The bill amends the General Laws in the "Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" chapter to enhance driver education and traffic safety education, particularly for applicants under 21 years of age. It requires the Community College of Rhode Island to provide 33 hours of classroom instruction, including 8 hours on the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, with the curriculum approved by the board of governors for higher education. The bill also mandates that driver education programs include information about organ donation and the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. It introduces new provisions to include curriculum on the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving, to be approved by the state board of education. Additionally, the bill specifies that driver education must be available to residents not less than fifteen years and ten months of age and requires a separate program for special needs students, as well as a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers. The bill also addresses the financial and administrative aspects of the driver education program. It requires the Community College of Rhode Island to establish tuition fees to cover the costs of the program for physically handicapped drivers and exempts positions funded by these fees from the full-time equivalency cap. Furthermore, the bill mandates a course of instruction for parents or guardians of applicants under 18, which is to be provided at no cost and satisfies the requirement for a five-year period for any child under their care. The bill includes new language to incorporate curriculum on marijuana-impaired driving and will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5768  SUB A: 31-10-19
5768: 31-10-19