Homelessness
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1 SB2264   Sen. Mack (D)
 An Act Relating To Military Affairs And Defense -- Emergency Management

Provides for warming center and cooling center alerts to trigger certain procedures municipalities shall follow during extreme heat or cold to help at-risk individuals with resources including, but not limited to, warming and cooling centers.

Cities & Towns;  Military Affairs; 

01/23/2026  Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
03/20/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
03/20/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)
03/26/2026  Committee recommends passage (6-0)

2 SB2621   Sen. Paolino (R)
S2621
H8220
An Act Relating To Human Services -- Homelessness Employment Program

Creates a state-run pilot program in Rhode Island that provides paid, low-barrier employment to individuals experiencing homelessness for community beautification and cleanup projects while connecting participants to supportive services.

Human Services;  Labor;  Public Assistance;  State Affairs; 

02/13/2026  Introduced, referred to Senate Labor and Gaming
3 SB2681   Sen. Murray (D)
S2681
H7803
An Act Relating To Towns And Cities -- Housing -- State-Funded Rental Subsidy Program

Establishes the state-funded rental subsidy program.

Cities & Towns;  Housing;  State Affairs; 

02/27/2026  Introduced, referred to Senate Finance
4 SB2969   Sen. Raptakis (D)
 An Act Relating To Motor And Other Vehicles -- Use Of Crosswalks, Intersections And Safety Zones

Prohibits solicitation of money or other donations while an individual is standing or sitting in a crosswalk, intersection or safety zone.

Criminal Procedure;  Motor Vehicles;  Roads; 

03/04/2026  Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
03/27/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/02/2026)

5 HB7044   Rep. Lombardi (D)
 An Act Relating To Property -- Homeless Bill Of Rights

Creates a commission to establish homeless shelter standards through regulations.

Commissions;  Housing;  Property; 

01/09/2026  Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
02/06/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/11/2026)
02/11/2026  Committee recommended measure be held for further study
6 HB7225   Rep. Lombardi (D)
 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.

Fees;  Housing;  Licenses;  State Affairs; 

01/21/2026  Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
02/06/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/11/2026)
02/11/2026  Committee recommended measure be held for further study
7 HB7286   Rep. Lombardi (D)
 An Act Relating To Property -- Homeless Bill Of Rights

Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights law to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and includes the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.

Health & Safety;  Housing;  Property; 

01/23/2026  Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
02/25/2026  Withdrawn at sponsor's request
8 HB7803   Rep. Slater (D)
H7803
S2681
An Act Relating To Towns And Cities -- Housing -- State-Funded Rental Subsidy Program

Establishes the state-funded rental subsidy program.

Cities & Towns;  Housing;  State Affairs; 

02/12/2026  Introduced, referred to House Finance
9 HB7987   Rep. Tanzi (D)
 An Act Relating To Military Affairs And Defense -- Emergency Management

Creates an emergency action plan related to the operation of warming and cooling centers during periods of extreme weather and establishes a statewide notification system with the National Weather Service initiating warming/cooling center alerts.

Military Affairs; 

02/27/2026  Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
10 HB8000   Rep. Shekarchi (D)
 An Act Relating To Property -- Homeless Bill Of Rights

Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment can be removed or relocated.

Housing;  Property; 

02/27/2026  Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
02/27/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/05/2026)
03/05/2026  Committee recommended measure be held for further study
11 HB8001   Rep. Shekarchi (D)
 An Act Relating To Health And Safety -- State Building Code -- Administration And Enforcement

Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.

Building Code;  Cities & Towns;  Construction;  Fire Code;  Health & Safety;  Housing; 

02/27/2026  Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
02/27/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/05/2026)
03/05/2026  Committee recommended measure be held for further study
12 HB8220   Rep. Read (D)
H8220
S2621
An Act Relating To Human Services -- Homelessness Employment Program

Creates a state-run pilot program in Rhode Island that provides paid, low-barrier employment to individuals experiencing homelessness for community beautification and cleanup projects while connecting participants to supportive services.

Human Services; 

03/03/2026  Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
03/27/2026  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/31/2026)

13 HR8262   Rep. Tanzi (D)
 RES. #143 of 2026: House Resolution Proclaiming March 10th, 2026, To Be "Homeless Service Provider Day" In The State Of Rhode Island

Resolutions; 

03/10/2026  House read and passed