2026 -- H 8020

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LC005761

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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 Casey, Phillips, and J. Brien

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-111.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State

Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-27.3-111.2. Inspection.

     (a) The building official shall make all required inspections as specified in the provisions

of this code and the building official shall conduct the inspections from time to time during and

upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit; and the building

official shall maintain a record of all the examinations and inspections and of all violations of this

code. In conjunction with specific construction projects, the building official may designate specific

inspection points in the course of construction which require the contractor or builder to give the

building official twenty-four (24) hours notice prior to the time when the inspections are required

to be performed. The building official shall make the inspection within forty-eight (48) hours after

the notification; weekend days and holidays are not included in the forty-eight (48) hours. The

building official, in the building official’s discretion, may conduct “virtual inspections”, or inspect

photographic evidence, to review completion of work for which the building official has issued a

permit. For the purposes of this section “virtual inspections” involve remote assessments of

properties or sites using video technology, avoiding on-site presence by inspectors.

     (b) If the building official fails to perform an inspection within the time frame set forth in

this section, the contractor or builder may hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state

inspector. The building official shall accept reports of such inspections. For the purposes of this

section, a qualified third-party inspector shall mean an individual certified in accordance with the

provisions of § 23-27.3-107.6 or any professional authorized by the provisions of § 23-27.3-

108.1.4. In order to hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state inspector, the contractor or

builder shall notify the building official via email of the intent to hire a qualified third-party

inspector or the state inspector to perform the inspection at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the

hire. If the state inspector performs the inspection, the salary and operating expenses for services

provided shall be reimbursed to the state by the city or town receiving the services and shall be

deposited as general revenues.

     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

***

     This act would allow for building inspectors to conduct “virtual inspections” or utilize

photographic evidence, at the building official’s discretion, from time to time during and upon

completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005761

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