Bill Sponsors
J. Lombardi, Hull, Tanzi, Ajello, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter, Stewart, Alzate, and Felix
Committee
House Municipal Government & Housing
Summary
Select
This legislation amends the "Homeless Bill of Rights" by adding a section dedicated to homeless shelter standards. It outlines a series of findings stating that shelters must be accessible to all individuals regardless of background, immigration status, or gender identity, and should operate without charging fees. The bill mandates the creation of an eleven-member committee, appointed by the Housing Resources Commission, to draft specific regulations regarding shelter operations, health and safety, and resident rights. Furthermore, it prohibits shelters from denying access based on community notification requirements unless specifically required by statute.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Codifies the right to shelter regardless of immigration status, gender identity, or criminal background, ensuring that the most marginalized populations receive care without discrimination.
- Mandates that shelters operate without charging fees and must respect the self-identified gender of residents, promoting financial accessibility and social dignity.
- Empowers the homeless community by requiring their direct participation in the committee responsible for drafting shelter regulations, ensuring their voices and lived experiences shape policy.
Cons for Progressives
- While the bill outlines findings, it relies on a committee to draft actual regulations, which could delay the immediate implementation of enforceable standards and protections for shelter residents.
- The provision preventing the denial of access based on community notification requirements could raise concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations, such as women and children fleeing domestic violence, within mixed shelters.
- The bill does not explicitly appropriate new funding to help shelters meet these higher standards of care, potentially straining under-resourced non-profits.
Pros for Conservatives
- Explicitly states that shelter residents are capable of moving toward self-reliance and that staff should assist them in achieving goals, aligning with the principle of personal responsibility.
- Mandates the utilization of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database, ensuring better data collection and tracking of the homeless population to monitor system efficiency.
- Creates a structured committee to standardize regulations, potentially reducing chaotic or disparate operating procedures among various service providers.
Cons for Conservatives
- Explicitly mandates shelter services regardless of immigration status, potentially using state resources to support individuals present in the country illegally.
- Prohibits denying access based on community notification requirements, effectively mandating that shelters house registered sex offenders alongside other vulnerable citizens.
- Imposes new government regulations and oversight on private and potentially religious shelter providers, infringing on their operational autonomy and increasing administrative burdens.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Homeless individuals
- Homeless shelter providers
- Housing Resources Commission
- Registered sex offenders
- Victims of domestic violence
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
Bill Text
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. Homeless shelter standard.
(a) Findings. The general assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) That all homeless persons have the right to homeless shelter services, regardless of their political or religious beliefs, immigration status, former geographic location of residence, ethno- cultural background, (dis)ability, gender identity, criminal background, and/or sexual orientation;
(2) That no shelter should charge a fee nor expect and/or require compensation from clients/residents for any services rendered;
(3) That homeless shelters should provide an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all shelter residents, and provide services in a non-judgmental manner;
(4) That shelter residents are capable of moving toward increasing levels of self-reliance and self-determination. Shelter staff should work with residents to assist them in achieving their goals;
(5) That homeless shelters should be sensitive to the ethno-specific and linguistic needs of residents;
(6) That service providers need to accept gender identity, as defined by the individual, rather than by the perception of staff and/or other residents;
(7) That protecting the privacy and confidentiality of shelter residents and their personal information is of the utmost importance;
(8) That all people staying in homeless shelters should have access to safe and nutritious food;
(9) That the health and safety of shelter residents, volunteers, and staff, shall be of the highest importance in each shelter;
(10) That issuing service restrictions in the shelter system, must be done only as a last resort and in the most serious cases;
(11) That everyone is entitled to shelter service whether or not they use controlled substances and service policies, should not be based on controlled substance use alone, except for those shelters operating on an abstinence or recovery model basis;
(12) That shelter residents should be involved in service provision, program planning, development and evaluation, and policy development;
(13) That homeless shelters, that include children and youth, provide support and activities and ensure that the school-related recreation and treatment needs of resident children are met on site, through community based services;
(14) That homeless shelters should afford an opportunity for children and youth with developmental and/or physical disabilities, to develop to their full potential within an environment where they can interact and socialize with other children;
(15) That shelters are part of a larger network of homeless services and agencies and collaboration within this network is important to ensure effective and coordinated services;
(16) That notification of shelter closure (either emergency or permanent shelter) should be done as soon as the provider is aware of the potential closure and posted in a common area. The provider should notify their residents, and the office of housing and community development, within the division of planning of the department of administration; and
(17) That all shelters should utilize the Rhode Island homeless management information system (HMIS) database, and make entries in a timely manner.
(b) The chair of the Rhode Island housing resources commission, shall appoint an eleven (11) member committee to draft recommended regulations for homeless shelters and provide recommendations, related to the operation of homeless shelters for consideration by the commission in preparation of the state's plan for housing, pursuant to the provisions of § 42-128- 8. The members shall be appointed as follows:
(1) One homeless or formerly homeless person;
(2) Two (2) representatives of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project;
(3) One representative of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless; LC003764 - Page 2 of 4
(4) Two (2) homeless shelter providers operating a shelter for individuals;
(5) Two (2) homeless shelter providers operating a shelter for families;
(6) One representative from the Rhode Island office of housing and community development;
(7) One domestic violence shelter provider; and
(8) One resident or former resident of a domestic violence shelter.
(c) The committee shall elect a chair or co-chairs from among their membership.
