Title 23
Health and Safety
Chapter 27.3
State Building Code
Article 3
Miscellaneous Provisions
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-702
§ 23-27.3-702. Gender inclusive restroom act.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any single-user toilet facility in a public building or place of public accommodation that exists or is constructed on or after January 1, 2023, shall be made available for use by persons of any gender, and designated for use by not more than one occupant at a time or for family or assisted use. A single-user toilet facility may be identified by a sign; provided, that the sign marks the facility as a restroom and does not indicate one specific gender.
(b) All new construction of state and municipal buildings opened to the public commenced after July 1, 2021, and all renovations and replacements of a value in excess of fifty percent (50%) of existing public state and municipal buildings open to the public commenced after January 1, 2022, shall provide for a single-user toilet facility available for use by persons of any gender.
(c) A municipality may apply to the local building official for a waiver of this provision in the case of unreasonable hardship.
(d) During any inspection of a public building or a place of public accommodation by an inspector, building official, or other local official responsible for code enforcement, the inspector or official may inspect for compliance with this section.
(e) The building codes standard committee shall adopt and promulgate all rules and regulations required to carry out the purpose of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 113, § 1, effective July 2, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 114, § 1, effective July 2, 2021.