2026 -- S 2708

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LC005318

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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 -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

     Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, Burke, and Dimitri

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-27-2.8 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor

Vehicle Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-27-2.8. Ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing imposed as a part

of sentence — Requirements.

     (a) Any person subject to suspension pursuant to §§  31-27-2.1(b)(1) and 31-27-2.1(b)(2)

or convicted under the provisions of § 31-27-2(d)(1), § 31-27-2(d)(2), § 31-27-2(d)(3)(i), or § 31-

27-2(d)(3)(ii), or whose violation is sustained under the provisions of §§  31-27-2.1(b)(1) and 31-

27-2.1(b)(2), may be prohibited by the sentencing judge or magistrate from operating a motor

vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system, and/or blood and urine testing by a

licensed physician with knowledge and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of drug-

related disorders, a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, or EAP professional with like

knowledge, or a substance abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcohol and

Drug Abuse Counselors (all of whom shall be licensed in Rhode Island), pursuant to this section.

     (1) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this

chapter, if a Rhode Island traffic tribunal magistrate or sentencing judge makes a finding that a

motorist was operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any

controlled substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person

or vehicle, or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof, but not intoxicating liquor

based on a preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates no blood alcohol

concentration or both, the magistrate or sentencing judge may exercise his or her discretion and

eliminate the requirement of an ignition interlock system; provided, that blood and/or urine testing

is mandated as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in this section.

     (2) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this

chapter, if a Rhode Island traffic tribunal magistrate or sentencing judge makes a finding that a

motorist was operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any

controlled substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person

or vehicle, or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof and intoxicating liquor based

on a preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates blood alcohol concentration

or both, the magistrate or sentencing judge may require an ignition interlock system in addition to

blood and/or urine testing as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in this section.

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this chapter, any mandatory period

of license suspension shall, upon request, be reduced by the imposition of an ignition interlock

system and/or blood and urine testing ordered by the court or traffic tribunal as follows:

     (1) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day

(30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine

testing for three (3) months to one year.

     (2) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day

(30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine

testing for a period of six (6) months to two (2) years.

     (3) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum forty-five-

day (45) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and

urine testing for a period of six (6) months to two (2) years.

     (4) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day

(60) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine

testing for a period of one to four (4) years.

     (5) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day

(60) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine

testing for a period of one to four (4) years.

     (6) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum ninety-day

(90) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine

testing for a period of two (2) to ten (10) years.

     (7) No license suspension shall be subject to more than a thirty-day (30) license suspension

based solely upon the imposition of an ignition interlock system.

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     (i) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or upon

an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or determination

that the motorist was under the influence of intoxicating liquor only, the magistrate or sentencing

judge shall, upon request, immediately grant a conditional hardship license after a finding of need

pursuant to this section and upon proof of the installation of an ignition interlock device.

     (ii) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or

upon an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or

determination that the motorist was under the influence of drugs, toluene, or a controlled substance,

but not intoxicating liquor, the sentencing judge or magistrate shall, upon request immediately grant

a conditional hardship license after a finding of need pursuant to this section and upon proof of

blood and urine testing pursuant to this section.

     (iii) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or

upon an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or

determination that the motorist was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, a controlled

substance, or any combination thereof, the magistrate or sentencing judge shall, upon request

immediately grant a conditional hardship license after a finding of need pursuant to this section and

upon proof of the installation of an ignition interlock device, subject also to the following testing:

     (A) The testing of either blood or urine is being performed by or monitored by a licensed

physician with knowledge and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of drug-related

disorders, a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, or EAP professional with like

knowledge, or a substance abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcohol and

Drug Abuse Counselors (all of whom shall be licensed in Rhode Island).

     (B) The motorist is required to pay for the substance abuse professional, any testing,

retesting, monitoring, and reporting costs of the blood and urine testing.

     (C) Samples are to be collected, tested and confirmed by a federally certified laboratory by

means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or technology recognized as being at least as

scientifically accurate.

     (D) Samples are to be taken weekly for the first sixty (60) days, thereafter in accordance

with the recommendation of the substance abuse professional. The samples taken thereafter may

be ordered randomly, but must be provided by the motorist within twenty-four (24) hours of the

request. The substance abuse professional shall report to the department of the attorney general

within twenty-four (24) hours any failure by the motorist to comply with a request for a sample.

     (E) A positive test of urine or blood that evidences any controlled substances shall be

reported by the substance abuse professional to the motorist and to the department of the attorney

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general within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the results. The motorist may, at his or her own

expense, have an opportunity to have the sample retested or reevaluated by an independent testing

facility which shall provide the result directly to the substance abuse professional. The attorney

general may request, at any time, a copy of any or all test results from the substance abuse

professional, who shall forward the requested results within forty-eight (48) hours.

     (F) Upon completion of the license suspension, conditional hardship, ignition interlock and

substance abuse testing periods, a finalized report shall be presented to the department of motor

vehicles prior to any license reinstatement.

