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S2722 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Creates a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident.)

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Creates a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident.)

Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Vargas, Britto, DiPalma, Urso, Famiglietti, Acosta, Bell, Appollonio, Patalano
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/09/2026)

  3. 2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Creates a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S2722

2026 -- S 2722
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LC005337
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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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSES OF ACTION

Introduced By:
Senators Vargas, Britto, DiPalma, Urso, Famiglietti, Acosta, Bell,
Appollonio, and Patalano

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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9-1-55. Recovery of replacement value of a child restraint system in a motor vehicle
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accident.

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(a) Any person responsible for a collision with a motor vehicle, which contains or employs
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a federally approved child restraint system under 49 CFR § 571.213 that is being used to transport
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a child in compliance with § 31-22-22 or which is unoccupied at the time of the collision, shall be
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liable to the owner of the child restraint system for the replacement value of the child restraint
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system.
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(b) The person responsible for the collision or their insurer shall be entitled to take
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possession of the child restraint system upon payment of the replacement value pursuant to the
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provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
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(c) The provision of this section shall apply regardless of the lack of any visible damage to
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the child restraint system.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005337
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSES OF ACTION
***
1
This act would create a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system
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that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005337
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