Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S3298 2026 -- S 3298 ======== LC006398 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS Introduced By: Senators Mack, and Bissaillon Date Introduced: May 15, 2026 Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 34-37.1 of the General Laws entitled Homeless Bill of Rights is 2 hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 34-37.1-7. Encampments. 4 (a) Prior to the forcible removal of encampments on public property, the removing agency 5 shall provide at least twenty (20) days written notice to the occupants stating the timeframe to 6 vacate the encampment, which shall be done by the posting of the notice on the encampment itself, 7 and shall provide a copy of such notice to the executive office of housing ( EOH ) and the Regional 8 Access Points identified and listed by the EOH, unless: 9 (1) Such encampments are located within a state or federal right of way and there is an 10 immediate public safety need for the removal of the encampment; or 11 (2) Such encampments are located in or directly adjacent to an active construction site; or 12 (3) The encampment interferes with scheduled public infrastructure repairs, maintenance 13 or inspections; or 14 (4) The encampment is on or near an area which has environmental hazards; or 15 (5) There is otherwise an immediate and documented public safety or health concern 16 regarding the location of the encampment. 17 (b) An encampment is defined as a temporary shelter erected outdoors in public spaces not 18 meant for human habitation which may be inhabited by an individual or individuals, and such term 19 refers to both individuals and their respective personal belongings. 1 (c) The movement of an encampment by the occupants to another area on the same lot, or 2 a contiguous lot after a written notice is given to that same encampment in subsection (a) of this 3 section shall not require a new notice or new notice period prior to removal. 4 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2026. ======== LC006398 ======== LC006398 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS *** 1 This act would provide certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment 2 can be removed or relocated. 3 This act would take effect on October 1, 2026. ======== LC006398 ======== LC006398 - Page 3 of 3
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