AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS -- THE CHARLOTTE A. VACCA ACT (Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations as part of any new construction.)

H7179

2026 -- H 7179
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LC003939
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS -- THE CHARLOTTE A.
VACCA ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Phillips, J. Brien, Place, Azzinaro, and Shanley

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 106
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VEHICLE BARRIERS
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23-106-1. Short title.
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Charlotte A. Vacca Act."
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23-106-2. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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(1) "Owner" means the proprietor, operator, lessor, or sublessor of commercial real estate
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defined in § 34-49-2, which is utilized, in whole or in part, by a retail establishment.
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(2) "Retail establishments" means all sales outlets, stores, shops, or other places of business
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located within the state, which operate primarily to sell or convey food or goods.
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(3) "Vehicle barrier" means a safety device that meets, at a minimum, the vehicle impact
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protection standards as adopted and amended by the Rhode Island building code commission, and
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that is installed to protect persons located within or on the property or to protect pedestrians, from
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collisions into buildings by motor vehicles.
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23-106-3. Installation of vehicle barriers.
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(a) Owners, as a part of any new construction of commercial real estate or buildings

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thereon, shall install vehicle barriers. Owners shall also be encouraged to install vehicle barriers at
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the locations of all of the owner's other retail establishments to protect persons and pedestrians on
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the property or within the establishment. Provided, any vehicle barrier shall be installed so that
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there is sufficient space to ensure wheelchair access and to otherwise be in compliance with the
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Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) and any other applicable state and
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local law regarding access for persons with disabilities.
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(b) Provided, the vehicle barriers required under this section shall not be required
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immediately in front of the entrance to the building if the parking lot lanes or stripe lines in the
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front lot are parallel to, and not perpendicular to, the front entrance to the building.
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23-106-4. Insurance discount.
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(a) An insurer shall consider the installation of vehicle barriers as a safety measure and
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shall provide or offer a discount on the owner's insurance covering damage or loss to the covered
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commercial real estate or liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the
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commercial real estate relative to the reduced risk to the property as a result of installation of the
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vehicle barrier(s).
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(b) Any discounts on insurance provided in accordance with this section shall be
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determined to be actuarially sound and approved by the insurance commissioner prior to their
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utilization by insurers.
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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS -- THE CHARLOTTE A.
VACCA ACT
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This act would require commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail
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establishment locations as part of any new construction. This act would also require insurers to
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consider the installation of such vehicle barriers as a safety measure and eligible for a discount on
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the owner's insurance policy premium as approved by the insurance commissioner.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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