2025 -- S 0544

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Tikoian, Patalano, Appollonio, and Burke

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-27-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor

Vehicle Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-27-4.1. Eluding a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle in a high speed

pursuit.

     Any person who in an attempt to elude or flee from a police officer in an emergency police

vehicle in a high speed pursuit of the person, operates a motor vehicle at speeds greater than fifteen

(15) miles per hour over the speed limit, or who causes property damage only in excess of one

thousand dollars ($1,000) shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for

not more than five (5) years at the adult correctional institutions (ACI), and/or be subject to a fine

of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), but not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000),

and may have their license suspended for not less than one year, but not more than two (2) years,

may be subject to the forfeiture of the motor vehicle.:

     (1) For the first conviction, may be subject to the following sanctions:

     (i) Up to one year incarceration at the adult correction institutions (A.C.I.) and a fine of

five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000);

     (ii) License suspension of not less than ninety (90) days but not more than six (6) months

and forfeiture of the motor vehicle.

     (2) For a second or subsequent conviction, the person shall:

     (i) Be sentenced to two (2) years at the A.C.I., but not more than five (5) years;

     (ii) Be fined a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) but not more than five thousand dollars

($5,000);

     (iii) Receive a license suspension of not less than one year but not more than five (5) years;

and

     (iv) Forfeit the motor vehicle.

     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 OFFENSES

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     This act would increase the penalty for anyone found guilty of eluding a police vehicle in

high speed pursuit to a felony punishable by up to five (5) years imprisonment, a fine of between

five thousand dollars ($5,000) and ten thousand dollars ($10,000), a loss of license from one to two

(2) years, and a possible forfeiture of their motor vehicle.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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