2023 -- H 5329
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LC000776
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS
Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Morales, Serpa, Bennett, Casey, Voas,
Solomon, J. Brien, Messier, and Baginski
Date Introduced: February 03, 2023
Referred To: House Small Business
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2
CHAPTER 99 3
VEHICLE BARRIERS 4
23-99-1. Definitions. 5
As used in this chapter: 6
(1) "Owner" means the proprietor, operator, lessor, or sublessor of commercial real estate 7
(as such term is defined in ยง 34-49-2) which is utilized, in whole or in part, by a retail establishment. 8
(2) "Retail establishments" means all sales outlets, stores, shops, or other places of business 9
located within the state, which operate primarily to sell or convey foods or goods. 10
(3) "Vehicle barrier" means a safety device that meets, at a minimum, the vehicle impact 11
protection standards as, or to be, established by the Rhode Island building code commission, and 12
that is installed to protect persons located within or on the property of buildings, or to protect 13
pedestrians, from collisions into those buildings by motor vehicles. 14
23-99-2. Installation of vehicle barriers. 15
Owners who undertake any new construction or renovations of commercial real estate or 16
buildings thereon shall install vehicle barriers at any location upon which construction or 17
renovations are being done or undertaken. Owners shall be encouraged to install vehicle barriers at 18
the locations of all of the owner's other retail establishments. 19
LC000776 - Page 2 of 3
23-99-3. Insurance discount. 1
(a) An insurer may consider the installation of vehicle barriers as a safety measure and may 2
provide or offer a discount on the owner's insurance covering damage or loss to the covered 3
commercial real estate or liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the 4
commercial real estate relative to the reduced risk to the property as a result of installation of the 5
vehicle barrier(s). 6
(b) Any discounts on insurance provided in accordance with this section shall be 7
determined to be actuarially sound and approved by the insurance commissioner prior to their use. 8
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 9
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LC000776
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LC000776 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS
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This act would require commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail 1
establishment locations when construction or renovations are being done. This act would also 2
permit insurers to consider the installation of such vehicle barriers to provide a discount on the 3
owner's insurance policy. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC000776
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