AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMERGENCY SHELTERS (Establishes rules and procedures for licensing emergency shelters for homeless persons, including setting minimum standards and prohibiting the charging of fees to the residents.)

H7225

2026 -- H 7225
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LC003771
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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMERGENCY SHELTERS

Introduced By:
Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, Ajello, Potter, Cruz, and Stewart

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND
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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 167.3
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EMERGENCY SHELTERS
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42-167.3-1. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter, the term:
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(1) "Emergency shelter" means a facility with overnight sleeping accommodations, the
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primary purpose of which is to provide temporary shelter for the homeless in general or for specific
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populations of the homeless.
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(2) "Executive office of housing" or "office" means the executive office of housing
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established pursuant to the provisions of § 42-167-1.
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(3) “Secretary” means the secretary of housing appointed pursuant to § 42-167-4.
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42-167.3-2. Licensing and exemption.
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(a) The executive office of housing shall establish an application for an emergency shelter
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license no later than January 1, 2027. Upon receipt of an application for a license, the licensing
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agency shall issue a license if the applicant meets the requirements established pursuant to this
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chapter. A license issued under the provisions of this section shall be the property of the state and
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loaned to the licensee, and it shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. Each
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license shall be issued only for the premises and persons named in the application, and shall not be

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transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the secretary. No fee shall be charged
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for the license.
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(b) Any emergency shelter established due to a natural disaster, impending dangerous
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storm, or other event, including, but not limited to, fires, hurricanes or blizzards, shall be exempt
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from this chapter.
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42-167.3-3. Minimum shelter standards.
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(a) All emergency shelters that are required to be licensed shall:
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(1) Provide a safe place for a person to temporarily reside. Safety of residents and staff
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shall be the shelters’ top priority;
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(2) Make drinking water available to residents and proper bathroom facilities as required
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by the state building code in chapter 27.3 of title 23;
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(3) Develop a written policy regarding the privacy and confidentiality of its residents as
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required by state and federal law; and
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(4) Establish an office approved procedure for the safe transfer of a person seeking shelter
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or having been sheltered at the licensed premises, who can no longer reside in the shelter at the
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licensed premises in question. The established procedure shall be posted in a conspicuous place on
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the licensed premises that is in an area accessed frequently by residents.
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(b) The executive office of housing shall promulgate additional minimum shelter standards
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that shall apply to emergency shelters that are at least partially funded by the state, no later than
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December 1, 2027.
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42-167.3-4. Grievance procedure.
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The office shall promulgate a grievance procedure designed to address complaints of
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persons who have resided or attempted to reside in any emergency shelter within this state.
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Grievance procedures shall be posted in the licensed premises in a conspicuous place accessed
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frequently by residents.
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42-167.3-5. Fees prohibited.
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Any fees or payments of money for the purposes of providing shelter and personal care
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items including, but not limited to, linens, toiletries and diapers shall be prohibited unless otherwise
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allowable by state or federal law. Resident funds provided to a shelter for the purposes of teaching
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financial literacy or creating a "savings account" are permitted if the funds are returned to the
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resident at the appropriate time or upon request.

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMERGENCY SHELTERS
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This act would establish rules and procedures for licensing emergency shelters for
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homeless persons, including setting minimum standards and prohibiting the charging of fees to the
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residents.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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