AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS AND WINDOWS (Removes the exemption for tinting of the windshield and imposes fines of $250 for a first and second offense and subsequent offenses are punishable by a $250 fine and up to a one year suspension of the vehicle registration.)

H8312

2026 -- H 8312
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LC006107
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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 -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS
AND WINDOWS

Introduced By:
Representatives Phillips, Bennett, Noret, Read, Hull, and J. Brien

Date Introduced:
March 18, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Sections 31-23.3-4 and 31-23.3-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23.3
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entitled "Nontransparent Windshields and Windows" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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31-23.3-4. Exemptions.
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(a)
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
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(1) Motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass areas equipped in
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accordance with specifications of 49 CFR 571.205 as authorized by 15 U.S.C. § 1407.
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(2) Motor vehicles owned or leased by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
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(3) The use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application on motor
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vehicles which has a total visible light transmittance of not less than seventy percent (70%)
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measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass on the
windshield and
side windows immediately
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adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the
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operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with
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two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway
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behind the vehicle.
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(4) The use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost six inches (6") along the
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top of the windshield, provided the strip does not encroach upon the driver’s direct forward viewing
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area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
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Standards.

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(5) Motor vehicles not required to be registered in this state.
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(6) The use of sunscreen material on windows behind the driver in trucks, buses, trailers,
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mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles, or
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limousines, provided that the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, if
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those mirrors meet federal standards adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway behind
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the vehicle.
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(7)
A

Except for the windshield area, as prohibited pursuant to subsection (b) of this
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section, a
motor vehicle registered in this state in the name of a person, or the person’s legal
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guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this
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state that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor
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vehicle with a sunscreening device which may exceed federal standards. The division of motor
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vehicles, upon application of the individual, which shall include the affidavit, shall issue a sticker
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to be applied to the driver’s side window to identify this exemption.
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(8) Any motor vehicle, registered and garaged within this state, whose sole purpose is to
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provide executive security to persons within this state. The owner(s) of the vehicle shall first seek
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and obtain written permission from the local police chief where the vehicle is garaged and
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registered before the waiver is granted.
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(b) Except as specifically exempt pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this
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section, effective July 1, 2026, no motor vehicle to include, but not be limited to, motor vehicles
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subject to the provisions of subsection (a)(7) of this section, shall be operated on a public street,
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roadway, or highway in Rhode Island, which motor vehicle has front windshield window tinting
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except for the top six (6) inches of the front windshield. As used herein, the term "front windshield
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window tinting" means a thin film applied to the interior surface of the vehicle's front windows
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which darkens the windows to block UV light and reduce glare from the sun and headlights.
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31-23.3-5. Penalties.
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(a) Any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity that installs any sunscreening
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material which is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not more than
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two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each offense.
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(b) Any person who owns a motor vehicle which has installed on it any sunscreening device
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or material in violation of this chapter
for a first or second offense
shall be fined not more than two
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hundred fifty dollars ($250).
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(c) For a third and subsequent offenses a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and
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suspension of the motor vehicle's registration for a period of up to one year.

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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 -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS
AND WINDOWS
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This act would remove the exemption for tinting of the windshield and impose fines of two
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hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first and second offense and subsequent offenses are punishable
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by a two hundred fifty dollar ($250) fine and up to a one year suspension of the vehicle registration.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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