2025 -- S 0954 | |
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LC002204 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- LICENSES GENERALLY | |
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Introduced By: Senators Euer, Sosnowski, Britto, Appollonio, McKenney, Thompson, | |
Date Introduced: April 04, 2025 | |
Referred To: Senate Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Section 3-5-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-5 entitled "Licenses |
2 | Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 3-5-20. Rules and regulations — Notice and procedure. |
4 | All licenses issued shall be in any form prescribed by the department of business regulation |
5 | and the license shall be held under any rules and regulations as the department shall impose, |
6 | establish, and authorize and the department is authorized to establish rules and regulations and to |
7 | authorize the making of any rules and regulations by the licensing authority of the several towns |
8 | and cities as in their discretions in the public interest seem proper to be made. Notwithstanding any |
9 | of the foregoing provisions of this section, the adoption or authorization of rules and regulations |
10 | by the department and the modification or repeal of any rules and regulations previously adopted |
11 | shall be by written order of the department and adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter |
12 | 35 of title 42. |
13 | SECTION 2. Chapter 3-5 of the General Laws entitled "Licenses Generally" is hereby |
14 | amended by adding thereto the following section: |
15 | 3-5-30. SafeRIde program information -- License fees and violations -- Surcharges. |
16 | (a) The department shall prepare and provide an informational booklet to each licensee |
17 | licensed under this title which explains the rules and regulations governing the SafeRIde program |
18 | described in § 3-7-30 and the licensee’s participation in the SafeRIde program. Said booklet shall |
19 | be provided to all new licensees and upon license renewal following the effective date of this |
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1 | section. |
2 | (b) All fees or fines paid for licenses or violations under this chapter shall be subject to a |
3 | surcharge equal to ten percent (10%) of the cost of the fee or fine, which shall be deposited into a |
4 | restricted fund for use by the department to fund the SafeRIde program. |
5 | SECTION 3. Chapter 3-6 of the General Laws entitled "Manufacturing and Wholesale |
6 | Licenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
7 | 3-6-19. License and certificate fees and violations -- Surcharges. |
8 | All fees or fines paid for licenses, certificates or violations under this section shall be |
9 | subject to a surcharge equal to ten percent (10%) of the cost of the fee or fine, which shall be |
10 | deposited into a restricted fund for use by the department to fund the SafeRIde program. |
11 | SECTION 4. Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws entitled "Retail Licenses" is hereby amended |
12 | by adding thereto the following sections: |
13 | 3-7-30. SafeRIde program. |
14 | (a) The primary legislative purpose of this section is to prevent intoxication-related injuries |
15 | and deaths, to reduce the prevalence of DUIs among Rhode Island’s population, and to encourage |
16 | all servers of alcohol to exercise responsible serving practices. |
17 | (b) The SafeRIde program will provide transportation, free of charge, to persons suspected |
18 | of having a prohibited alcohol concentration, as defined in § 31-27-2, from any premises licensed |
19 | under this chapter to sell alcoholic beverages to the person’s place of residence. Requests for |
20 | transportation through the SafeRIde program shall be made by the owner or employees of the |
21 | establishment furnishing alcoholic beverages. |
22 | (c) The department of business regulation, pursuant to its authority under § 3-5-20, shall |
23 | have full power and authority to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the SafeRIde |
24 | program. |
25 | (d) The SafeRIde program shall be funded pursuant to revenues collected via surcharges |
26 | on licenses and fines pursuant to this title, and pursuant to revenues collected via surcharges |
27 | assessed by the court for violations of § 31-27-2. |
28 | 3-7-31. License fees and violations -- Surcharges. |
29 | All fees or fines paid for licenses and violations under this section shall be subject to a |
30 | surcharge equal to ten percent (10%) of the cost of the fee or fine, which shall be deposited into a |
31 | restricted fund for use by the department to fund the SafeRIde program. |
32 | SECTION 5. Section 31-27-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor |
33 | Vehicle Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
34 | 31-27-2. Driving under influence of liquor or drugs. [Effective July 1, 2025.] |
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1 | (a) Whoever drives or otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the influence |
2 | of any intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of |
3 | title 21, or any combination of these, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, except as provided in |
4 | subsection (d)(3), and shall be punished as provided in subsection (d) of this section. |
5 | (b)(1) Any person charged under subsection (a), whose blood alcohol concentration is eight |
6 | one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or more by weight, as shown by a chemical analysis of a |
7 | blood, breath, or urine sample, shall be guilty of violating subsection (a). This provision shall not |
8 | preclude a conviction based on other admissible evidence, including the testimony of a drug |
9 | recognition expert or evaluator, certified pursuant to training approved by the Rhode Island |
10 | department of transportation office on highway safety. Proof of guilt under this section may also |
11 | be based on evidence that the person charged was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, |
12 | toluene, or any controlled substance defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these, |
13 | to a degree that rendered the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle. The fact that any person |
14 | charged with violating this section is, or has been, legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug shall not |
