2019 -- H 5208

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LC000242

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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Amore, Serodio, Morin, and Casey

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2019

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 95

VEHICLE BARRIERS

     23-95-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Owner" means the proprietor, operator, lessor, or sublessor of commercial real estate

(as such term is defined in § 34-49-2) which is utilized, in whole or in part, by a retail

establishment.

     (2) "Retail establishments" means all sales outlets, stores, shops, or other places of

business located within the state, which operate primarily to sell or convey foods or goods.

     (3) "Vehicle barrier" means a safety device that meets, at a minimum, the vehicle impact

protection standards as, or to be, established by the Rhode Island building code commission, and

that is installed to protect persons located within or on the property of buildings, or to protect

pedestrians, from collisions into those buildings by motor vehicles.

     23-95-2. Installation of vehicle barriers.

     Owners shall be encouraged to install vehicle barriers at the location(s) of the owners'

retail establishments.

     23-95-3. Insurance discount.

     (a) An insurer may consider the installation of vehicle barriers as a safety measure and

may provide or offer a discount on the owner's insurance covering damage or loss to the covered

commercial real estate or liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the

commercial real estate relative to the reduced risk to the property as a result of installation of the

vehicle barrier(s).

     (b) Any discounts on insurance provided in accordance with this section shall be

determined to be actuarially sound and approved by the insurance commissioner prior to their

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 HEALTH AND SAFETY

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     This act would encourage commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their

retail establishment locations, and also permit insurers to consider the installation of such barriers

to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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