2020 -- S 2700

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LC004624

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL LICENSE FOR

MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES --

HELMETS

     Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Sosnowski, Coyne, Seveney, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-10.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10.1 entitled "Special

License for Motorcycles, Motor Scooters, and Other Motor Driven Cycles" is hereby amended to

read as follows:

     31-10.1-4. Required equipment.

     Operators of motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles shall use eye protection

of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles when operating their

vehicles on streets and highways. Every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle shall

be equipped with a rear view mirror. Any Every operator under the age of twenty-one (21) shall

wear a helmet of a type approved by the administrator of motor vehicles. In addition, all new

operators, regardless of age, shall be required, for a period of one year from the date of issuance of

the first license pursuant to § 31-10.1-1, to wear a helmet of a type approved by said the

administrator of the division of motor vehicles. Any person deemed in violation of this provision

shall be subject to the fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4, which shall be paid in accordance with the

provisions of chapter 41.1 of this title. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is

authorized to set forth rules and regulations governing the use of other equipment on those vehicles.

All fines collected under this section shall be deposited in a general restricted receipt account for

the use of the Rhode Island governor's office on highway safety in order to promote educational

and informational programs encouraging helmet use.

     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 -- SPECIAL LICENSE FOR

MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES --

HELMETS

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     This act would require all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet of a type approved by the

administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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