AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION MONETARY SYSTEMS (Extends the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.)

H7437

2026 -- H 7437
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LC004258
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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION
MONETARY SYSTEMS

Introduced By:
Representative Scott Slater

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
(City of Providence)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 31-41.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.2 entitled
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"Automated Traffic Violation Monitoring Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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31-41.2-3.
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January
4
15, 2027.]
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January 15, 2030.]
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(a) The state department of transportation and the municipalities of this state are hereby
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authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation detection systems. Such systems shall
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be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of traffic control signals. For purposes
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of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system means a system with one or more
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motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of
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traffic signal laws. A municipality shall be permitted to install, at up to no more than three (3)
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designated “Don’t Block the Box” intersections within the municipality, an automated traffic
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detection system to monitor violations of § 31-15-12.2; provided, however, that the provisions
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allowing such “Don’t Block the Box” monitoring shall sunset on January 15,
2027

2030
, at which
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time such use as provided in this section shall no longer be permitted.
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(b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this
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section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of
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transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations
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for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter

1
35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency
2
and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of
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the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.
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(c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of
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transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation
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must approve such installation.
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(d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an
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agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection
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systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.
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(e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall
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be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the
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revenue generated by such systems.
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31-41.2-3.
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15,
14
2027.]
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15, 2030.]
15
(a)
The

Effective January 15, 2030, the
state department of transportation and the
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municipalities of this state are hereby authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation
17
detection systems. Such systems shall be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of
18
traffic control signals. For purposes of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system
19
means a system with one or more motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles
20
being operated in violation of traffic signal laws.
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(b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this
22
section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of
23
transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations
24
for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter
25
35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency
26
and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of
27
the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.
28
(c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of
29
transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation
30
must approve such installation.
31
(d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an
32
agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection
33
systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.
34
(e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall

LC004258 - Page 2 of 4
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be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the
2
revenue generated by such systems.
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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION
MONETARY SYSTEMS
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1
This act would extend the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic
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detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004258
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LC004258 - Page 4 of 4