Provides certain procedures that must be followed before an encampment can be removed or relocated.

Rhode Island Homeless Encampment Bill Summary

This bill would establish a set of required steps that government authorities must follow before they can remove or relocate a homeless encampment. Rather than allowing encampments to be cleared without advance notice, the bill would create a formal process designed to give people living in encampments time to prepare and access resources before being asked to move. The specific procedures would likely include advance notice requirements, outreach efforts, and possibly connections to shelter or services.

The bill primarily affects people experiencing homelessness who live in encampments, as well as local governments and law enforcement agencies that currently handle encampment removals. For homeless individuals, the bill would provide more predictability and protection during the removal process. For local governments, it would create new rules and responsibilities they would need to follow before clearing an encampment, which could affect how quickly and easily they can respond to encampments in public spaces.

Currently, this bill has been referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee and has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward in the legislative process. A hearing has been scheduled for March 2026. This suggests lawmakers want more time to examine the details and hear from various stakeholders — including local officials, housing advocates, and community members — before deciding whether to move the bill forward.