Rhode Island S2178: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Creates a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an "adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment.)

What the bill says

From the introduced text, January 16, 2026:

2026 -- S 2178 ======== LC003225 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES Introduced By: Senators Urso, Felag, Patalano, Rogers, Appollonio, Vargas, Paolino, Tikoian, and Dimitri Date Introduced: January 16, 2026 Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 31-28 of the General Laws entitled "Parking Facilities and Privileges" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 31-28-7.4. Motor vehicle plates for persons with disabilities -- Adaptive vehicle license plate. (a) Definitions. As used in the section: (1) "Adaptive vehicle" means a motor vehicle that has been structurally modified or equipped with specialized equipment (such as ramps, lifts, lowered floors, specialized hand controls, or restraint systems) to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment. (2) "Adaptive vehicle license plate" means a special registration plate issued under this section that identifies a vehicle as an adaptive or mobility-modified vehicle. (3) "Qualified individual" means a person who has a permanent mobility impairment certified by a licensed physician or a physical therapist, necessitating the use of an adaptive vehicle for transport. (b) Eligibility requirements. (1) Completed application form from the department of motor vehicles. (2) Medical certification of disability/need for …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lori Urso (D, SD-008) · primary sponsor
• Walter Felag (D, SD-010)
• Todd Patalano (D, SD-026)
• Gordon Rogers (R, SD-021)
• Peter Appollonio (D, SD-029)
• Lammis Vargas (D, SD-028)
• Thomas Paolino (R, SD-017)
• David Tikoian (D, SD-022)
• Andrew Dimitri (D, SD-025)

Latest actions

1. June 19, 2026: Signed by Governor
2. June 16, 2026: Transmitted to Governor
3. June 8, 2026: House passed Sub A in concurrence
4. June 5, 2026: Placed on House Calendar
5. June 4, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence
6. May 29, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
7. May 20, 2026: Referred to House State Government & Elections
8. May 19, 2026: Senate passed Sub A
9. May 15, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
10. May 14, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A

Votes

• House Seq #346: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 8, 2026): 67 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on State Government & Elections: Passage of Sub A in concurrence (June 4, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Seq #187: (May 19, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage of Sub A (May 14, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (May 14, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (March 25, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2178?

S2178 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Creates a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an "adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment.).

What is the status of S2178?

Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).

Who sponsored S2178?

Lori Urso (D, SD-008), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S2178?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2178A.pdf