2012 -- H 7282

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LC00884

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- POWERS AND OPERATIONS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, Hull, Gallison, Guthrie, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2012

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 19-3 of the General Laws entitled "Powers and Operations" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     19-3-13.3. Debit cards. – (a) No financial institution or credit union authorized pursuant

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to section 19-3-13 to make available for use by its clients any electronic banking devices or

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machines (customer bank communication terminals/automated teller machines) shall charge a fee

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to its clients for use of debit card to make a purchase or withdraw cash.

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     (b) As used in this section, the term “debit card” means a card, other than a “credit card,”

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issued by a financial institution or credit union, that allows clients of the financial institution or

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credit union immediate access to their accounts to withdraw cash or pay for goods and services.

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     (c) Any violation of this section shall result in a return of any fees charged by the

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financial institution or credit union to the client and a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) per

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incident to be levied against the offending financial institution or credit union.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00884

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- POWERS AND OPERATIONS

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     This act would prohibit a financial institution or credit union from charging a fee for use

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of a debit card for a purchase or cash withdrawal. This act would also provide penalties for

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violations.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00884

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H7282