The bill proposes amendments to the General Laws in Chapters 31-26 and 31-27, which pertain to accidents, accident reports, and motor vehicle offenses. It increases penalties for drivers who fail to stop or comply with requirements after an accident involving serious bodily injury or death. Specifically, for accidents resulting in serious bodily injury, the maximum imprisonment term is raised from 10 to 15 years, and the license loss range is changed from a maximum of 2 years to a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years. For accidents resulting in death, the minimum imprisonment is increased from 2 to 5 years, and the maximum from 15 to 30 years, with the added possibility of permanent license revocation.

The bill also addresses DUI offenses that result in death or serious bodily injury. A new section, 31-27-2.2, is introduced for DUI offenses resulting in death, increasing the maximum imprisonment from 15 to 30 years and altering the license suspension to a minimum of two years and a maximum of ten years, with the potential for permanent revocation. For DUI offenses resulting in serious bodily injury, the maximum imprisonment is increased from 10 to 15 years, and the license revocation period is similarly adjusted. The bill removes specific penalties for repeat offenses within a five-year period, suggesting a standardized sentencing approach. The act would be effective upon passage, aiming to provide a consistent and increased penalty range for driving offenses leading to serious bodily injury or death.

Statutes affected:
7630: 31-26-1