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.

RI Bill Summary: Warming and Cooling Centers Emergency Plan

This bill would require Rhode Island to create a formal emergency action plan for operating warming and cooling centers during periods of extreme weather — such as dangerous heat waves in summer or severe cold in winter. The plan would establish clear guidelines for when these centers open, how they are staffed, and how they are managed to ensure residents have a safe place to go when outdoor temperatures become life-threatening.

A key feature of the bill is a statewide notification system tied to the National Weather Service. When the National Weather Service issues alerts for extreme heat or cold, that would automatically trigger public notifications letting Rhode Islanders know that warming or cooling centers are open and available. This would create a more consistent and coordinated system across the state, rather than leaving individual communities to handle announcements on their own.

The people most directly affected by this bill are vulnerable Rhode Islanders — including elderly residents, people experiencing homelessness, individuals without reliable heating or air conditioning, and others who face serious health risks during extreme weather events. Local governments, emergency management agencies, and community organizations that operate these centers would also be impacted, as they would need to follow the new standardized plan and participate in the notification system.

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, with a hearing scheduled for April 2026. It has not yet been voted on or signed into law.