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 transfer-on-death form by including in the certificate of title a designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom the motor vehicle shall be transferred upon the death of the owner or the last to die of multiple owners with the right of survivorship, subject to the rights of any lien holder.

The bill outlines that a motor vehicle is titled in transfer-on-death form by designating the name of the sole owner or the names of the owners who jointly own the vehicle with the right of survivorship, followed by the words "transfer on death to [name of beneficiary or beneficiaries]." If no title is available or does not contain transfer-on-death language, the owner may execute a document transferring the vehicle to a beneficiary during their lifetime. If no such document has been executed, the surviving spouse or heirs may transfer the title by providing a copy of the owner's death certificate and an affidavit stating their status as the surviving spouse or sole heirs, without the necessity of probate.

The transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries will have no interest in the motor vehicle until the death of the owner or the last survivor of any jointly owned vehicle. A beneficiary designation may be revoked or changed at any time by the owner(s) without the beneficiary's consent. Ownership of a motor vehicle titled in transfer-on-death form will vest in the designated beneficiary upon the owner's death, subject to the rights of any lien holder. If no beneficiary survives, the interest in the motor vehicle will belong to the estate of the deceased owner.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will prescribe any fees associated with the transfer of title and registration, but no fee shall exceed the annual registration fee for the vehicle. A certificate of title in transfer-on-death form will not be considered a testamentary disposition. The Department of Motor Vehicles will provide amended title forms and/or transfer-on-death forms to accomplish the purposes of the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
210: 31-3.1-37