2021 -- S 0675

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LC001917

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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 TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE REPARATIONS

ACT

     Introduced By: Senator Cynthia Armour Coyne

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

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;

     (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).

     (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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE REPARATIONS

ACT

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     This act would provide that financial security is required for any motor vehicle registered

or required to be registered in the state of Rhode Island.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001917

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