Chapter 105
2021 -- S 0675
Enacted 07/01/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE REPARATIONS ACT

Introduced By: Senator Cynthia Armour Coyne

Date Introduced: March 18, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 31-47-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-47 entitled "Motor
Vehicle Reparations Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     31-47-9. Penalties.
     (a) Any owner of a motor vehicle registered or required to be registered in this state who
shall knowingly operate the motor vehicle or knowingly permit it to be operated in this state without
having in full force and effect the financial security required by the provisions of this chapter, and
any other person who shall operate in this state any motor vehicle registered or required to be
registered in this state with the knowledge that the owner of it does not have in full force and effect
financial security, except a person who, at the time of operation of the motor vehicle, had in effect
an operator's policy of liability insurance, as defined in this chapter, with respect to his or her
operation of the vehicle, may be subject to a mandatory suspension of license and registration as
follows:
     (1) For a first offense, a suspension of up to three (3) months and may be fined one hundred
dollars ($100) up to five hundred dollars ($500);
     (2) For a second offense, a suspension of six (6) months; and may be fined five hundred
dollars ($500); and
     (3) For a third and subsequent offense, a suspension of up to one year. Additionally, any
person violating this section a third or subsequent time shall be punished as a civil violation and
may be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000).
     (b) An order of suspension and impoundment of a license or registration, or both, shall
state that date on or before which the person is required to surrender the person's license or
certificate of registration and registration plates. The person is deemed to have surrendered the
license or certificate of registration and registration plates, in compliance with the order, if the
person does either of the following:
     (1) On or before the date specified in the order, personally delivers the license or certificate
of registration and registration plates, or causes the delivery of those items, to the administrator of
the division of motor vehicles or court, whichever issued the order; or
     (2) Mails the license or certificate of registration and registration plates to the administrator
of the division of motor vehicles, in an envelope or container bearing a postmark showing a date
no later than the date specified in the order.
     (c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall not restore any operating
privileges or registration rights suspended under this section or return any license, certificate of
registration, or registration plates impounded under this section unless the rights are not subject to
suspension or revocation under any other law and unless the person, in addition to complying with
all other conditions required by law for reinstatement of operating privileges or registration rights,
complies with all of the following:
     (1) Pays a reinstatement fee of thirty dollars ($30.00). The reinstatement fee may be
increased, upon approval of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, up to an amount
not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).; and
     (2) Files and maintains proof of financial security. To facilitate the administration of this
chapter the clerk of the courts shall notify the administrator of the division of motor vehicles of all
persons against whom judgments have been entered arising out of a motor vehicle collision.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC001917
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