AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES (Requires all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age.)

S2286

2026 -- S 2286
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LC004324
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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 -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR
MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR
DRIVEN CYCLES

Introduced By:
Senators Lauria, Kallman, Valverde, Pearson, DiMario, Quezada, Euer,
Ujifusa, Bell, and Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 31-10.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10.1 entitled "Special
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Licenses for Motorcycles, Motor Scooters, Low-Speed Vehicles and Other Motor Driven Cycles"
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is hereby amended to read as follows:
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31-10.1-4. Required equipment.
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Operators of motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles shall use eye protection
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of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles when operating their
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vehicles on streets and highways. Every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle shall
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be equipped with a rear view mirror. Any operator
under the age of twenty-one (21)
shall wear a
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helmet of a type approved by the administrator of motor vehicles.
In addition, all new operators,
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regardless of age, shall be required, for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the first
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license pursuant to § 31-10.1-1, to wear a helmet of a type approved by said administrator.
Any
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person deemed in violation of this provision shall be subject to the fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-
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4, which shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 41.1 of this title. The
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administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to set forth rules and regulations
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governing the use of other equipment on those vehicles. All fines collected under this section shall
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be deposited in a general restricted receipt account for the use of the Rhode Island governor’s office
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on highway safety in order to promote educational and informational programs encouraging helmet
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use.

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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 -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR
MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR
DRIVEN CYCLES
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This act would require all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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