2021 -- S 0602

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LC001738

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATED TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senator Dennis L. Algiere

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-42 of the General Laws entitled "Abandoned Motor Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-42-13. Licensed auto body shops and abandoned vehicles.

     (a) Any motor vehicle left for more than thirty (30) days in a licensed auto body shop after

notice by registered mail, return receipt requested to the owner to pick up the vehicle and any motor

vehicle left for more than thirty (30) days in the auto body shop by someone other than the

registered owner or left by a person authorized to have possession of the motor vehicle, shall be

deemed an abandoned vehicle.

     (b) All abandoned vehicles left in auto body shops may be taken into custody by the owner

of the body shop and sold in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§ 31-42-3 and 31-42-4

unless the motor vehicle is reclaimed and the body shop is paid the amount due.

     (c) In the event that the auto body shop is unable to sell the motor vehicle as detailed in

subsection (b) of this section, the auto body shop may apply to the police department of the

jurisdiction in which the vehicle is situated for authority to sell, give away or dispose of the vehicle

to a demolisher or a junkyard pursuant to the provisions of § 31-42-7.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001738

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATED TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES

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     This act would authorize licensed auto body shops to sell or dispose of motor vehicles that

have been abandoned and located on their premises.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001738

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