2016 -- H 7155

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LC003564

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES -- EQUIPMENT AND

ACCESSORIES GENERALLY

     Introduced By: Representatives Nardolillo, Diaz, Jacquard, Canario, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: January 14, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-23-41 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23 entitled

"Equipment and Accessories Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-23-41. Safety belts in public service vehicles. -- (a) Every jitney, bus, private bus,

school bus, and trackless trolley coach, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a

driver's seat safety belt device sufficiently anchored and attached and so constructed, designed,

and installed as to support a loop-load strength of not less than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.)

and a buckle or closing device which shall be of a construction and design that it can be released

with one hand with a pull of less than forty-five pounds (45 lbs.). Every person when driving any

vehicle of this kind shall use and have his or her body anchored by the seat safety belt. Violation

Any violation of this section shall constitute a civil violation.

     (b) Every new school bus purchased or leased for use in the state shall be equipped with

safety belts for the operator and each passenger seat.

     (c) Upon the purchase of one or more school buses equipped with seat belts, each school

district shall prepare a plan for the implementation and use of seat belts, including evacuation

drills in case of emergency, within one year of the delivery and receipt of such school bus or

buses.

     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 MOTOR VEHICLES -- EQUIPMENT AND

ACCESSORIES GENERALLY

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     This act would require that all new school buses purchased or leased for use in the state

be equipped with seat belt assemblies for each passenger and operator seat, would require safety

belt use by the school bus operator and each passenger, and would require each school district to

adopt an implementation plan, including, but not limited to, evacuation drills.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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