2024 -- S 2276

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LC004824

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS-THE CHARLOTTE A.

VACCA ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Tikoian, Raptakis, Quezada, Ciccone, Murray, F. Lombardi,
Britto, Burke, Rogers, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 100

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VEHICLE BARRIERS

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     23-100-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Charlotte A. Vacca Act."

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     23-100-2. Definitions.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Owner" means the proprietor, operator, lessor, or sublessor of commercial real estate

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(as such term is defined in ยง 34-49-2) which is utilized, in whole or in part, by a retail establishment.

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     (2) "Retail establishments" means all sales outlets, stores, shops, or other places of business

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located within the state, which operate primarily to sell or convey foods or goods.

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     (3) "Vehicle barrier" means a safety device that meets, at a minimum, the vehicle impact

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protection standards as, or to be, established by the Rhode Island building code commission, and

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that is installed to protect persons located within or on the property of buildings, or to protect

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pedestrians, from collisions into those buildings by motor vehicles.

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     23-100-3. Installation of vehicle barriers.

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     Owners, as a part of any new construction or renovations of commercial real estate or

 

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buildings thereon, shall install vehicle barriers. Owners shall also be encouraged to install vehicle

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barriers at the locations of all of the owner's other retail establishments to protect persons and

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pedestrians on the property or within the establishment.

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     23-100-4. Insurance discount.

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     (a) An insurer shall consider the installation of vehicle barriers as a safety measure and

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shall provide or offer a discount on the owner's insurance covering damage or loss to the covered

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commercial real estate or liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the

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commercial real estate relative to the reduced risk to the property as a result of installation of the

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vehicle barrier(s).

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     (b) Any discounts on insurance provided in accordance with this section shall be

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determined to be actuarially sound and approved by the insurance commissioner prior to their

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utilization by insurers.

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     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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS-THE CHARLOTTE A.

VACCA ACT

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     This act would require commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail

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establishment locations as part of any construction or renovations of the property. This act would

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also require insurers to consider the installation of such vehicle barriers as a safety measure and

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eligible for a discount on the owner's insurance policy premium as approved by the insurance

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commissioner.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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