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HB 8100

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Serpa

RI HB8100 standardizes and tightens penalties for crashes causing death or serious injury, increasing fines, prison time, and license suspensions.

04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8100

Summary of HB 8100 (Rhode Island) — 2026 Session

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Introduced: February 27, 2026
Sponsor: Representative Patricia A. Serpa (Co-sponsor: Pat Serpa)
Committee: House Judiciary
Status: As of April 28, 2026, recommended to be held for further study

Effective Date: Upon passage

1) Purpose and Overall Intent

  • The bill restructures and standardizes penalties for motor-vehicle crashes that result in death or serious bodily injury.
  • It aims to create a single, increased range of penalties for these offenses across related driving offenses, consolidating and clarifying sentencing ranges and license penalties.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Accidents Resulting in Injury, Serious Bodily Injury, or Death (Chapter 31-26)

  • Drivers involved in accidents causing injury, serious bodily injury, or death must stop at the scene and remain as required by law.
  • Penalty changes for failing to stop or comply:
    • Injury causing accidents: Mandatory loss of license for 1–5 years, imprisonment up to 5 years, and/or fines up to $5,000.
  • Penalties for causing serious bodily injury (first vs. subsequent convictions):
    • First violation: Imprisonment 1–15 years, fines $1,000–$5,000; license revoked for 2–10 years; reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and proof of financial responsibility.
    • Second or subsequent within 5 years: Imprisonment 2–15 years, fines $3,000–$10,000; license revoked for up to 4 years; reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility.
    • Definition of serious bodily injury: Injury creating substantial risk of death, serious disfigurement, or protracted impairment.
  • Penalties for causing death (subsection (d)):
    • First violation: Imprisonment 2–30 years; fines $5,000–$10,000; license revoked for 3 years (potentially permanent); reinstatement requires DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof.
    • Second or subsequent within 5 years: Imprisonment 5–20 years; fines $10,000–$20,000; license revoked for 5 years; reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof.
  • Application: This section applies to drivers involved with pedestrians or bicyclists as well.

B. Driving Offenses Related to Death, Serious Injury, and DUI/DWI (Chapter 31-27)

  • Driving so as to endanger, resulting in death (31-27-1):
    • Conviction penalties: Imprisonment up to 30 years; license suspension up to 5 years (with possible permanent revocation); reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof.
  • Driving so as to endanger, resulting in serious personal injury (31-27-1.1):
    • Conviction penalties: Not more than 15 years imprisonment; license suspension 2–10 years.
  • Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in death (31-27-2.2):
    • First offense: Prison 5–30 years; fines $5,000–$10,000; license revocation at least 5 years (possible permanent); reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof; potential requirement to complete alcohol/drug treatment at convict’s expense.
    • Second or subsequent offense within 5 years: Prison 10–20 years; fines $10,000–$20,000; license revocation 5 years; possible treatment requirement; reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof.
  • Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in serious bodily injury (31-27-2.6):
    • First offense: Imprisonment 1–15 years; fines $1,000–$5,000; license revocation 2–10 years (up to 2 years minimum, 10 years max); potential treatment requirement.
    • Second or subsequent within 5 years: Imprisonment 2–15 years; fines $3,000–$10,000; license revocation up to 4 years; treatment requirement; reinstatement contingent on DMV confirmation and financial responsibility proof.

C. General Scope

  • All sections are designed to apply to drivers involved with pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring uniform application of penalties across related offenses.

3) Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary: Drivers implicated in crashes resulting in injury, serious injury, or death; individuals charged with related DUI/driving-endangerment offenses.
  • Secondary: Individuals seeking reinstatement of driving privileges; the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) responsible for license reinstatement determinations and proof of financial responsibility.
  • Legal and criminal justice system: Judges will have discretion within the updated ranges; the act emphasizes a broader, unified penalty framework for these grave offenses.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Effective Date: Immediate upon passage (no phased implementation).
  • Reinstatement: Requires DMV confirmation that no grounds exist to refuse issuance and proof of financial responsibility (chapter 32) after license suspension or revocation.
  • The act consolidates and expands penalties within a single framework across multiple existing sections (31-26 and 31-27).

5) Observations

  • The bill introduces higher maximum penalties and standardized ranges for offenses resulting in death or serious injury.
  • It strengthens license suspension/revocation periods and ties reinstatement to DMV clearance and financial responsibility.
  • It adds potential treatment requirements for DUI-related offenses, emphasizing rehabilitation alongside punishment.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Rhode Island statutes to highlight exact delta figures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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