Makes it unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle while knowingly having liquor in any part of the vehicle, except when accompanied by another adult who is 21 years of age or older and related to the operator.

Rhode Island Senate Bill Summary

This bill would make it illegal for anyone under 21 years old to drive a vehicle that has any alcohol inside it, even if the alcohol is sealed or untouched. Currently, Rhode Island law prohibits underage drivers from drinking alcohol while driving, but this bill goes a step further by restricting them from having alcohol present in the vehicle at all while they are behind the wheel.

There is one exception to this rule: an underage driver would be allowed to have alcohol in the vehicle if they are accompanied by a related adult who is 21 or older — for example, a parent or older sibling. This exception is intended to allow situations where a young driver might be transporting alcohol on behalf of a family member who is legally allowed to have it.

This bill would primarily affect Rhode Islanders between the ages of 16 and 20 who have a driver's license. For example, a 19-year-old driving alone could face legal consequences simply for having a sealed bottle of alcohol in their car — even if they didn't purchase it and weren't drinking it. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review and consideration.