15 | constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section. |
16 | (2) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 170, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 171, § 1.] |
17 | (c) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), evidence as to the amount |
18 | of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or |
19 | any combination of these, in the defendant’s blood at the time alleged as shown by a chemical |
20 | analysis of the defendant’s breath, blood, saliva or urine or other bodily substance, shall be |
21 | admissible and competent, provided that evidence is presented that the following conditions have |
22 | been complied with: |
23 | (1) The defendant has consented to the taking of the test upon which the analysis is made. |
24 | Evidence that the defendant had refused to submit to the test shall not be admissible unless the |
25 | defendant elects to testify. |
26 | (2) A true copy of the report of the test result was hand delivered at the location of the test |
27 | or mailed within seventy-two (72) hours of the taking of the test to the person submitting to a breath |
28 | test. |
29 | (3) Any person submitting to a chemical test of blood, urine, saliva or other body fluids |
30 | shall have a true copy of the report of the test result mailed to him or her within thirty (30) days |
31 | following the taking of the test. |
32 | (4) The test was performed according to methods and with equipment approved by the |
33 | director of the department of health of the state of Rhode Island and by an authorized individual. |
34 | (5) Equipment used for the conduct of the tests by means of breath analysis had been tested |
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1 | for accuracy within thirty (30) days preceding the test by personnel qualified as hereinbefore |
2 | provided, and breathalyzer operators shall be qualified and certified by the department of health |
3 | within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of the test. |
4 | (6) The person arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the |
5 | influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of |
6 | title 21 or any combination of these in violation of subsection (a), was afforded the opportunity to |
7 | have an additional chemical test. The officer arresting or so charging the person shall have informed |
8 | the person of this right and afforded him or her a reasonable opportunity to exercise this right, and |
9 | a notation to this effect is made in the official records of the case in the police department. Refusal |
10 | to permit an additional chemical test shall render incompetent and inadmissible in evidence the |
11 | original report. |
12 | (d)(1)(i) Every person found to have violated subsection (b)(1) shall be sentenced as |
13 | follows: for a first violation whose blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one |
14 | percent (.08%), but less than one-tenth of one percent (.1%), by weight, or who has a blood presence |
15 | of any scheduled controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, shall be subject to a fine |
16 | of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than three hundred dollars ($300); shall be |
17 | required to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution, and/or shall be |
18 | imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional |
19 | institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge and/or shall be required to attend a special |
20 | course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance; provided, |
21 | however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved |
22 | counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans’ Administration, and his or her |
23 | driver’s license shall be suspended for thirty (30) days up to one hundred eighty (180) days. The |
24 | sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle, pursuant |
25 | to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system |
26 | and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
27 | (ii) Every person convicted of a first violation whose blood alcohol concentration is one- |
28 | tenth of one percent (.1%) by weight or above, but less than fifteen hundredths of one percent |
29 | (.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is unknown, shall be subject to a fine of not less than |
30 | one hundred ($100) dollars, nor more than four hundred dollars ($400), and shall be required to |
31 | perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for |
32 | up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in the |
33 | discretion of the sentencing judge. The person’s driving license shall be suspended for a period of |
34 | three (3) months to twelve (12) months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance at a special |
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1 | course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or |
2 | alcoholic or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a |
3 | servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or |
4 | approved by the Veterans’ Administration. The sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that |
5 | person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as |
6 | provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
7 | (iii) Every person convicted of a first offense whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen |
8 | hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, or who is under the influence of a drug, toluene, or any |
9 | controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(1), shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars |
10 | ($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of public community |
11 | restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit |
12 | of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge. The person’s driving |
13 | license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing |
14 | judge shall require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence |
15 | of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, |
16 | that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling |
17 | program administered or approved by the Veterans’ Administration. The sentencing judge or |
18 | magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle, pursuant to subsection (d)(9) |
