The bill amends Section 31-27-4.1 of the General Laws regarding motor vehicle offenses, specifically addressing the crime of eluding a law enforcement officer during a high-speed pursuit. It establishes that any individual who eludes a police vehicle in high-speed pursuit shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony. The penalties for this offense include imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine ranging from five thousand to ten thousand dollars, a license suspension for not less than one year but not more than two years, and potential forfeiture of the motor vehicle.

This act significantly increases the penalties compared to previous law, which included lesser sanctions for first and subsequent convictions, such as shorter incarceration periods, lower fines, and less severe license suspensions. The new legal language replaces the previous framework, streamlining the consequences for eluding law enforcement and emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. This act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
544: 31-27-4.1