2023 -- S 0332
========
LC001277
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENS ES
Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Tikoian, Paolino, McKenney, F. Lombardi, Britto, and
Ciccone
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31-27-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor 1
Vehicle Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
31-27-4.1. Eluding a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle in a high speed 3
pursuit. 4
Any person who in an attempt to elude or flee from a police officer in an emergency police 5
vehicle in a high speed pursuit of the person, operates a motor vehicle at speeds greater than fifteen 6
(15) miles per hour over the speed limit, or who causes property damage only in excess of one 7
thousand dollars ($1,000) shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for 8
not more than five (5) years at the adult correctional institutions (ACI), and/or be subject to a fine 9
of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), but not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), 10
and may have their license suspended for not less than one year, but not more than two (2) years, 11
and may be subject to the forfeiture of the motor vehicle.: 12
(1) For the first conviction, may be subject to the following sanctions: 13
(i) Up to one year incarceration at the adult correction institutions (A.C.I.) and a fine of 14
five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000); 15
(ii) License suspension of not less than ninety (90) days but not more than six (6) months 16
and forfeiture of the motor vehicle. 17
(2) For a second or subsequent conviction, the person shall: 18
(i) Be sentenced to two (2) years at the A.C.I., but not more than five (5) years; 19
LC001277 - Page 2 of 3
(ii) Be fined a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) but not more than five thousand dollars 1
($5,000); 2
(iii) Receive a license suspension of not less than one year but not more than five (5) years; 3
and 4
(iv) Forfeit the motor vehicle. 5
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 6
========
LC001277
========
LC001277 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENS ES
***
This act would increase the penalty for anyone found guilty of eluding a police vehicle in 1
high speed pursuit to a felony punishable by up to five (5) years imprisonment, a fine of between 2
five thousand dollars ($5,000) and ten thousand dollars ($10,000), a loss of license from one to two 3
(2) years, and a possible forfeiture their motor vehicle. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
========
LC001277
========