19 | or (d)(10) of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and |
20 | urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
21 | (2)(i) Every person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period with a |
22 | blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or above, but less than |
23 | fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is unknown, or |
24 | who has a blood presence of any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, and every |
25 | person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period, regardless of whether the prior |
26 | violation and subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute |
27 | or under the driving under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall be subject |
28 | to a mandatory fine of four hundred dollars ($400). The person’s driving license shall be suspended |
29 | for a period of one year to two (2) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to not less than ten |
30 | (10) days, nor more than one year, in jail. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult |
31 | correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not less than forty-eight |
32 | (48) hours of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing judge shall require |
33 | alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a |
34 | servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or |
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1 | approved by the Veterans’ Administration and shall prohibit that person from operating a motor |
2 | vehicle, pursuant to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition |
3 | interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
4 | (ii) Every person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period whose blood |
5 | alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, by weight as shown by |
6 | a chemical analysis of a blood, breath, or urine sample, or who is under the influence of a drug, |
7 | toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(1), shall be subject to mandatory |
8 | imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, nor more than one year; a mandatory fine of not less |
9 | than one thousand dollars ($1,000); and a mandatory license suspension for a period of two (2) |
10 | years from the date of completion of the sentence imposed under this subsection. The sentencing |
11 | judge shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court |
12 | may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court approved counseling program |
13 | administered or approved by the Veterans’ Administration. The sentencing judge or magistrate |
14 | shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle, pursuant to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) |
15 | of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing |
16 | as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
17 | (3)(i) Every person convicted of a third or subsequent violation within a ten-year (10) |
18 | period with a blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or above, |
19 | but less than fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is |
20 | unknown or who has a blood presence of any scheduled controlled substance as defined in chapter |
21 | 28 of title 21, regardless of whether any prior violation and subsequent conviction was a violation |
22 | and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the driving under the influence of liquor or |
23 | drugs statute of any other state, shall be guilty of a felony and be subject to a mandatory fine of |
24 | four hundred ($400) dollars. The person’s driving license shall be suspended for a period of two |
25 | (2) years to three (3) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to not less than one year and not |
26 | more than three (3) years in jail. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional |
27 | institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not less than forty-eight (48) hours |
28 | of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol or drug |
29 | treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or |
30 | veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the |
31 | Veterans’ Administration, and shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle, pursuant |
32 | to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system |
33 | and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
34 | (ii) Every person convicted of a third or subsequent violation within a ten-year (10) period |
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1 | whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) above by weight as |
2 | shown by a chemical analysis of a blood, breath, or urine sample, or who is under the influence of |
3 | a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(1), shall be subject to |
4 | mandatory imprisonment of not less than three (3) years, nor more than five (5) years; a mandatory |
5 | fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000); |
6 | and a mandatory license suspension for a period of three (3) years from the date of completion of |
7 | the sentence imposed under this subsection. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol or drug |
8 | treatment for the individual. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from |
9 | operating a motor vehicle, pursuant to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) of this section, that is not |
10 | equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27- |
11 | 2.8. |
12 | (iii) In addition to the foregoing penalties, every person convicted of a third or subsequent |
13 | violation within a ten-year (10) period, regardless of whether any prior violation and subsequent |
14 | conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the driving under |
15 | the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall be subject, in the discretion of the |
16 | sentencing judge, to having the vehicle owned and operated by the violator seized and sold by the |
17 | state of Rhode Island, with all funds obtained by the sale to be transferred to the general fund. |
18 | (4) Whoever drives or otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the influence |
19 | of any intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of |
20 | title 21, or any combination of these, when his or her license to operate is suspended, revoked, or |
