2014 -- H 7685

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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ABANDONED MOBILE AND

MANUFACTURED HOME ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Keable, Edwards, and Silva

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER

VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 44.2

ABANDONED MOBILE AND MANUFACTURED HOME ACT

     31-44.2-1. Legislative findings and purpose. – The general assembly finds that

abandoned mobile and manufactured homes are a nuisance because they cause blight and depress

property values. This act is intended to provide local governments and landowners with the

authority to remove abandoned mobile and manufactured homes while protecting property rights.

     31-44.2-2. Definitions. – As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Department" means the department of business regulation.

     (2) "Mobile and manufactured home" means a detached residential unit designed:

     (i) For a long-term occupancy and containing sleeping accommodations, a flush toilet,

and a tub or shower bath and kitchen facilities, having both permanent plumbing and electrical

connections for attachment to outside systems;

     (ii) To be transported on its own wheels or on a flatbed or other trailer or detachable

wheels; and

     (iii) To be placed on pads, piers, or tied down, at the site where it is to be occupied as a

residence complete and ready for occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and

assembly operations and connection to utilities systems.

     (4) "Abandoned mobile and manufactured home" means a mobile and manufactured

home that is:

     (i) Not connected to electricity or not connected to a source of safe potable water supply

sufficient for normal residential needs, or both; or

     (ii) Not connected to an adequate wastewater disposal system; or

     (iii) Unoccupied for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120) days and for which

there is clear and convincing evidence that the occupant does not intend to return; or

     (iv) So damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested that it

creates a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public.

     (5) "Landowner" means the owner of the real property on which an abandoned mobile or

manufactured home is located.

     (6) "Municipality" means the city or town in which the mobile or manufactured home is

located.

     (7) "Licensee" means any person or agent licensed under § 31-44-1.7 who is directly or

indirectly engaged in the business of maintaining or operating a mobile and manufactured home

park under the provisions of chapter 31-44.

     31-44.2-3. Jurisdiction. -- The district court of this state shall exercise jurisdiction in

both law and equity over removal of abandoned mobile or manufactured homes with respect to

any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a

transaction subject to this chapter. In addition to any other method provided by rule or by statute,

personal jurisdiction may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding commenced in the court by

the service of process in the manner provided herein.

     31-44.2-4. Service of process for actions pursuant to chapter. -- (a)(1) In actions

pursuant to this chapter, the summons for an action for removal of an abandoned mobile or

manufactured home shall be in the form provided in this chapter. At the time of filing of the

complaint, the clerk shall mark the date of hearing upon the summons, which shall be the ninth

(9th) day after filing of the complaint, or the first court day following the ninth (9th) day. For the

purposes of this section only, the time of filing of the complaint shall be the date upon which the

clerk assigns a case number to the action and the filing fee is paid to the clerk. On the same day

that the complaint is filed, the plaintiff's attorney or, if pro se, the plaintiff, or if more than one,

the person filing the complaint shall mail a copy of the summons and complaint by first class

mail, to the defendant, shall complete the proof of service on a copy of the original summons and

file the completed proof of service in the appropriate court. The clerk shall note on the docket the

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mailing date of the summons and complaint, and shall complete the proof of service on the

original summons. The plaintiff shall deliver the original summons and a copy thereof, together

with a copy of the complaint to the division of sheriffs or any constable of the county in which

the appropriate court is located. The officer receiving the copies shall serve them by:

     (i) Handing them to the defendant;

     (ii) Serving them at the defendant's dwelling unit to a person of suitable age and

discretion then residing therein; or

     (iii) If none be found, by posting them conspicuously on the door to defendant's dwelling

unit.

     (2) The deputy sheriff or constable serving the summons and complaint shall make proof

of service on the original summons and shall file it with the clerk of the appropriate court at or

before the time of the hearing. The proof of service shall show the manner and the day, hour, and

place of service, and shall show that the defendant was served no less than five (5) days before

the hearing.

     (b) In all actions pursuant to this chapter, the procedure shall be as follows:

     (1) The summons pursuant to this chapter shall be in the form provided in § 31-44.2-8.

     (2) Service shall be made pursuant to Rule 4 of the district court civil rules, or other

appropriate rule of court.

     (c) If a plaintiff or defendant is not a resident of this state or is a corporation not

authorized to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by this

chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, he or she may designate an agent upon

whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be a resident of this state or a

corporation authorized to do business in this state. The designation shall be in writing and filed

with the secretary of state. If no designation is made and filed or if the process cannot be served

in this state upon the designated agent, process may be served upon the secretary of state, but

service upon the secretary of state is not effective unless the plaintiff or petitioner forthwith mails

a copy of the process and pleading by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent

at his or her last reasonably ascertainable address. An affidavit of compliance with this subsection

shall be filed with the clerk of the court on or before the return day of the process, if any, or

within any further time the court allows.

     (d) If, at the time of hearing, it appears that the clerk failed to provide mail service as

required by subsection (a) of this section, or that the mailed service was undeliverable, service

shall nevertheless be deemed complete if proof of service reflects that service was accomplished

in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section.

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     31-44.2-5. Order for removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home. – (a)

An action for the removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home may be commenced by

a landowner/licensee/municipality if a mobile or manufactured home has been abandoned and the

following conditions have been met:

     (1) The mobile or manufactured home is not entitled to be situated on the property of the

landowner/municipality/licensee; and

     (2) The mobile or manufactured home is:

     (i) Not connected to electricity or not connected to a source of safe potable water supply

sufficient for normal residential needs, or both; or

     (ii) Not connected to an adequate wastewater disposal system; or

     (iii) Unoccupied for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120) days and for which

there is clear and convincing evidence that the occupant does not intend to return; or

     (iv) So damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested that it

creates a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public.

