AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Creates a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an "adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment.)

S2178

2026 -- S 2178
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LC003225
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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 -- PARKING FACILITIES AND
PRIVILEGES

Introduced By:
Senators Urso, Felag, Patalano, Rogers, Appollonio, Vargas, Paolino,
Tikoian, and Dimitri

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 31-28 of the General Laws entitled "Parking Facilities and
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Privileges" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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31-28-7.4. Motor vehicle plates for persons with disabilities -- Adaptive vehicle license
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plate.

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(a) Definitions. As used in the section:
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(1) "Adaptive vehicle" means a motor vehicle that has been structurally modified or
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equipped with specialized equipment (such as ramps, lifts, lowered floors, specialized hand
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controls, or restraint systems) to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a
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significant mobility impairment.
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(2) "Adaptive vehicle license plate" means a special registration plate issued under this
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section that identifies a vehicle as an adaptive or mobility-modified vehicle.
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(3) "Qualified individual" means a person who has a permanent mobility impairment
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certified by a licensed physician or a physical therapist, necessitating the use of an adaptive vehicle
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for transport.
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(b) Eligibility requirements.
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(1) Completed application form from the department of motor vehicles.
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(2) Medical certification of disability/need for vehicle modification.
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(3) Proof of vehicle modification.

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(4) Standard registration fees apply.
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(c) Privileges and access. Vehicles displaying an adaptive vehicle license plate shall be
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eligible for:
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(1) Parking in designated accessible loading/unloading zones for the purpose of assisting a
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qualified individual;
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(2) Exemption from certain height, width, or bumper restrictions applicable to non-
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modified vehicles, as allowed by state law;
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(3) Use of designated areas at public facilities where adaptive vehicles require additional
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space for ramp deployment or passenger transfer.
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(d) The division of motor vehicles may, in addition to the provisions of § 31-28-7, furnish
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plates displaying the "Internation Symbol of Access" for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pickup
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truck used exclusively for noncommercial purposes for a qualified individual.
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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 -- PARKING FACILITIES AND
PRIVILEGES
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This act would create a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an
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"adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a
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significant mobility impairment.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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