21 | cancelled for operating under the influence of a narcotic drug or intoxicating liquor, shall be guilty |
22 | of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years and by a fine of not more |
23 | than three thousand dollars ($3,000). The court shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the |
24 | individual; provided, the penalties provided for in this subsection (d)(4) shall not apply to an |
25 | individual who has surrendered his or her license and served the court-ordered period of suspension, |
26 | but who, for any reason, has not had his or her license reinstated after the period of suspension, |
27 | revocation, or suspension has expired; provided, further, the individual shall be subject to the |
28 | provisions of subsection (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii), (d)(3)(i), (d)(3)(ii), or (d)(3)(iii) regarding subsequent |
29 | offenses, and any other applicable provision of this section. |
30 | (5)(i) For purposes of determining the period of license suspension, a prior violation shall |
31 | constitute any charge brought and sustained under the provisions of this section or § 31-27-2.1. |
32 | (ii) Any person over the age of eighteen (18) who is convicted under this section for |
33 | operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, or a combination of |
34 | these, while a child under the age of thirteen (13) years was present as a passenger in the motor |
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1 | vehicle when the offense was committed shall be subject to immediate license suspension pending |
2 | prosecution. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for a |
3 | first offense and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year and a fine |
4 | not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any person convicted of a second or subsequent |
5 | offense shall be guilty of a felony offense and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not |
6 | more than five (5) years and a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). The sentencing |
7 | judge shall also order a license suspension of up to two (2) years, require attendance at a special |
8 | course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, and alcohol |
9 | or drug education and/or treatment. The individual may also be required to pay a highway |
10 | assessment fee of no more than five hundred dollars ($500) and the assessment shall be deposited |
11 | in the general fund. |
12 | (6)(i) Any person convicted of a violation under this section shall pay a highway |
13 | assessment fine of five hundred dollars ($500) that shall be deposited into the general fund. The |
14 | assessment provided for by this subsection shall be collected from a violator before any other fines |
15 | authorized by this section. |
16 | (ii) Any person convicted of a violation under this section shall be assessed a fee of eighty- |
17 | six dollars ($86). |
18 | (7)(i) If the person convicted of violating this section is under the age of eighteen (18) |
19 | years, for the first violation he or she shall be required to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of |
20 | public community restitution and the juvenile’s driving license shall be suspended for a period of |
21 | six (6) months, and may be suspended for a period up to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing |
22 | judge shall also require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the |
23 | influence of a controlled substance and alcohol or drug education and/or treatment for the juvenile. |
24 | The juvenile may also be required to pay a highway assessment fine of no more than five hundred |
25 | dollars ($500) and the assessment imposed shall be deposited into the general fund. |
26 | (ii) If the person convicted of violating this section is under the age of eighteen (18) years, |
27 | for a second or subsequent violation regardless of whether any prior violation and subsequent |
28 | conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the driving under |
29 | the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, he or she shall be subject to a mandatory |
30 | suspension of his or her driving license until such time as he or she is twenty-one (21) years of age |
31 | and may, in the discretion of the sentencing judge, also be sentenced to the Rhode Island training |
32 | school for a period of not more than one year and/or a fine of not more than five hundred dollars |
33 | ($500). |
34 | (8) Any person convicted of a violation under this section may undergo a clinical |
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1 | assessment at the community college of Rhode Island’s center for workforce and community |
2 | education. Should this clinical assessment determine problems of alcohol, drug abuse, or |
3 | psychological problems associated with alcoholic or drug abuse, this person shall be referred to an |
4 | appropriate facility, licensed or approved by the department of behavioral healthcare, |
5 | developmental disabilities and hospitals, for treatment placement, case management, and |
6 | monitoring. In the case of a servicemember or veteran, the court may order that the person be |
7 | evaluated through the Veterans’ Administration. Should the clinical assessment determine |
8 | problems of alcohol, drug abuse, or psychological problems associated with alcohol or drug abuse, |
9 | the person may have their treatment, case management, and monitoring administered or approved |
10 | by the Veterans’ Administration. |
11 | (9) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this |
12 | chapter, if the judge or magistrate makes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that a motorist was |
13 | operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any controlled |
14 | substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person or vehicle, |
15 | or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof, but not intoxicating liquor based on a |
16 | preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates no blood alcohol concentration, |
17 | or both, the judge or magistrate may exercise his or her discretion and eliminate the requirement of |
18 | an ignition interlock system; provided, that blood and/or urine testing is mandated as a condition |
19 | to operating a motor vehicle as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
