MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES, the official text

S2178 2026 -- S 2178 ======== LC003225 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES Introduced By: Senators Urso, Felag, Patalano, Rogers, Appollonio, Vargas, Paolino, Tikoian, and Dimitri Date Introduced: January 16, 2026 Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 31-28 of the General Laws entitled Parking Facilities and 2 Privileges is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 31-28-7.4. Motor vehicle plates for persons with disabilities -- Adaptive vehicle license 4 plate. 5 (a) Definitions. As used in the section: 6 (1) Adaptive vehicle means a motor vehicle that has been structurally modified or 7 equipped with specialized equipment (such as ramps, lifts, lowered floors, specialized hand 8 controls, or restraint systems) to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a 9 significant mobility impairment. 10 (2) Adaptive vehicle license plate means a special registration plate issued under this 11 section that identifies a vehicle as an adaptive or mobility-modified vehicle. 12 (3) Qualified individual means a person who has a permanent mobility impairment 13 certified by a licensed physician or a physical therapist, necessitating the use of an adaptive vehicle 14 for transport. 15 (b) Eligibility requirements. 16 (1) Completed application form from the department of motor vehicles. 17 (2) Medical certification of disability/need for vehicle modification. 18 (3) Proof of vehicle modification. 1 (4) Standard registration fees apply. 2 (c) Privileges and access. Vehicles displaying an adaptive vehicle license plate shall be 3 eligible for: 4 (1) Parking in designated accessible loading/unloading zones for the purpose of assisting a 5 qualified individual; 6 (2) Exemption from certain height, width, or bumper restrictions applicable to non- 7 modified vehicles, as allowed by state law; 8 (3) Use of designated areas at public facilities where adaptive vehicles require additional 9 space for ramp deployment or passenger transfer. 10 (d) The division of motor vehicles may, in addition to the provisions of § 31-28-7, furnish 11 plates displaying the Internation Symbol of Access for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pickup 12 truck used exclusively for noncommercial purposes for a qualified individual. 13 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003225 ======== LC003225 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES *** 1 This act would create a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an 2 adaptive vehicle license plate to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a 3 significant mobility impairment. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003225 ======== LC003225 - Page 3 of 3