This bill amends Section 31-3.1-37 of the General Laws regarding the transfer of motor vehicle titles upon the death of the owner. It establishes that, on and after September 1, 2025, a motor vehicle may be titled in a transfer-on-death form by including a designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries in the certificate of title. This allows the vehicle to be transferred directly to the named beneficiaries upon the owner's death, subject to the rights of any lien holder, and bypassing probate.

The bill outlines the process for designating beneficiaries, including the necessary language to be included in the title certificate. It also specifies that if no title is available or if the title does not contain transfer-on-death language, the owner may execute a document transferring the vehicle to a beneficiary during their lifetime. In the absence of such a document, the surviving spouse or heirs may transfer the title by providing a copy of the owner's death certificate and an affidavit to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that beneficiaries have no interest in the vehicle until the owner's death, and that the designation of beneficiaries can be revoked or changed by the owner at any time. It also states that ownership of a vehicle titled in transfer-on-death form will vest in the designated beneficiaries upon the owner's death, and if no beneficiary survives, the interest will belong to the deceased owner's estate.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is tasked with prescribing any fees associated with the transfer of title and registration, ensuring that no fee exceeds the annual registration fee for the vehicle. Furthermore, a certificate of title in transfer-on-death form is not considered a testamentary disposition, and the Department will provide amended title forms to facilitate these provisions.

Statutes affected:
210: 31-3.1-37