Rhode Island Senate to Hear Controversial Auto Body Bills

June 5, 2014—The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Judiciary will hear a series of controversial bills impacting the auto body and insurance industries Thursday.

Rhode Island newspaper, The Valley Breeze, reported Tuesday that there are four bills that will be heard:

• One prohibiting insurance carriers from requiring the use of used or remanufactured airbags and/or suspension parts
• One creating two separate  license classifications and labor rate surveys for shops facilities, allowing for differing pay for different shops
• One not allowing insurers to increase rates without a hearing
• And one amending the definition of  “aftermarket part” to mean all motor vehicle replacement parts.

The Auto Body Association of Rhode Island supports the legislation, The Valley Breeze reported.

The Property Casualty Insurers Association has released statements over the past several months opposing all four pieces of legislation and released a 6-page report that outlines various ways the auto body industy has seen increased costs due to legislation, including laws backed by ABARI in the past.