2026 -- H 7225

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LC003771

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMERGENCY SHELTERS

     Introduced By: Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, Ajello, Potter, Cruz, and Stewart

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 167.3

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

     42-167.3-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the term:

     (1) "Emergency shelter" means a facility with overnight sleeping accommodations, the

primary purpose of which is to provide temporary shelter for the homeless in general or for specific

populations of the homeless.

     (2) "Executive office of housing" or "office" means the executive office of housing

established pursuant to the provisions of § 42-167-1.

     (3) “Secretary” means the secretary of housing appointed pursuant to § 42-167-4.

     42-167.3-2. Licensing and exemption.

     (a) The executive office of housing shall establish an application for an emergency shelter

license no later than January 1, 2027. Upon receipt of an application for a license, the licensing

agency shall issue a license if the applicant meets the requirements established pursuant to this

chapter. A license issued under the provisions of this section shall be the property of the state and

loaned to the licensee, and it shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. Each

license shall be issued only for the premises and persons named in the application, and shall not be

transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the secretary. No fee shall be charged

for the license.

     (b) Any emergency shelter established due to a natural disaster, impending dangerous

storm, or other event, including, but not limited to, fires, hurricanes or blizzards, shall be exempt

from this chapter.

     42-167.3-3. Minimum shelter standards.

     (a) All emergency shelters that are required to be licensed shall:

     (1) Provide a safe place for a person to temporarily reside. Safety of residents and staff

shall be the shelters’ top priority;

     (2) Make drinking water available to residents and proper bathroom facilities as required

by the state building code in chapter 27.3 of title 23;

     (3) Develop a written policy regarding the privacy and confidentiality of its residents as

required by state and federal law; and

     (4) Establish an office approved procedure for the safe transfer of a person seeking shelter

or having been sheltered at the licensed premises, who can no longer reside in the shelter at the

licensed premises in question. The established procedure shall be posted in a conspicuous place on

the licensed premises that is in an area accessed frequently by residents.

     (b) The executive office of housing shall promulgate additional minimum shelter standards

that shall apply to emergency shelters that are at least partially funded by the state, no later than

December 1, 2027.

     42-167.3-4. Grievance procedure.

     The office shall promulgate a grievance procedure designed to address complaints of

persons who have resided or attempted to reside in any emergency shelter within this state.

Grievance procedures shall be posted in the licensed premises in a conspicuous place accessed

frequently by residents.

     42-167.3-5. Fees prohibited.

     Any fees or payments of money for the purposes of providing shelter and personal care

items including, but not limited to, linens, toiletries and diapers shall be prohibited unless otherwise

allowable by state or federal law. Resident funds provided to a shelter for the purposes of teaching

financial literacy or creating a "savings account" are permitted if the funds are returned to the

resident at the appropriate time or upon request.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMERGENCY SHELTERS

***

     This act would establish rules and procedures for licensing emergency shelters for

homeless persons, including setting minimum standards and prohibiting the charging of fees to the

residents.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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