S2575

	2026 -- S 2575
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	LC004987
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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: Senators Bissaillon, Murray, Burke, and Britto
	Date Introduced: February 13, 2026
	Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
	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 recovery house means a residential structure, properly
5	zoned according to a town or city’s zoning ordinance, that provides recovery support services for
6	those people recovering from substance abuse addiction.
7	(b) Except as otherwise provided within the general laws or applicable local zoning
8	ordinances, any law, regulation or ordinance regulating the zoning and use of a residential recovery
9	house:
10	(1) Shall treat a recovery residence as a residential use of property which shall have all the
11	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 applicable to
14	residential uses in similar types of structures in the same zoning district if occupied by a household,
15	as defined in § 45-24-31(37)(ii).
16	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC004987
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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 recovery houses that are not applicable to other residential homes.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC004987
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	LC004987 - Page 2 of 2