2026 -- H 7179

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LC003939

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

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

VACCA ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, J. Brien, Place, Azzinaro, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2026

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 106

VEHICLE BARRIERS

     23-106-1. Short title.

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

     23-106-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

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

defined in § 34-49-2, which is utilized, in whole or in part, by a retail establishment.

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

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

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

protection standards as adopted and amended by the Rhode Island building code commission, and

that is installed to protect persons located within or on the property or to protect pedestrians, from

collisions into buildings by motor vehicles.

     23-106-3. Installation of vehicle barriers.

     (a) Owners, as a part of any new construction of commercial real estate or buildings

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

the locations of all of the owner's other retail establishments to protect persons and pedestrians on

the property or within the establishment. Provided, any vehicle barrier shall be installed so that

there is sufficient space to ensure wheelchair access and to otherwise be in compliance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) and any other applicable state and

local law regarding access for persons with disabilities.

     (b) Provided, the vehicle barriers required under this section shall not be required

immediately in front of the entrance to the building if the parking lot lanes or stripe lines in the

front lot are parallel to, and not perpendicular to, the front entrance to the building.

     23-106-4. Insurance discount.

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

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

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

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

vehicle barrier(s).

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

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

utilization by insurers.

     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

establishment locations as part of any new construction. This act would also require insurers to

consider the installation of such vehicle barriers as a safety measure and eligible for a discount on

the owner's insurance policy premium as approved by the insurance commissioner.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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