2022 -- H 7709 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, and Craven

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-22-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-22 entitled

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"Miscellaneous Rules" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-22-31. Mobile telephone usage by motor vehicle operators.

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     (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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     (1) "Engage in a call" means talking into or listening on a hand-held personal wireless

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communication device, but does not include holding a hand-held personal wireless communication

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device to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of such telephone.

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     (2) "Hands-free accessory" means an attachment, add-on, built-in feature, or addition to a

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personal wireless communication device, whether or not permanently installed in a motor vehicle,

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that, when used, allows the vehicle operator to maintain both hands on the steering wheel.

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     (3) "Hands-free personal wireless communication device" means a hand-held personal

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wireless communication device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an

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attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such hand-held personal wireless

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communication device, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand, whether

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or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of such

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telephone.

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     (4) "Hand-held personal wireless communication device" means a personal wireless

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communication device with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand.

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     (5) "Immediate proximity" means the distance that permits the operator of a hand-held

 

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personal wireless communication device to hear telecommunications transmitted over such hand-

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held personal wireless communication device, but does not require physical contact with such

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operator's ear.

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     (6) "Mobile telephone" means a personal wireless communication device, analog, wireless,

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or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone communication without an access

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line for service.

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     (7) "Public utility" means a business that provides electricity, natural gas, water, and

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communications and other information services to residential and commercial customers.

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     (8) "Using" or "use" means holding a hand-held personal wireless communication device

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to, or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear.

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     (b)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle

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while using a hand-held personal wireless communication device to engage in a call while such

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vehicle is in motion.

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     (2) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a hand-held personal wireless communication

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device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the operator's ear while such vehicle is in motion is

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presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. The presumption established

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by this subdivision is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator was not engaged in

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a call.

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     (3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing the seizure or

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forfeiture of a hand-held personal wireless communication device, unless otherwise provided by

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law.

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     (4) Subsection (b)(1) of this section shall not apply to:

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     (i) The use of a hand-held personal wireless communication device for the sole purpose of

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communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency

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response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire

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department; a police department; or a public utility; or

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     (ii) Any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties and within

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the scope of their employment: a peace officer, as defined in ยง 12-7-21, a firefighter or an operator

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of an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle, or the operator of a taxi cab, tow truck, or bus

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without passengers; or employees or agents of a public utility; or

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     (iii) The use of a hands-free personal wireless communication device.

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     (c) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be

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fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100 fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100);

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except that provided, however, until January 1, 2023, the fine shall be suspended for a first-time

 

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violator who provides proof of acquisition of a hands-free accessory subsequent to the violation,

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but prior to the imposition of a fine.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES

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     This act would sunset the provision which allows first-time violators to avoid the fine by

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presenting proof of acquisition of a hands-free device prior to the imposition of the fine effective

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January 1, 2023.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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