2021 -- S 0614

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LC001940

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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

RELATING MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators Paolino, de la Cruz, Morgan, and Rogers

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-3-121. Special plate for Choose Life.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available

Choose Life Rhode Island special motor vehicle registration plates for passenger vehicles based

upon the not-for-profit entity, CareNet - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode

Island for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or commercial vehicle having

a gross weight of ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.), or less.

     (b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the

vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the

registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be

removed from the vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle,

in accordance with § 31-3-9. The administrator is hereby authorized to enter into agreements for

the use of the Choose Life kids logos and the Choose Life Rhode Island registration plates.

     (c) The Choose Life motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle

plates and shall be designed by Care-Net - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode

Island in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode

Island state police.

     (d) The Choose Life plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least six

hundred (600) plates, pursuant to § 31-3-117. Choose Life plates shall not be issued unless the

minimum order requirements are met.

     (e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, prepayment

procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

     (f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Choose Life Rhode

Island plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

     (g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: twenty

dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00)

shall be distributed annually to Care-Net - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode

Island to support the alternative choices of infant adoption and The Safe Haven for Infants Act,

pursuant to chapter 13.1 of title 23. A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration

renewals shall be allocated to Care-Net - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode

Island.

     (h) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Choose Life Rhode

Island plates, Care-Net - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode Island must use

any Rhode Island sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island residents.

     (i) Care-Net - Rhode Island d/b/a CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode Island will be

required to submit an annual accounting report of the previous year's distributions before additional

Choose Life Rhode Island plate monies are distributed.

     (j) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Choose Life Rhode Island plates.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would authorize the division of motor vehicles to issue special license plates in

recognition of "Choose Life."

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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