2026 -- H 8040 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC005798/SUB A

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Edwards, Giraldo, and Cruz

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     45-24-33.1. NARR-certified recovery residences.

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     (a) For purposes of this section, a NARR-certified recovery residence means a residential

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structure, properly zoned according to a town or city’s zoning ordinance, that provides recovery

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support services for those people recovering from substance abuse addiction and that complies with

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standards established by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).

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     (b) Except as otherwise provided within the general laws or applicable local zoning

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ordinances, any law, regulation or ordinance regulating the zoning and use of a residential NARR-

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certified recovery residence:

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     (1) Shall treat a NARR-certified recovery residence as a residential use of property which

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shall have all the rights and responsibilities afforded to a residential use of property.

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     (2) Shall not subject the NARR-certified recovery residence to any restrictions,

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prohibitions, or other provisions, including provisions related to the state building or fire codes,

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that are not applicable to residential uses in similar types of structures in the same zoning district

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if occupied by a household, as defined in § 45-24-31(37)(ii).

 

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

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     This act would prohibit any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would

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place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other

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residential homes.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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