2026 -- H 7437 AS AMENDED

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LC004258

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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION

MONETARY SYSTEMS

     Introduced By: Representative Scott Slater

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (City of Providence)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-41.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.2 entitled

"Automated Traffic Violation Monitoring Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-41.2-3. Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January

15, 2027.] Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January 15, 2030.]

     (a) The state department of transportation and the municipalities of this state are hereby

authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation detection systems. Such systems shall

be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of traffic control signals. For purposes

of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system means a system with one or more

motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of

traffic signal laws. A municipality shall be permitted to install, at up to no more than three (3)

designated “Don’t Block the Box” intersections within the municipality, an automated traffic

detection system to monitor violations of § 31-15-12.2; provided, however, that the provisions

allowing such “Don’t Block the Box” monitoring shall sunset on January 15, 2027 2030, at which

time such use as provided in this section shall no longer be permitted.

     (b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this

section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of

transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations

for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter

35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency

and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of

the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.

     (c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of

transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation

must approve such installation.

     (d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an

agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection

systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.

     (e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall

be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the

revenue generated by such systems.

     (f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system

shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals

or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent

with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.

     (g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information,

or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring

system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government

agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic

violation.

     31-41.2-3. Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15,

2027.] Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15, 2030.]

     (a) The Effective January 15, 2030, the state department of transportation and the

municipalities of this state are hereby authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation

detection systems. Such systems shall be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of

traffic control signals. For purposes of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system

means a system with one or more motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles

being operated in violation of traffic signal laws.

     (b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this

section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of

transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations

for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter

35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency

LC004258 - Page 2 of 4

and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of

the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.

     (c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of

transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation

must approve such installation.

     (d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an

agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection

systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.

     (e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall

be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the

revenue generated by such systems.

     (f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system

shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals

or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent

with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.

     (g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information,

or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring

system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government

agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic

violation.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004258

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION

MONETARY SYSTEMS

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     This act would extend the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic

detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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