2026 -- H 8021

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LC004864

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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 -- RHODE ISLAND

INCLUSIVE HOME DESIGN ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Tanzi, Handy, Cruz, Morales, Potter, Speakman,
and Spears

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-27.3 of the General Laws entitled "State Building Code" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following article:

ARTICLE 4

RHODE ISLAND INCLUSIVE HOME DESIGN ACT

     § 23-27.3-800. Short title.

     This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Inclusive Home Design

Act.”

     § 23-27.3-801. Definitions.

     As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings, except where

the context clearly indicates otherwise:

     (1) "Article" means the Rhode Island inclusive home design act.

     (2) "American National Standards Institute (ANSI)" means the organization that facilitates

the development of American National Standards through the accreditation of the procedures of

standards developing organizations and approves their documents as American National Standards

(ANS). These documents provide technical guidelines on how to make residences accessible to

people with disabilities to varying degrees. Designers and builders use ANSI standards to

demonstrate compliance with industry best practices. Codes like the International Building Code

(IBC) reference ANSI standards.

     (3) “Covered dwelling unit” is defined by §§ 23-27.3-802 and 23-27.3-803 of this article;

     (4) "International Building Code (IBC)" means a comprehensive regulatory building code

that is legally enforceable standards adopted by jurisdictions. The IBC applies to general building

construction and major renovations, setting safety and welfare requirements.

     § 23-27.3-802. Visitability requirement.

     (a) All new single-family construction, townhouse construction, and multi-family

construction which does not include an elevator as part of its overall design, permitted after July 1,

2027, shall include no fewer than one level that complies with the Standards for Type C (Visitable)

Units of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI') Standards for Accessible and Usable

Buildings and Facilities (section 1105 of ICC ANSI A117.1-2017). Any updates to the ANSI

Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units shall be applied to this section upon adoption by the building

code standards committee.

     (b) All new multifamily construction which does include an elevator as part of its overall

design, permitted after July 1, 2027, shall provide that all units comply with the Standards for Type

C (Visitable) Units of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards for Accessible

and Usable Buildings and Facilities (section 1105 of ICC ANSI A117.1-2017). Any updates to the

ANSI Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units shall be applied to this section upon adoption by the

building code standards committee.

     (c) This requirement does not apply to manufactured housing, adaptive re-use within the

existing building envelope, or redevelopment of existing buildings.

     § 23-27.3-803. Basic adaptability requirement.

     (a) All new multi-family construction with two (2) or more units, permitted after July 1,

2027, shall include no fewer than one level that complies with the Standards for Type B (basic

adaptability) Units of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards for Accessible

and Usable Buildings and Facilities (section 1105 of ICC ANSI A117.1-2017). Any updates to the

ANSI Standards for Type B (basic adaptability) Units shall be applied to this section upon adoption

by the building code standards committee.

     (b) This requirement does not apply to manufactured housing, adaptive re-use within the

existing building envelope, or redevelopment of existing buildings.

     § 23-27.3-804. Implementation and enforcement.

     (a) In the instance that a covered dwelling unit subject to the provisions outlined by this

article, cannot comply with its requirements, in whole or in part, the aggrieved party may make an

appeal in accordance with § 23-27.3-127.1(b)(1).

     (b) Local permitting authorities shall not issue a build permit for any covered dwelling

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units that do not comply with the applicable standards after July 1, 2027, unless the development

has received a variance and the proposed design is consistent with that variance.

     (c) Local permitting authorities shall not issue a certificate of occupancy on any covered

units that do not comply with the applicable standards which were permitted after July 1, 2027,

unless the development has received a variance and the completed units are consistent with the

requirements of that variance.

     (d) The standards set forth in §§ 23-27.3-802 and 23-27.3-803 are intended to supplement

and not replace other accessibility requirements. Where specific requirements in this article differ

from or conflict with other state or federal accessibility requirements, the most stringent required

accessible standard applies.

     § 23-27.3-805. Disclaimer of preemptive effect.

     Nothing in this article shall limit any right, procedure, or remedy available under the

Constitution of the United States, the Rhode Island Constitution, or any other chapter of the general

laws.

     § 23-27.3-806. Severability.

     If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is

held invalid, the remaining provisions of this article and the application of those provisions to other

persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

     SECTION 3. 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 -- RHODE ISLAND

INCLUSIVE HOME DESIGN ACT

***

     This article would be known as the Rhode Island Inclusive Home Design Act. The act

would address any single-family construction, townhouse construction, and multi-family

construction complying with the Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units of the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (section

1105 of ICC ANSI A117.1-2017). The act would also require that any updates to the ANSI

Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units be applied upon adoption by the building code standards

committee.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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