Rhode Island § 31-53-4 - The 2010 Automobile Airbag Fraud Prevention Act

§ 31-53-4. Installation or reinstallation of any false airbag — Deceptive trade practices — Criminal liability.

(a) It is a deceptive trade practice, in violation of chapter 13.1 of title 6, “Deceptive Trade Practices,” whenever:

(1) A person installs or reinstalls, as part of a vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system, any object in lieu of an airbag, including a nonfunctional airbag, counterfeit supplemental restraint system component, or any light manipulating system;

(2) A person imports, manufactures, sells, or offers for sale any device with the intent that the device will replace an airbag in any motor vehicle if the person knows, or reasonably should know, that the device supplemental restraint system component or otherwise does not meet federal safety requirements;

(3) A person sells, or offers for sale, any device that, when installed in any motor vehicle, gives the impression that a viable airbag is installed in that vehicle, including any light manipulating system; or

(4) Any person intentionally misrepresents the presence of an airbag when one does not exist.

(b) Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6, entitled “Deceptive Trade Practices,” and the penalties and remedies provided in that chapter shall apply against any individual, corporation, or partnership violating any provision of this chapter.

(c) Any person who violates this section is also guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) per violation, or imprisonment for a period of not more than two (2) years per violation, or both.

(d) A person whose violation of subsection (a) of this section results in serious bodily injury or death shall be imprisoned for a period of not more than ten (10) years or fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or both, per violation.