This wage and hour Law Firm Publication by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. discusses Rhode Island's passage of a law authorizing employers to pay wages by electronic pay cards. Under the new law, an employee can submit a written request to his employer indicating an interest in setting up a payroll card account with a financial institution that will accept electronic wage transfers. Employers that agree to this arrangement must allow employees at least one free wage withdrawal per pay period and must allow at least one free weekly withdrawal to employees who are paid more than once per week. Employees paid by credit to a payroll card account must be allowed to check their account balances for free on an unlimited basis, either by phone or online. The law became effective immediately when passed on July 15, 2015.