(a)  Any person selling or trading a motor vehicle who has actual knowledge that the motor vehicle has a nonfunctional airbag or counterfeit supplemental restraint system component installed or that an airbag is otherwise inoperable shall notify the buyer or the person acquiring the trade, in writing, of that defect.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 31-53-7

  • Airbag: means a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system device that is part of a supplemental restraint system. See Rhode Island General Laws 31-53-3
  • Counterfeit supplemental restraint system component: means a replacement supplemental restraint system component, including, but not limited to, an airbag that displays a mark identical or substantially similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer or a supplier of parts to the manufacturer of a motor vehicle without authorization from that manufacturer or supplier, respectively. See Rhode Island General Laws 31-53-3
  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • Person: means any natural person, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity. See Rhode Island General Laws 31-53-3

(b)  A person who violates subsection (a) of this section commits both a deceptive trade practice and a felony, and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in chapter 13.1 of Title 6 for the deceptive trade practice, and also subject to the penalties set forth in § 31-53-4(c) and/or (d), as appropriate.

History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 123, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 319, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 57, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 60, § 1.