(d)(1) The committee shall define the characteristics of a homeless shelter, that shall be subject to the regulations and standards established by this section.
(2) The committee shall be charged with making recommendations for the formulation of regulations and standards to address the following topics and areas of concern:
(i) Baseline organizational standards that any agency operating a homeless shelter must meet;
(ii) Access to shelter guidelines, including admission and discharge, bed registration, substance use, and service restrictions;
(iii) Residents' rights and responsibilities, including resident input, complaints and appeals, and grievance procedures;
(iv) Program standards, including the provision of essential services, counseling supports, daytime access, confidentiality, sharing of resident information, safeguarding resident files, and staff code of conduct;
(v) Health and safety standards, including basic health and safety protocols, the safeguard of, and access to, resident medication, a policy on weapons, and requirements for staff training on health and safety issues; and
(vi) Emergency and winter shelter standards, including the definition of inclement weather events, in all seasons, that trigger requirements for homeless shelters to stay open for the protection of residents.
(3) Except to the extent specifically required by statute, no shelter regulation shall deny access to, or otherwise impose additional restrictions upon, individuals due to their being subject to community notification requirements, nor shall any state or municipal agency request or require a shelter to impose any such restrictions.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
34-37.1-7. Homeless shelter standard.
(a) Findings. The general assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) That all homeless persons have the right to homeless shelter services, regardless of their political or religious beliefs, immigration status, former geographic location of residence, ethno- cultural background, (dis)ability, gender identity, criminal background, and/or sexual orientation;
(2) That no shelter should charge a fee nor expect and/or require compensation from clients/residents for any services rendered;
(3) That homeless shelters should provide an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all shelter residents, and provide services in a non-judgmental manner;
(4) That shelter residents are capable of moving toward increasing levels of self-reliance and self-determination. Shelter staff should work with residents to assist them in achieving their goals;
(5) That homeless shelters should be sensitive to the ethno-specific and linguistic needs of residents;
(6) That service providers need to accept gender identity, as defined by the individual, rather than by the perception of staff and/or other residents;
(7) That protecting the privacy and confidentiality of shelter residents and their personal information is of the utmost importance;
(8) That all people staying in homeless shelters should have access to safe and nutritious food;
(9) That the health and safety of shelter residents, volunteers, and staff, shall be of the highest importance in each shelter;
(10) That issuing service restrictions in the shelter system, must be done only as a last resort and in the most serious cases;
(11) That everyone is entitled to shelter service whether or not they use controlled substances and service policies, should not be based on controlled substance use alone, except for those shelters operating on an abstinence or recovery model basis;
(12) That shelter residents should be involved in service provision, program planning, development and evaluation, and policy development;
(13) That homeless shelters, that include children and youth, provide support and activities and ensure that the school-related recreation and treatment needs of resident children are met on site, through community based services;
(14) That homeless shelters should afford an opportunity for children and youth with developmental and/or physical disabilities, to develop to their full potential within an environment where they can interact and socialize with other children;
(15) That shelters are part of a larger network of homeless services and agencies and collaboration within this network is important to ensure effective and coordinated services;
(16) That notification of shelter closure (either emergency or permanent shelter) should be done as soon as the provider is aware of the potential closure and posted in a common area. The provider should notify their residents, and the office of housing and community development, within the division of planning of the department of administration; and
(17) That all shelters should utilize the Rhode Island homeless management information system (HMIS) database, and make entries in a timely manner.
(b) The chair of the Rhode Island housing resources commission, shall appoint an eleven (11) member committee to draft recommended regulations for homeless shelters and provide recommendations, related to the operation of homeless shelters for consideration by the commission in preparation of the state's plan for housing, pursuant to the provisions of § 42-128- 8. The members shall be appointed as follows:
(1) One homeless or formerly homeless person;
(2) Two (2) representatives of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project;
(3) One representative of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless; LC003764 - Page 2 of 4
(4) Two (2) homeless shelter providers operating a shelter for individuals;
(5) Two (2) homeless shelter providers operating a shelter for families;
(6) One representative from the Rhode Island office of housing and community development;
(7) One domestic violence shelter provider; and
(8) One resident or former resident of a domestic violence shelter.
(c) The committee shall elect a chair or co-chairs from among their membership.
(d)(1) The committee shall define the characteristics of a homeless shelter, that shall be subject to the regulations and standards established by this section.
(2) The committee shall be charged with making recommendations for the formulation of regulations and standards to address the following topics and areas of concern:
(i) Baseline organizational standards that any agency operating a homeless shelter must meet;
(ii) Access to shelter guidelines, including admission and discharge, bed registration, substance use, and service restrictions;
(iii) Residents' rights and responsibilities, including resident input, complaints and appeals, and grievance procedures;
(iv) Program standards, including the provision of essential services, counseling supports, daytime access, confidentiality, sharing of resident information, safeguarding resident files, and staff code of conduct;
(v) Health and safety standards, including basic health and safety protocols, the safeguard of, and access to, resident medication, a policy on weapons, and requirements for staff training on health and safety issues; and
(vi) Emergency and winter shelter standards, including the definition of inclement weather events, in all seasons, that trigger requirements for homeless shelters to stay open for the protection of residents.
(3) Except to the extent specifically required by statute, no shelter regulation shall deny access to, or otherwise impose additional restrictions upon, individuals due to their being subject to community notification requirements, nor shall any state or municipal agency request or require a shelter to impose any such restrictions.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.