Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8040: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.)
Status: Signed into law, June 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:
2026 -- H 8040 ======== LC005798 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Edwards, Giraldo, and Cruz Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-24-33.1. Recovery houses. (a) For purposes of this section, a recovery house means a residential structure, properly zoned according to a town or city's zoning ordinance, that provides recovery support services for those people recovering from substance abuse addiction. (b) Except as otherwise provided within the general laws or applicable local zoning ordinances, any law, regulation or ordinance regulating the zoning and use of a residential recovery house: (1) Shall treat a recovery residence as a residential use of property which shall have all the rights and responsibilities afforded to a residential use of property. (2) Shall not subject the recovery residence to any restrictions, prohibitions, or other provisions, including provisions related to the state building or fire codes, that are not applicable to residential uses in similar types of structures in the same zoning district if occupied by a household, as defined in § 45-24-31(37)(ii). …
Sponsors
- June Speakman (D, HD-068) · primary sponsor
- John Edwards (D, HD-070)
- Joshua Giraldo (D, HD-056)
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #523: PASSAGE AS AMENDED (June 11, 2026): 54 yea, 17 nay, passed
- House Seq #522: PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT (June 11, 2026): 56 yea, 11 nay, passed
- House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing: Passage of Sub A (June 3, 2026): 7 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: TOWNS AND CITIES
Common questions
- What is H8040?
- H8040 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.).
- What is the status of H8040?
- Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8040?
- June Speakman (D, HD-068), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8040?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8040Aaa.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.