It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 31-17-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-17 entitled "Right-of-Way" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-17-7. Right-of-way of fire companies -- The officers and men and women of the fire department of, or of any fire engine or hose company, or of any protective department or company now or hereafter duly chartered and organized under the laws of this state for the protection of property from fire in any city or town, with their engines, hose carriages, teams, vehicles, and other apparatus registered fire apparatus, shall have the right of way while going to a fire or upon any alarm thereof, while responding to an emergency call, and when on duty at any fire, in, upon, or through any street, highway, lane, avenue, or alley in the city or town; and when exiting or entering a fire station, garage or other department facility and every person in or upon or owning any vehicle, or upon the street, highway, lane, avenue, or alley, who shall willfully or maliciously refuse the right of way to, or shall in any registered way willfully or maliciously obstruct or retard any fire engine, hose carriage, team, vehicle, or other apparatus of the fire department, fire company, protective department, or company, or any of the officers or men and women, while going to a fire or upon any alarm thereof, while responding to an emergency call, or while on duty at any fire, in, upon, or through the street, highway, lane, avenue, or alley, or when exiting or entering a fire station, garage or other department facility shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00); provided, however, that the rights hereunder of the protective department or company shall be subject, at all times, to the rights hereunder of the fire department, fire engine company, and hose company.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.