20 | (10) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this |
21 | chapter, if the judge or magistrate makes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that a motorist was |
22 | operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any controlled |
23 | substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person or vehicle, |
24 | or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof and intoxicating liquor based on a |
25 | preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates blood alcohol concentration, or |
26 | both, the judge or magistrate may require an ignition interlock system in addition to blood and/or |
27 | urine testing as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in § 31-27-2.8. |
28 | (e) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon milligrams of alcohol per |
29 | one hundred cubic centimeters (100 cc) of blood. |
30 | (f)(1) There is established an alcohol and drug safety unit within the division of motor |
31 | vehicles to administer an alcohol safety action program. The program shall provide for placement |
32 | and follow-up for persons who are required to pay the highway safety assessment. The alcohol and |
33 | drug safety action program will be administered in conjunction with alcohol and drug programs |
34 | licensed by the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. |
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1 | (2) Persons convicted under the provisions of this chapter shall be required to attend a |
2 | special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, and/or |
3 | participate in an alcohol or drug treatment program, which course and programs must meet the |
4 | standards established by the Rhode Island department of behavioral healthcare, developmental |
5 | disabilities and hospitals; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran |
6 | to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans’ |
7 | Administration. The course shall take into consideration any language barrier that may exist as to |
8 | any person ordered to attend, and shall provide for instruction reasonably calculated to |
9 | communicate the purposes of the course in accordance with the requirements of the subsection. |
10 | Any costs reasonably incurred in connection with the provision of this accommodation shall be |
11 | borne by the person being retrained. A copy of any violation under this section shall be forwarded |
12 | by the court to the alcohol and drug safety unit. In the event that persons convicted under the |
13 | provisions of this chapter fail to attend and complete the above course or treatment program, as |
14 | ordered by the judge, then the person may be brought before the court, and after a hearing as to |
15 | why the order of the court was not followed, may be sentenced to jail for a period not exceeding |
16 | one year. |
17 | (3) The alcohol and drug safety action program within the division of motor vehicles shall |
18 | be funded by general revenue appropriations. |
19 | (g) The director of the department of health is empowered to make and file with the |
20 | secretary of state regulations that prescribe the techniques and methods of chemical analysis of the |
21 | person’s body fluids or breath and the qualifications and certification of individuals authorized to |
22 | administer this testing and analysis. |
23 | (h) Jurisdiction for misdemeanor violations of this section shall be with the district court |
24 | for persons eighteen (18) years of age or older and to the family court for persons under the age of |
25 | eighteen (18) years. The courts shall have full authority to impose any sentence authorized and to |
26 | order the suspension of any license for violations of this section. Trials in superior court are not |
27 | required to be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the arraignment date. |
28 | (i) No fines, suspensions, assessments, alcohol or drug treatment programs, course on |
29 | driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, public community |
30 | restitution, or jail provided for under this section can be suspended. |
31 | (j) An order to attend a special course on driving while intoxicated, that shall be |
32 | administered in cooperation with a college or university accredited by the state, shall include a |
33 | provision to pay a reasonable tuition for the course in an amount not less than twenty-five dollars |
34 | ($25.00), and a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175), which fee shall be deposited into |
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1 | the general fund. |
2 | (k) For the purposes of this section, any test of a sample of blood, breath, or urine for the |
3 | presence of alcohol that relies in whole or in part upon the principle of infrared light absorption is |
4 | considered a chemical test. |
5 | (l) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision, shall for any reason |
6 | be judged invalid, such a judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the |
7 | section, but shall be confined in this effect to the provision or application directly involved in the |
8 | controversy giving rise to the judgment. |
9 | (m) For the purposes of this section, “servicemember” means a person who is presently |
10 | serving in the armed forces of the United States, including the Coast Guard, a reserve component |
11 | thereof, or the National Guard. “Veteran” means a person who has served in the armed forces, |
12 | including the Coast Guard of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard, |
13 | and has been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. |
14 | (n) In addition to any and all fines or costs for a violation pursuant to this section, the court |
15 | shall charge a surcharge of fifty dollars ($50.00) per violation to fund the SafeRIde program. |
16 | SECTION 6. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- LICENSES GENERALLY | |
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1 | This act would establish and fund the SafeRIde program, which would provide |
2 | transportation, free of charge, to persons suspected of having a blood alcohol concentration that |
3 | would prohibit legal operation of a vehicle. |
4 | This act would take effect on July 1, 2025. |
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LC002204 | |
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| LC002204 - Page 12 of 12 |