2017 -- H 5055

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LC000262

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - DRIVER EDUCATION

REQUIREMENTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Diaz, Amore, O'Brien, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators'

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and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-10-20. Driver education course requirement before licensing.

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     (a) No limited instruction permit or license shall be issued to any person not more than

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eighteen (18) years of age unless that person shall have successfully completed a course of

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instruction as provided in § 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the board

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of governors for higher education as equivalent to it. However, any person who is over eighteen

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(18) years of age and has been a holder of a motor vehicle operator's license issued to that person

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by any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any other sovereignty for a

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period of one year immediately prior to his or her application for a license under this chapter shall

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not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.

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     (b) Commencing on July 1, 2004, no limited instruction permit or license shall be issued

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to any person not more than eighteen (18) years of age unless that person shall have successfully

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completed a course of instruction as provided in § 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction in

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another state recognized by the board of governors for higher education as equivalent to it. In

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determining whether a course is equivalent, the board of governors for higher education shall at a

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minimum require: (1) that the course consist of at least thirty-three (33) instructional hours which

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substantially conform with the current curriculum utilized by the instructor(s) at the Community

 

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College of Rhode Island, including a minimum of three (3) hours of instruction focusing upon

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specific Rhode Island traffic laws, the specific requirements of the Rhode Island graduated

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licensing statute in § 31-10-6 and eight (8) hours specifically for instruction on the effects of

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alcohol and drugs on a driver. All driver's education programs shall include information

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concerning the revised uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6 18.6.1 of title 23, and

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information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6 18.6.1 of title

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23; (2) that the instructor holds a valid teacher's certificate; (3) that the instructor satisfactorily

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completes at least a three (3) credit course in traffic safety education at an accredited institution of

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higher education; and (4) that the program does not offer outside the classroom road test

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instruction or driving lessons to Rhode Island students. However, any person who is over

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eighteen (18) years of age and has been a holder of a motor vehicle operator's license issued to

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that person by any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any other

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sovereignty for a period of one year immediately prior to his or her application for a license under

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this chapter shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.

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     (c) The driver's education course and driver's license examination shall include material

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pertaining to a driver's responsibilities when stopped by a law enforcement officer as explained

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during the driver education course.

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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 VEHICLES - DRIVER EDUCATION

REQUIREMENTS

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     This act would require driver's instruction courses and tests to include instruction and

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information on a driver's responsible conduct during a traffic stop.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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