2026 -- S 2722

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LC005337

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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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

CAUSES OF ACTION

     Introduced By: Senators Vargas, Britto, DiPalma, Urso, Famiglietti, Acosta, Bell,
Appollonio, and Patalano

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     9-1-55. Recovery of replacement value of a child restraint system in a motor vehicle

accident.

     (a) Any person responsible for a collision with a motor vehicle, which contains or employs

a federally approved child restraint system under 49 CFR § 571.213 that is being used to transport

a child in compliance with § 31-22-22 or which is unoccupied at the time of the collision, shall be

liable to the owner of the child restraint system for the replacement value of the child restraint

system.

     (b) The person responsible for the collision or their insurer shall be entitled to take

possession of the child restraint system upon payment of the replacement value pursuant to the

provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

     (c) The provision of this section shall apply regardless of the lack of any visible damage to

the child restraint system.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005337

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

CAUSES OF ACTION

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     This act would create a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system

that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005337

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