2026 -- H 8000 SUBSTITUTE A | |
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LC005661/SUB A/2 | |
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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 PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Speakman, Spears, Voas, DeSimone, Biah, | |
Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 34-37.1 of the General Laws entitled "Homeless Bill of Rights" is |
2 | hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 34-37.1-7. Encampments. |
4 | (a) Prior to the forcible removal of encampments on public property, the removing agency |
5 | shall provide at least twenty (20) days written notice to the occupants stating the timeframe to |
6 | vacate the encampment, which shall be done by the posting of the notice on the encampment itself, |
7 | and shall provide a copy of such notice to the executive office of housing ("EOH") and the Regional |
8 | Access Points identified and listed by the EOH, unless: |
9 | (1) Such encampments are located within a state or federal right of way and there is an |
10 | immediate public safety need for the removal of the encampment; or |
11 | (2) Such encampments are located in or directly adjacent to an active construction site; or |
12 | (3) The encampment interferes with scheduled public infrastructure repairs, maintenance |
13 | or inspections; or |
14 | (4) The encampment is on or near an area which has environmental hazards; or |
15 | (5) There is otherwise an immediate and documented public safety or health concern |
16 | regarding the location of the encampment. |
17 | (b) An encampment is defined as a temporary shelter erected outdoors in public spaces not |
18 | meant for human habitation which may be inhabited by an individual or individuals, and such term |
19 | refers to both individuals and their respective personal belongings. |
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1 | (c) The movement of an encampment by the occupants to another area on the same lot, or |
2 | a contiguous lot after a written notice is given to that same encampment in subsection (a) of this |
3 | section shall not require a new notice or new notice period prior to removal. |
4 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2026. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS | |
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1 | This act would provide certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment |
2 | can be removed or relocated. |
3 | This act would take effect on October 1, 2026. |
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