2026 -- H 8018

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LC005558

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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Caldwell, Dawson, Spears, O'Brien, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-120.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State

Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-27.3-120.1. New buildings.

     (a) No building or structure hereafter erected shall be used or occupied in whole or in part

until a certificate of use and occupancy shall have been issued by the building official. The

certificate shall not be issued until all work has been completed in accordance with the provisions

of this code, the Fire Safety Code (chapters 28.1 — 28.39 of this title), of all approved permits, and

of all applicable codes for which a permit is required, except as provided in § 23-27.3-120.4. In

addition, the certificate shall not be issued for any property serviced by a private well until the

property owner has submitted documentation to the building official which demonstrates

compliance with the drinking water testing requirements and the drinking water standard for

coliform bacteria, fluoride, lead, nitrate and nitrite for private wells established by the director of

health. A city or town may require additional testing and compliance with quality standards

established pursuant to § 23-1-5.3(6).

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, approval of new residential

construction shall require at a minimum, two (2) means of egress consisting of standard exterior

doors.

     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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

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     This act would require that any new residential construction shall have a minimum of two

means of egress consisting of standard exterior doors.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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