This bill prohibits individuals from asking for money or other donations while standing or sitting in a crosswalk, intersection, or safety zone. The law applies to all people within the state but excludes toll collectors on municipal or state roads. Violations could result in fines ranging from $250 to $500, community service hours, or up to one year in prison for repeat offenses, with judges also having the option to order counseling. The legislation aims to keep pedestrian areas clear and safe by preventing solicitation activities in these specific locations.
Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31.41.1-4.
HB 7672 requires the Department of Transportation to install stop signs at all intersections where state highways cross bike paths. This law directly affects motor vehicle operators, who must come to a complete stop at these locations. The bill mandates that stop signs be placed and maintained at every such intersection on state highways, coordinated with the Traffic Safety Commission. It takes effect upon passage and does not specify additional safety measures beyond the stop requirement.
SB 2751, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, grants cities and towns authority to implement automated traffic monitoring systems (like cameras) to detect pedestrian safety violations, such as vehicles failing to yield at crosswalks. Local governments would use these systems to identify violations, with drivers facing a $50 civil fine for each offense. The bill directly affects drivers who violate pedestrian safety rules and empowers local authorities to enforce these rules without requiring state-level mandates.
HB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.
HB 7502 would require the state, not local towns or cities, to handle all maintenance of sidewalks alongside state highways - such as repairs, cleaning, and replacement - except for snow and ice removal. This directly affects municipalities that previously managed sidewalk upkeep along state roads, shifting that responsibility to the state transportation department. The bill amends existing laws to clarify the state’s authority for sidewalk construction and maintenance, while explicitly excluding snow and ice removal from the state’s duties. It does not create new sidewalks but changes who maintains existing ones along state highways. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 4, 2026.
HB 7179, the "Charlotte A. Vacca Act," requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers meeting Rhode Island building code standards at retail establishments (stores selling food or goods) as part of new construction. It also encourages owners to add barriers at existing locations for pedestrian safety, while mandating compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for accessibility. The bill includes a provision requiring insurers to offer premium discounts for properties with installed barriers, subject to approval by the insurance commissioner. This law directly affects retail property owners and aims to reduce vehicle-impact risks to pedestrians and occupants. It takes effect upon passage.
SB 2042 requires the state to handle all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, except for snow and ice removal, which remains the responsibility of local entities. This bill directly affects state highway sidewalks by shifting the primary maintenance duty from local municipalities to the state government. The key provision amends existing laws to explicitly state that the state, not towns or cities, must maintain sidewalks (excluding snow/ice clearing). The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change sidewalk construction requirements, which still require state approval.
