2026 -- H 8040 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED | |
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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 | |
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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: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 45-24-33.1. Recovery houses. |
4 | (a) For purposes of this section, a NARR-certified recovery residence means a residential |
5 | structure that provides recovery support services for those people recovering from substance use |
6 | addiction and that complies with standards established by the National Alliance for Recovery |
7 | Residences (NARR). |
8 | (b) Except as otherwise provided within the general laws, any law, regulation or ordinance |
9 | regulating the zoning and use of a residential NARR-certified recovery residence: |
10 | (1) Shall treat a NARR-certified recovery residence as a residential use of property which |
11 | shall have all the rights and responsibilities afforded to a residential use of property. |
12 | (2) Shall not subject the recovery residence to any restrictions, prohibitions, or other |
13 | provisions, including provisions related to the state building or fire codes that are not contained in |
14 | the Rhode Island life safety code ยง 26.1.1.1.8.3. At no time shall a recovery residence house under |
15 | this chapter be given the designation of a commercial structure for fire and or building codes. |
16 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC005798/SUB A | |
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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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1 | This act would prohibit any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would |
2 | place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other |
3 | residential homes. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC005798/SUB A | |
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