Chapter 043

2006 -- H 7169 AS AMENDED

Enacted 06/01/06

A N A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- AUTOMOBILE BODY REPAIR SHOPS

Introduced By: Representatives Moura, Long, Corvese, and Schadone

Date Introduced: February 08, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-38-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-38 entitled "Automobile

Body Repair Shops" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-38-10. Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses. -- The department

of business regulation may deny an application for license or suspend or revoke a license after it

has been granted, for the following reasons:

      (1) On proof of unfitness of the applicant to do business as an automobile body repair

shop;

      (2) For any misstatement by the applicant in his or her application for license;

      (3) For any failure to comply with the provisions of this section or with any rule or

regulation promulgated by the commission under section 5-38-5;

      (4) For defrauding any customer;

      (5) For dismantling any automobile without the written authorization of the owner of the

automobile;

      (6) For refusing to surrender any automobile to its owner upon tender of payment of the

proper charges for towing storage, and work done on that automobile;

      (7) For having indulged in any unconscionable practice relating to the business as an

automobile body repair shop;

      (8) For willful failure to perform work as contracted for;

      (9) For failure to comply with the safety standards of the industry; or

      (10) For the purchase of used vehicle parts from unlicensed entities.

(11) For failure to comply with the requirements of section 5-38-30.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 5-38 of the General Laws entitled "Automobile Body Repair

Shops" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

5-38-30. Notices required to be displayed. – (a) A sign in boldfaced type letters at least

two (2) inches high, must be displayed in a conspicuous location in every licensed auto body

repair facility reading as follows:

"PURSUANT TO RHODE ISLAND LAW, THE CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO

CHOOSE THE REPAIR FACILITY TO COMPLETE REPAIRS TO A MOTOR VEHICLE;

AND AN INURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT INTERFERE WITH THE CONSUMER'S

CHOICE OF REPAIRER."

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01226

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