     (b) The action shall be commenced by filing a thirty (30) day notice for removal of the

mobile or manufactured home, which shall be filed in the appropriate court according to the form

provided in § 31-44.2-8.

     (c) The summons shall be in the form provided in § 31-4.2-8 and shall specify that the

defendant has thirty (30) days from the date of service in which to remedy the allegations in the

complaint, and that if he or she fails to do so within that time, he or she shall be defaulted. The

matter may be assigned for hearing in accordance with the rules of procedure of the appropriate

court.

     (d) If the court finds that the defendant failed to remedy the allegations contained in the

complaint to the satisfaction of the court, the court shall issue an order for the removal of the

abandoned mobile or manufactured home in accordance with this chapter.

     31-44.2-6. Appeals. – Appeals of actions brought under this chapter shall be pursuant to

§ 9-12-10.1.

     31-44.2-7. Execution. -- If no appeal is claimed, and if the judgment has not been

satisfied, execution shall be issued on the sixth (6th) day following judgment. Executions shall be

issued only to the division of sheriffs. Every execution issued by any district court pursuant to

this chapter shall continue in full force and effect for one year after the date thereof, and be

returnable to the district court which issued it in accordance with the provisions of § 9-25-21. All

costs in carrying out the mandates of the execution may be added to the execution by the clerk

upon approval of the court upon presentment of evidence of the costs.

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     31-44.2-8. Notices and complaint forms. – (a) A notice in substantially the following

language shall suffice for the purpose of giving an owner notice of removal of an abandoned

mobile or manufactured home pursuant to chapter 31-44.2:

THIRTY DAY NOTICE FOR REMOVAL OF MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME

     Date of Notice: ____________________

     You are notified that a certain mobile or manufactured home (describe mobile home in

terms of size, color, make, and model, if known) located at (give address or describe location)

meets the definition of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home within the meaning of the

"Abandoned Mobile or Manufactured Home Act" pursuant to chapter 31-44.2. Unless all

delinquent taxes (including penalty and interest) are paid, and electric, water, and waste services

are restored to this mobile or manufactured home within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice,

the defendant shall remove and dispose of the mobile or manufactured home, and it shall be

disposed of or sold at public auction free and clear of any existing liens.

_____________________________________

Signature of plaintiff

I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail first class postage prepaid, a copy of this notice

addressed to the plaintiff on the _________________day of_____________20_____.

     (b) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of

commencing removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home pursuant to chapter 31-

44.2:

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

______________________________________, Sc. DISTRICT COURT

_________________________________________ _________________ DIVISION

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT

______________________________________________________________________________

(Landowner/Licensee/Municipality Name) V (Mobile or Manufactured Homeowner Name)

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

(Address) (Address of premises on which abandoned mobile or manufactured home is located)

COMPLAINT FOR REMOVAL OF ABANDONED MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME

chapter 31-44.2.

     (1) Plaintiff is the landowner/licensee/municipality in which defendant's/owner's mobile

or manufactured home is situated.

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     (2) The mobile or manufactured home meets the definition of abandoned mobile or

manufacturer home as set forth in § 31-44.2-2(4) in the following manner.

     CHECK ONE

     Defendant's mobile or manufactured home is:

     ______ Not connected to electricity or not connected to a source of safe potable water

supply sufficient for normal residential needs, or both; or

     ______ Not connected to an adequate wastewater disposal system; or

     ______ Unoccupied for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120) days and for which

there is clear and convincing evidence that the occupant does not intend to return; or

     ______ So damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested that it

creates a hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or the public.

     (3) Plaintiff seeks judgment for removal of defendant's mobile or manufactured home. If

you do not remedy this situation within thirty (30) days your mobile or manufactured home will

be removed without further notice on ____________(date), which must not be less than thirty-one

(31) days from the date of mailing this notice. Plaintiff seeks costs and fees (if applicable).

____________________________________________________

     Signature of landowner/licensee/municipality

     I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail first class postage prepaid, a copy of this

notice, addressed to plaintiff on the _________________ day of_____________20_____.

     31-44.2-9. Auction of abandoned mobile or manufactured home. – (a) If an order for

removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home has been issued in accordance with § 31-

44.2-5 the mobile or manufactured home may be sold at public auction. The purchaser of the

mobile or manufactured home shall take title of the home free and clear of all liens and claims of

ownership, and shall receive a sales receipt and bill of sale, and shall be entitled to register the

mobile or manufactured home.

     (b) From the proceeds of the sale of abandoned mobile or manufactured home, the

plaintiff shall reimburse itself the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving, and

storing the mobile or manufactured home and all notices and publication costs incurred pursuant

to this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the

mobile or manufactured home or entitled lienholder for ninety (90) days and then shall be

deposited in a special abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund which shall remain

available for the payment of auction, towing, preserving, storage, and all notice and publication

costs which result from other abandoned mobile and manufactured homes, whenever the proceeds

from a sale of the other abandoned mobile or manufactured homes are insufficient to meet these

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expenses and costs.

     (c) Whenever the director finds that moneys in the abandoned mobile or manufactured

home fund are in excess of reserves likely to be needed, he or she may transfer the excess to the

general fund. But in the event there are additional claims against the abandoned mobile or

manufactured home fund, or if the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund is temporarily

exhausted, these claims shall be met from the general fund to the limit of any transfers previously

made to it pursuant to this chapter.

     31-44.2-10. Severability. – If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to

any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or

application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,

and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.

     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 -- ABANDONED MOBILE AND

MANUFACTURED HOME ACT

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     This act would provide a procedure for removal of abandoned mobile or manufactured

homes under the jurisdiction of the district court.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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