter,the court may:

   (1) Award to a prevailing applicant or employee actualdamages, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, and, where the challengedconduct is shown to be motivated by malice or ill will, punitive damages;provided, punitive damages shall not be available against the state or itspolitical subdivisions; and

   (2) Afford injunctive relief against any employer, employmentagency or licensing agency who commits or proposes to commit a violation ofthis chapter.