R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-31.2 § 45-31.2-2
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the term: (1) "Business" means any lawful activity, excepting a farm operation, conducted primarily: (i) For the purchase, sale, lease, and rental of personal and real property, and for the manufacture, processing, or marketing of products, commodities, or any other personal property; (ii) For sale of services to the public; (iii) By a nonprofit organization; or (iv) Solely for the purposes of § 45-31.2-3(a), for assisting in the purchase, sale, resale, manufacture, processing, or marketing of products, commodities, personal property, or services by the erection and maintenance of an outdoor advertising display or displays, whether or not the display or displays are located on the premises on which any of those activities are conducted. (2) "Displaced person" means any person who, on or after January 2, 1971, moves from real property, or moves his or her personal property from real property, as a result of the acquisition of that real property, in whole or in part, or as the result of the written order of the acquiring agency to vacate real property, for a program or project undertaken by a relocation agency; and, solely for the purposes of §§ 45-31.2-3(a) and (b) and 45-31.2-6(a) and (b), as a result of the acquisition of or as the result of the written order of the acquiring agency to vacate other real property, on which the person conducts a business or farm operation, for the program or project. (3) "Farm operation" means any activity conducted solely or primarily for the production of one or more agricultural products or commodities, including timber, for sale or home use, and customarily producing those products or commodities in sufficient quantity to be capable of contributing materially to the operator's support. (4) "Nonprofit organization" means any nonbusiness corporation duly organized under chapter 6 of title 7. (5) "Person" means any individual partnership, corporation, or association. (6) "Relocation agency" means any agency, state or local, receiving federal assistance to carry out a relocation program.
Section 45-31.2-2 of Rhode Island General Laws establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 45-31.2, which governs relocation assistance. The definitions set the boundaries for who qualifies as a 'displaced person'—broadly, anyone who moves from real property on or after January 2, 1971, as a result of government acquisition or a written order to vacate for a covered program or project. The section also clarifies what counts as a 'business,' 'farm operation,' 'nonprofit organization,' 'person,' and 'relocation agency,' each of which determines eligibility for or administration of relocation benefits under the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Rhode Island should be aware that § 45-31.2-2 defines the key terms that determine whether relocation assistance obligations are triggered under Chapter 45-31.2. A compliant operator generally reviews whether any acquisition or displacement activity involves entities or individuals who meet the statutory definitions—such as whether a tenant qualifies as a 'displaced person' or whether a commercial occupant constitutes a 'business' under the chapter. Understanding these definitions helps operators correctly identify which parties may be entitled to relocation assistance when a relocation agency undertakes a covered program or project.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and occupants in Rhode Island should know that § 45-31.2-2 lays out who is covered by the state's relocation assistance framework, including the definition of 'displaced person,' which may apply to individuals forced to move due to government acquisition or a written vacate order connected to a covered program. If a tenant believes they have been displaced by a relocation agency's project on or after January 2, 1971, the definitions in this section are the starting point for understanding whether they may be entitled to protections or benefits under Chapter 45-31.2. Tenants seeking to understand their rights under this chapter may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island relocation law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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