Chapter 154
2024 -- H 7867 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 06/17/2024

A N   A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- CONDOMINIUM LAW

Introduced By: Representative Brandon T. Voas

Date Introduced: March 04, 2024

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Sections 34-36.1-1.02 and 34-36.1-3.06 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-
36.1 entitled "Condominium Law" are hereby amended to read as follows:
     34-36.1-1.02. Applicability.
     (a)(1) This chapter applies to all condominiums created within this state after July 1, 1982,
except that any condominium created within this state prior to July 1, 1982, may voluntarily accept
the provisions of this chapter in lieu of the provisions under which it was originally organized.
Acceptance shall be evidenced by an agreement in writing executed by and in behalf of the
condominium association and by all of the owners of all of the individual condominium units within
the condominium, in which agreement it is clearly stated that they all accept the provisions of this
chapter in lieu of those in the statute under which the condominium was organized and wish to be
governed in the future by the provisions of this chapter. The agreement shall be recorded in the
land evidence records of each and every town or city where all or any part of the land in the
condominium concerned may be located and shall become effective when first so recorded. The
acceptance shall only apply to the governance of the condominium concerned as to all matters
which are prospective or executory in nature; and nothing herein shall be deemed to abrogate,
amend, limit, effect, or impair the continued effectiveness, legality, or validity of all actions
lawfully taken by or in behalf of the condominium prior to the effective date of the acceptance,
including, but without limitation, the condominium declaration and all amendments thereto, the by-
laws of the condominium and/or of its association, all deeds, mortgages, leases, and any further
documents affecting the titles or rights of unit owners, or of the condominium or the prior lawful
acts or deeds of any kind, of the condominium association, its officers, directors, or members.
     (2) Sections 34-36.1-1.05 (separate titles and taxation), 34-36.1-1.06 (applicability of local
ordinances, regulations, and building codes), 34-36.1-1.07 (eminent domain), 34-36.1-2.03
(construction and validity of declaration and bylaws), 34-36.1-2.04 (description of units), 34-36.1-
3.02(a)(1) — (6) and (11) — (17) (powers of unit owners’ association), 34-36.1-3.06(c) through
(d) (bylaws), 34-36.1-3.11 (tort and contract liability), 34-36.1-3.16 (lien for assessments), 34-36.1-
3.18 (association records), 34-36.1-4.09 (resale of units), and 34-36.1-4.17 (effect of violation on
rights of action; attorney’s fees), § 34-36.1-3.20 (enforcement of declaration, bylaws and rules),
and 34-36.1-1.03 (definitions), to the extent necessary in construing any of those sections, apply to
all condominiums created in this state before July 1, 1982; but those sections apply only with
respect to events and circumstances occurring after July 1, 1982, and do not invalidate existing
provisions of the declaration, bylaws, plats, or plans of those condominiums.
     (3) A condominium created as an additional phase by amendment of a condominium
created prior to July 1, 1982, if the original declaration contemplated the amendment, shall be
deemed to be a condominium created prior to July 1, 1982; provided, however, the provisions of
subdivision (a)(2) shall apply as defined therein.
     (4) Section 34-36.1-3.21 (foreclosure of condominium lien) applies, with respect to all
condominiums created in this state prior to June 19, 1991, only with respect to events and
circumstances occurring after June 18, 1991, does not invalidate existing provisions of the
declarations, bylaws, plats, or plans of those condominiums, and applies in all respects to all
condominiums created in this state after June 18, 1991.
     (b) The provisions of the Condominium Ownership Act, chapter 36 of this title, do not
apply to condominiums created after July 1, 1982, and do not invalidate any amendment to the
declaration, bylaws, plats, and plans of any condominium created before July 1, 1982, if the
amendment would be permitted by this chapter. The amendment must be adopted in conformity
with the procedures and requirements specified by those instruments and by chapter 36 of this title.
If the amendment grants to any person any rights, powers, or privileges permitted by this chapter,
all correlative obligations, liabilities, and restrictions in this chapter also apply to that person.
     (c) This chapter does not apply to condominiums or units located outside this state, but the
public offering statement provisions (§§ 34-36.1-4.02 — 34-36.1-4.07) apply to all contracts for
the disposition thereof signed in this state by any party unless exempt under § 34-36.1-4.01(b).
     34-36.1-3.06. Bylaws.
     (a) The bylaws of the association must provide for:
     (1) The number of members of the executive board and the titles of the officers of the
association;
     (2) Election by the executive board of a president, treasurer, secretary, and any other
officers of the association the bylaws specify;
     (3) The qualifications, powers and duties, terms of office, and manner of electing and
removing executive board members and officers and filling vacancies;
     (4) Which, if any, of its powers the executive board or officers may delegate to other
persons or to a managing agent;
     (5) Which of its officers may prepare, execute, certify, and record amendments to the
declaration on behalf of the association; and
     (6) The method of amending the bylaws.
     (b) Subject to the provisions of the declaration, the bylaws may provide for any other
matters the association deems necessary and appropriate.
     (c) The bylaws of the association and rules referenced in the declaration or bylaws, and
any amendments thereof, shall be recorded in the municipal land evidence records in every
municipality in which any portion of the condominium is located.
     (d) Bylaws and rules recorded subsequent to the recording of the declaration shall be
certified by two (2) members of the executive board, unless a greater certification is required by
the declaration or bylaws.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005385/SUB A
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