It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 45-4-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-4 entitled "ELECTION AND QUALIFICATION OF OFFICERS" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-4-13. Bond of tax collectors. -- Every collector of taxes shall give bond, with sufficient surety, for the faithful performance of his or her trust, to the town treasurer of the town for which the collector is chosen, in such sum as the town or the town council of the town shall determine, not exceeding double the amount of the tax with the collection of which the collector shall be charged. Whenever any town shall elect its town treasurer as collector of taxes for the town, the bond to be given by the collector under the provisions hereof shall be given to the town, and shall be delivered to the town council for safekeeping, and upon the happening of any breach of the condition of the bond, an action thereon may be commenced in the name of the town to which it was given.

{ADD Provided, however, that any collector of taxes, for any fire district who is covered by any other bond held by the district which gives sufficient coverage and protection for his or her duties as determined by the board of commissioners of said district, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.