2023 -- S 0886
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LC002683
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D OTHER VEHICLES -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDS HIELDS
AND WINDOWS
Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, Britto, F. Lombardi, DiPalma, and Tikoian
Date Introduced: March 30, 2023
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31-23.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23.3 entitled 1
"Nontransparent Windshields and Windows" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
31-23.3-4. Exemptions. 3
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: 4
(1) Motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass areas equipped in 5
accordance with specifications of 49 CFR 571.205 as authorized by 15 U.S.C. § 1407. 6
(2) Motor vehicles owned or leased by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 7
(3) The use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application on motor 8
vehicles which has a total visible light transmittance of not less than seventy thirty-five percent 9
(70%) (35%) measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass on the windshield and side 10
windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows 11
immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if 12
the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver 13
has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. 14
(4) The use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost six inches (6") along the 15
top of the windshield, provided the strip does not encroach upon the driver’s direct forward viewing 16
area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 17
Standards. 18
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(5) Motor vehicles not required to be registered in this state. 1
(6) The use of sunscreen material on windows behind the driver in trucks, buses, trailers, 2
mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles, or 3
limousines, provided that the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, if 4
those mirrors meet federal standards adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway behind 5
the vehicle. 6
(7) A motor vehicle registered in this state in the name of a person, or the person’s legal 7
guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this 8
state that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor 9
vehicle with a sunscreening device which may exceed federal standards. The division of motor 10
vehicles, upon application of the individual, which shall include the affidavit, shall issue a sticker 11
to be applied to the driver’s side window to identify this exemption. 12
(8) Any motor vehicle, registered and garaged within this state, whose sole purpose is to 13
provide executive security to persons within this state. The owner(s) of the vehicle shall first seek 14
and obtain written permission from the local police chief where the vehicle is garaged and 15
registered before the waiver is granted. 16
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 17
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LC002683
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LC002683 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D OTHER VEHICLES -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDS HIELDS
AND WINDOWS
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This act would reduce the total visible light transmittance of motor vehicles regarding 1
windshields and side windows from a minimum of seventy percent (70%) to thirty-five percent 2
(35%) measured perpendicular to the glass surface. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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LC002683
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