2013 -- S 0275 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC00803/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

GENERALLY

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Miller, Cool Rumsey, Cote, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-23-51 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23 entitled

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"Equipment and Accessories Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-23-51. Earphones and headsets prohibited. -- (a) A No person shall not drive

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operate a bicycle or motor vehicle upon any highway while wearing earphones, or a headset.,

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headphone, or other listening device. Any person who violates this section shall be fined: (1)

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eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for the first offense, (2) ninety-five dollars ($95.00) for the second

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offense, and (3) one hundred forty dollars ($140) for the third and each subsequent offense.

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      (b) This section shall not apply to:

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     (1) any Any emergency vehicle operator using an integrated intercom system.;

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     (2) Any person operating a motorcycle who is using a headset installed in a helmet and

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worn so as to prevent the speakers from making direct contact with the user's ears so that the user

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can hear surrounding sounds;

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     (3) Any person using a headset in conjunction with a cellular telephone that only provides

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sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear;

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     (4) Any person using a headset in conjunction with the communicating with the central

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base operation that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be

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heard with the other ear;

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     (5) Any person using a hearing aid(s) or instrument for the improvement of hearing.

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     (c) The department of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to

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implement the provisions of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00803/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

GENERALLY

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     This act would allow the use of hearing aids while operating a bicycle or motorcycle. It

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would also permit the operator of a bicycle or motorcycle to use communication equipment that

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only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other

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ear.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00803/SUB A

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