AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 6 co-sponsors

Allows police to issue a verbal warning (not a fine) when a child under seven is left unattended, with no record kept, while preserving other criminal remedies.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of SB 3135 (Session 2026, Rhode Island)

Purpose and intent

The bill amends provisions related to child passenger protection under the state’s miscellaneous motor vehicle rules.

It restores law enforcement discretion by allowing officers to issue a verbal warning when a child under age seven is left unattended in a motor vehicle, rather than automatically imposing fines or sanctions.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Rhode Island General Laws § 31-22-22.1:

(a) Law enforcement officers may provide a verbal warning to a person who leaves a child under seven unattended in a motor vehicle.
The warning must inform the individual of risks such as kidnapping/abduction and dangers from extreme temperatures inside a vehicle.
(b) No fine or sanction shall be imposed for this violation solely for the verbal warning, and no formal record of the warning shall be maintained.
The section clarifies that it does not preclude prosecution under other criminal laws for acts that constitute a criminal offense; a violation of this section may still result in criminal penalties if applicable under other laws.

Section 2: Effective date – the act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

Individuals who leave a child under seven unattended in a motor vehicle.

Rhode Island law enforcement officers (given discretion to issue verbal warnings rather than mandatory fines).

The administration of penalties (restrictions on fines/records for a verbal warning) while still allowing potential criminal charges if other laws are violated.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status and history:

Introduced March 20, 2026; referred to Senate Judiciary.
Committee recommended holding for further study (April 9, 2026).
Scheduled for consideration (May 30, 2026) with a hearing/consideration noted for June 2, 2026.

Effective date: Immediate upon passage.

Practical impact

Reinstates officer discretion to issue verbal warnings for this specific scenario, potentially reducing automatic penalties for first-time or non-egregious cases.

Maintains the option to pursue criminal charges if other statutes apply, preserving accountability for serious or egregious conduct.

Aims to balance child safety with proportional enforcement, avoiding unnecessary penalties while still enabling legal remedies when warranted.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison to Rhode Island’s current practice or examples of how a verbal warning might be issued in a typical case.