It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 12-14-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-14 entitled "Payment of Traffic Fines" is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-14-4. Violations of Bristol, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Warren, Westerly, and North Providence ordinances -- 12-14-4. Violations of Bristol, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Warren, Westerly, West Warwick, and North Providence ordinances -- (a) The respective town councils of the towns of Bristol, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Warren, Westerly, West Warwick, and North Providence may establish fines for violations of traffic ordinances.

(b) The town councils may designate the police department for the purpose of collecting these fines, from offenders who decide to dispose of charges without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days of notification. The police department may receive the fines directly from any person charged with a violation of any provision of the ordinances of the town relating to traffic. The money collected shall be turned over by the police to the town treasurer.

(c) All these charges, records, and payments shall be entered immediately by the police into record. The books of the police containing records of the violations, their dispositions, and money received as fines shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by a town auditor of the town.

(d) If the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges before seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court for the first, fourth, or sixth divisions, for trial and for whatever disposition the court decides is proper, in which case section 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.