     (G) If a judge or magistrate determines that a motorist either failed, without good cause, to

comply with a sample request or tested positive for any controlled substance, he or she may exercise

his or her discretion and revoke the conditional hardship license, extend the time period for the

ignition interlock system and/or substance abuse testing for an additional period of up to twelve

(12) months and/or impose an additional loss of license for up to twenty-four (24) months.

     (H) A motorist who has failed, without good cause, to comply with a sample request or

tested positive for any controlled substance for a second time within twelve (12) months of the first

failure and/or positive test determination shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one

year imprisonment, or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

     (c) However, in any case where a motorist is convicted of an has a prior alcohol-related

offense pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the sentencing judge or magistrate may exercise

his or her discretion in the granting of the hardship license by imposing up to a ninety (90) sixty

(60) day loss of license prior to any imposition of the hardship license. The hardship license shall

be valid for twelve (12) continuous hours per day for any valid reason approved in advance by the

sentencing judge or magistrate, which shall include employment, medical appointments, job

training, schooling, or religious purposes. The hardship license shall not be for less than twelve

(12) continuous hours per day. A hardship license shall only be granted in conjunction with the

installation of an ignition interlock device and/or blood and urine testing. Any conditional driving

privileges must be set by the sentencing judge or magistrate after a hearing in which the motorist

must provide proof of employment status and hours of employment, or any other legitimate reasons

justifying a hardship license. These shall include, but not be limited to, any unemployment training,

schooling, medical appointments, therapy treatments, or any other valid requests set forth by sworn

affidavit. Once said hardship period has concluded, the motorist must still be subject to the

conditions of the ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as set forth under this

section for the period of time as directed by the court. Any individual who violates the requirements

of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties enumerated in § 31-11-18.1.

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     (d) Any person convicted of an offense of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs

resulting in death, § 31-27-2.2; driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in serious

bodily injury, § 31-27-2.6; driving to endanger resulting in death, § 31-27-1; or driving to endanger

resulting in serious bodily injury, § 31-27-1.1; may, in addition to any other penalties provided by

law, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an approved ignition

interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for one to five (5) years.

     (e) Any person who operates a motor vehicle with a suspended license during the period

of suspension, and the reason for the suspension was due to a conviction of driving under the

influence of drugs or alcohol or a sustained violation or conviction of refusal to submit to a chemical

test, shall be subject to the further use of the ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing

for a period of six (6) months subsequent to the penalties enumerated in § 31-11-18.1.

     (f) When the court orders the use of an ignition interlock system, the sentencing judge or

magistrate shall cause an appropriate notation to be made on the person’s record that clearly sets

forth the requirement for, and the period of the use of, the ignition interlock system.

     (g) In addition to the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, the court or traffic

tribunal shall:

     (1) Require proof of the installation of the ignition interlock system and periodic reporting

by the person for the purpose of verification of the proper operation of the ignition interlock system;

     (2) Require the person to have the ignition interlock system monitored for the proper use

and accuracy by a person, firm, corporation, or other association to be approved by the division of

motor vehicles at least once every six (6) months, or more frequently as the circumstances may

require; and

     (3) Require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and

maintenance of the ignition interlock system.

     (4) The requirements under subsection (g) of this section shall be the responsibility of the

probation department or justice assistance, if the individual is under their control, or the division of

motor vehicles if the individual is not monitored as a condition of the individual’s plea or finding

of guilt.

     (h) Any person granted a conditional hardship license upon proof of installation of an

ignition interlock device, may operate that motor vehicle during the entire twelve-hour (12) period

of operation granted by the sentencing judge or magistrate including during the scope of the

person’s employment and/or any other valid reason approved by the sentencing judge or magistrate.

     (i) If a person is required, in the course of the person’s employment, to operate a motor

vehicle owned or provided by the person’s employer, the person may operate that motor vehicle in

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the course of the person’s employment without installation of an ignition interlock system if the

court makes specific findings expressly permitting the person to operate, in the course of the

person’s employment, a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.

     (j)(1) Any person subject to an ignition interlock order and/or blood and urine testing who

violates such order shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment,

or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

     (2) For a second violation within six (6) months from entry of the order, the person

violating the order shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than ten (10) days and not more than

one year.

     (k) For the purposes of this subsection, a violation of the interlock order, includes, but is

not limited to:

     (1) Altering, tampering, or in any way attempting to circumvent the operation of an ignition

interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle of a person under this section;

     (2) Operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system; or

     (3) Soliciting or attempting to have another person start a motor vehicle equipped with an

ignition interlock system for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who

is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.

     (l) Any person who attempts to start, or starts, a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition

interlock system, tampers with, or in any way attempts to circumvent, the operation of an ignition

interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle for the purpose of providing an

operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not

equipped with an ignition interlock system, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to

one year imprisonment or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

     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 clarify that a magistrate or sentencing judge sitting in a court with

jurisdiction over motor vehicle offenses has discretion to grant a conditional hardship license for a

first-time offender upon request and would allow a magistrate or sentencing judge discretion in

issuing conditional hardship licenses by imposing a sixty (60) day mandatory loss of license prior

to any imposition of the hardship license to individuals with prior offenses under this chapter.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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