# R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5.1: Compliance check

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.1

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5.1
- **Heading:** Compliance check
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 3 / Chapter 3-8 / Section 3-8-5.1

## Text

(a) As used in this section the term €œcompliance check€ means the sending of a minor into a retail outlet to see if that minor could purchase alcohol. As used in this section the term €œpurchase survey€ refers to compliance checks that are a part of a statewide survey.

(b) Underage individuals acting as agents for the state or municipal police department may purchase, with impunity from prosecution, alcohol for the purposes of law enforcement, provided that the underage individuals are supervised by an adult law enforcement official. Any individual participating in an unannounced compliance check and/or purchase survey must state his/her accurate age if asked by the employee of the licensed establishment being checked.

(c) If the compliance check is a part of a general enforcement operation and results in the sale of alcohol to the minor, the manager of the retail outlet shall be notified within 48 hours of the violation. If the compliance check is a part of a purchase survey and results in the sale of alcohol to the minor, the manager of the retail outlet shall be notified of the violation upon completion of the purchase survey in that community.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-1 § 3-8-1. Sales on Sundays and holidays €” Sales to underage persons, intoxicated persons, and persons of intemperate habits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-2 § 3-8-2. Age restriction for bartenders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-3 § 3-8-3. Suspension of license for employment of underage bartender.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-4 § 3-8-4. Drinking by or hiring of underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5 § 3-8-5. Penalty for violations relating to underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5.1 § 3-8-5.1. Compliance check.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6 § 3-8-6. Unlawful drinking and misrepresentation by underage persons €” Identification cards for persons twenty-one and older.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.1 § 3-8-6.1. Identification cards for persons under the age of 21.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.2 § 3-8-6.2. Unlawful use of identification cards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.3 § 3-8-6.3. Manufacture or distribution of fraudulent identification cards or licenses to operate a motor vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-9 § 3-8-9. Transportation of alcoholic beverages by underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-10 § 3-8-10. Possession of beverage by underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-11.1 § 3-8-11.1. Furnishing or procurement of alcoholic beverages for underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-11.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-11.2 § 3-8-11.2. Penalty for violation of § 3-8-11.1.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-11.2.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.