Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8000: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS (Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment c
Status: In committee, May 22, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS (Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment can be removed or relocated.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:
2026 -- H 8000 ======== LC005661 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Speakman, Spears, Voas, DeSimone, Biah, Noret, and O'Brien Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 34-37.1 of the General Laws entitled "Homeless Bill of Rights" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 34-37.1-7. Encampments. (a) Prior to the forcible removal or relocation of encampments on public property, the removing agency shall provide at least fifteen (15) days written notice to the occupants stating the timeframe to vacate the encampment, and shall provide a copy of such notice to local homelessness outreach agencies of the same, unless: (1) Such encampments are located within a state or federal right of way and there is an immediate public safety need for the removal of the encampment; or (2) Such encampments are located in or directly adjacent to an active construction site; or (3) The encampment interferes with scheduled public infrastructure repairs, maintenance or inspections; or (4) The encampment is on or near an area which has environmental hazards; or (5) There is otherwise an immediate public safety or health concern regarding the location of the …
Sponsors
- Joseph Shekarchi, K. (D, HD-023) · primary sponsor
- June Speakman (D, HD-068)
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036)
- Brandon Voas (D)
- DeSimone, Anthony (D, HD-005)
- Nathan Biah (D)
- Thomas Noret (D, HD-025)
- William O'Brien (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
- : House passed Sub A
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee postponed at request of sponsor
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #164: PASSAGE (May 5, 2026): 56 yea, 13 nay, passed
- House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing: Passage of Sub A (April 29, 2026): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: PROPERTY
Common questions
- What is H8000?
- H8000 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS (Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment c.
- What does H8000 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS (Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment can be removed or relocated.)
- What is the status of H8000?
- In committee as of May 22, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government (May 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8000?
- Joseph Shekarchi, K. (D, HD-023), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8000?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8000A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.