A Rhode Island bill that aims to prohibit insurance companies from mandating the use of aftermarket parts on newer vehicles is on its way to Gov. Gina Raimondo. However, the latest, substituted version of the bill passed by both the state’s House and Senate excludes auto glass parts from its provisions.
The bill, SB 2679, “provides that insurance companies may not mandate the use of aftermarket parts without the owner’s consent on motor vehicles less than 48 months beyond manufacture date.” However, the bill excludes auto glass parts, noting that “this chapter shall not apply to the repair or replacement of motor vehicle glass 13 performed by licensed motor vehicle glass repair shops pursuant to chapter 38.5 of title 5.”
The previous version of the bill did not include this exemption.
The bill was introduced on March 20 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee recommended passage of the bill on May 8 and the Senate passed an amended version of the bill on May 15 and referred it to the House Corporations Committee. The House passed the latest of the bill on June 22 and the Senate passed it on June 23.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, Dominick Ruggerio and Michael McCaffrey.