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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Any violation of this section shall constitute a civil violation.

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

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safety belts for the operator and each passenger seat.

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

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

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

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buses.

 

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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 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

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

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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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