2014 -- H 7258

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LC003298

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Craven, and Lally

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 69

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ELECTRONIC TRACKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

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     11-69-1. Electronic Tracking of Motor Vehicles. – (a)(1) Except as provided in

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subsection (b), it is an offense for a person to knowingly install, conceal or otherwise place an

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electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of all owners of the

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vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following an occupant or occupants of the vehicle.

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     (2) As used in this section, “person” does not include the manufacturer of the motor

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vehicle.

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     (b)(1) It shall not be a violation if the installing, concealing or placing of an electronic

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tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is by, or at the direction of, a law enforcement officer in

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furtherance of a criminal investigation and is carried out in accordance with the applicable state

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and federal law.

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     (2) If the installing, concealing or placing of an electronic tracking device in or on a

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motor vehicle is by, or at the direction of, a parent or legal guardian who owns or leases the

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vehicle, and if the device is used solely for the purpose of monitoring the minor child of the

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parent or legal guardian when the child is an occupant of the vehicle, then the installation,

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concealment or placement of the device in or on the vehicle without the consent of any or all

 

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occupants in the vehicle shall not be a violation.

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      (3) It shall also not be a violation of this section if the installing, concealing or placing

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of an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is for the purpose of tracking the location

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of stolen goods being transported in the vehicle or for the purpose of tracking the location of the

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vehicle if it is stolen.

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     (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a tracking system installed by the

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manufacturer of a motor vehicle.

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     (d) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, or

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up to a one thousand dollar ($1000) fine, or both.

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     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 CRIMINAL OFFENSES

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     This act would restrict the installation, concealment or placement of an electronic

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tracking device in or on a motor vehicle.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003298

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