Rhode Island H8001: 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.)

What the bill says

A resolution, may suspend application and compliance with all planning and zoning procedures and the procedures set forth in §§ 45-24-47 through 45-24-55 and local building approval procedures in order to allow the construction of SAFE Units, and their accessory units, which comply with the provisions of § 23-27.3-101.5. (b) Such a declaration of an emergency shall only be for purposes of allowing for the construction and temporary occupancy of SAFE Units during periods of severe weather or during the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. (c) Such a declaration of emergency shall only b.

From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:

a resolution, may suspend application and compliance with all planning and zoning procedures and the procedures set forth in §§ 45-24-47 through 45-24-55 and local building approval procedures in order to allow the construction of SAFE Units, and their accessory units, which comply with the provisions of § 23-27.3-101.5. (b) Such a declaration of an emergency shall only be for purposes of allowing for the construction and temporary occupancy of SAFE Units during periods of severe weather or during the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. (c) Such a declaration of emergency shall only be valid for thirty (30) days, with the right to renew the declaration, by vote of the municipal council, for another thirty (30) day period. The total period for the emergency declaration shall not exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days per year. (d) Upon a declaration of an emergency pursuant to this section, the mayor, town administrator, or other equivalent chief executive officer of the municipality shall, within thirty (30) days of the declaration, and within every sixty days (60) thereafter, file a report with the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate, with a copy to the municipal council and the secretary of housing, providing information on the nature and extent of the emergency, the actions taken by …