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H7437aa
2026 -- H 7437 AS AMENDED
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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
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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
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35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency
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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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(f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system
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shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals
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or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent
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with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.
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(g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information,
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or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring
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system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government
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agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic
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violation.
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31-41.2-3.
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15,
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2027.]
Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15, 2030.]
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(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
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detection systems. Such systems shall be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of
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traffic control signals. For purposes of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system
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means a system with one or more motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles
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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
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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
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35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency
LC004258 - Page 2 of 4
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and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of
2
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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(f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system
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shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals
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or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent
15
with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.
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(g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information,
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or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring
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system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government
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agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic
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violation.
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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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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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