 |
|
4/3/2025
|
House passes Rep. Dawson’s bill that escalates penalties for tinted car windows
|
STATE HOUSE – The House today passed legislation (2025-H 5644) sponsored by Rep. Matthew S. Dawson that would provide escalating penalties for second and subsequent violations of installing and possessing a vehicle with tinted windows prohibited by law.
“Since this law was enacted in 1993, the public has been less than compliant. Take a look at all the cars on the road at any given time or day, and one can plainly see numerous vehicles with pitch-black windows operating freely without consequence. Our current penalty structure for this law is not doing the job and something needs to change. Windows with excessive tint are a safety hazard for drivers, pedestrians and first responders, and this bill will hopefully provide a significant deterrent from ignoring this public safety issue,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).
The legislation states that any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity that installs, owns or operates a motor vehicle which has any tinting device or material in violation of current law would be fined not more than $250 for a first violation, $375 for a second violation and $500 for a third or subsequent violation.
During the bill’s hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, the Rhode Island Supreme Court, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and the Division of Motor Vehicles all offered testimony in support of the legislation.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
|
|