(a)  Neither the state, municipality, nor other political subdivision of the state or municipality may adopt or enforce a law, ordinance, resolution, or rule having the force of law that includes drinking, being a common drunkard, or being found in an intoxicated condition as one of the elements of the offense giving rise to a criminal or civil penalty or sanction.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-1.10-16

  • Alcoholic: means a person who habitually lacks self-control as to the use of alcoholic beverages, or uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his or her health is substantially impaired or endangered or his or her social or economic function is substantially disrupted;

    (2)  "Approved private treatment facility" means a private agency meeting the standards prescribed in Rhode Island General Laws 23-1.10-2

(b)  Neither the state, municipality, nor other political subdivision of the state or municipality shall interpret or apply any law of general application to circumvent the provision of subsection (a).

(c)  Nothing in this chapter affects any law, ordinance, resolution, or rule against drunken driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, or other similar offense involving the operation of a vehicle, aircraft, boat, machinery, or other equipment, or regarding the sale, purchase, dispensing, possessing, or use of alcoholic beverages at stated time and places or by a particular class of persons.

History of Section.
P.L. 1972, ch. 130, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 40.1-4-16; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 14, § 4.