2019 -- H 5651

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LC001847

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS

AND WINDOWS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Quattrocchi, Nardone, Price, and Roberts

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-23.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23.3 entitled

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"Nontransparent Windshields and Windows" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-23.3-4. Exemptions.

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     The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

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     (1) Motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass areas equipped in

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accordance with specifications of 49 CFR 571.205 as authorized by 15 U.S.C. ยง 1407.

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     (2) Motor vehicles owned or leased by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

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     (3) The use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application on motor

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vehicles which has a total visible light transmittance of not less than seventy percent (70%)

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measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass on the windshield and side windows

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immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator's seat, the side windows immediately to

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the rear of the operator's seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is

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equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear

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view of the highway behind the vehicle.

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     (4) The use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost six inches (6") along the

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top of the windshield, provided the strip does not encroach upon the driver's direct forward

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viewing area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle

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Safety Standards.

 

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     (5) Motor vehicles not required to be registered in this state.

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     (6) The use of sunscreen material on windows behind the driver in trucks, buses, trailers,

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mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles, or

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limousines, provided that the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side,

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if those mirrors meet federal standards adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway

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behind the vehicle.

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     (7) A motor vehicle registered in this state in the name of a person, or the person's legal

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guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this

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state that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor

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vehicle with a sunscreening device which may exceed federal standards. The division of motor

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vehicles, upon application of the individual, which shall include the affidavit, shall issue a sticker

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to be applied to the driver's side window to identify this exemption.

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     (8) Any motor vehicle, registered and garaged within this state, whose sole purpose is to

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provide executive security to persons within this state. The owner(s) of the vehicle shall first seek

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and obtain written permission from the local police chief where the vehicle is garaged and

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registered before the waiver is granted.

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     (9) Any motor vehicle, registered and garaged within this state, in the name of a person,

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licensed under chapters 5 and 5.1 of title 5. The division of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules

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and regulations that are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this subsection.

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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 - NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS

AND WINDOWS

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     This act would provide an exemption, for private detectives and private security guards,

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from the law banning nontransparent windshields and windows.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001847

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