Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3301: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE -- ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables emergency construction of SAFE Units, expanding temporary housing options and addressing shelter needs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7774: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Amends the state building code and would require that the state adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibit the state building committee from adopting amendments for one to four residential dwelling units until 2030.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits building code amendments for small residential units until 2030, limiting housing development flexibility and potential affordability efforts.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2575: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 2575 establishes new guidelines for local governments in towns and cities regarding how they can restrict residential recovery houses. These facilities are housing designed to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The bill allows municipalities to place specific limitations on where these houses can be located, aiming to balance community concerns with the needs of residents in recovery. By setting clear rules for zoning ordinances, the legislation provides a framework for cities to regulate the placement of such housing without banning it entirely.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory zoning against recovery houses, facilitating housing development and preventing housing discrimination for this specific housing type.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 8040: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits zoning restrictions on recovery houses, facilitating housing development for specific needs without additional barriers, aligning with housing development policy goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8402: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PERMANENT JOINT STUDY COMMISSION ON AGING AND MULTI-SECTOR PLAN ON AGING

This bill creates a permanent joint commission made up of state legislators, agency officials, and community members to guide planning for Rhode Island's aging population. The commission will develop and update a comprehensive multi-sector plan covering housing, transportation, healthcare, and economic security for older adults and people with disabilities. To ensure diverse input, the group includes public members with lived experience, and it must hold regular public meetings while submitting annual progress reports to government leaders. The plan is designed to help different parts of government work together to support aging in place and improve services for seniors across the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a commission to develop a multi-sector plan explicitly including housing for aging and disabled populations, aiming to strengthen housing access.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8215: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT

HB 8215 would allow tenants with disabilities to formally request permission to keep emotional support animals in rental housing under Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act. This directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on emotional support animals and landlords who manage rental properties. The key provision requires landlords to consider such requests without automatically denying them, aligning with fair housing standards. The bill does not guarantee approval but establishes a process for tenants to seek accommodations for their disability-related needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights for disability-related housing accommodations under fair housing law by requiring landlords to consider emotional support animal requests without automatic denial.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7374: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Amends the zoning ordinances to allow the town to restrict occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom in a dwelling, up to a five (5) bedroom unit. Units with more than five (5) bedrooms may be limited to five (5) unrelated persons per unit.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom, limiting shared housing affordability and increasing cost burdens.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2026

HB 8000: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

HB 8000 requires local agencies to provide at least 15 days' written notice to people living in outdoor encampments on public property before removing or relocating them. This applies to homeless individuals and their belongings in temporary shelters, directly affecting those residing in such encampments. Exceptions to the notice requirement include immediate public safety risks (like active construction sites, environmental hazards, or infrastructure repairs). The bill mandates agencies also notify local homelessness outreach services when providing notice, unless one of the five safety exceptions applies. It takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 15-day notice before relocating homeless individuals from encampments, directly protecting vulnerable residents and addressing homelessness through tenant rights safeguards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

Track