Addresses any single-family construction, townhouse construction, and multi-family construction complying with the Standards for Visitable Units of the ANSI' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

Rhode Island Inclusive Home Design Act: Plain-English Summary

This bill would require newly built homes in Rhode Island — including single-family houses, townhouses, and multi-family buildings — to meet specific accessibility standards known as "visitable unit" standards. These standards come from a nationally recognized set of guidelines (called ANSI Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities) and are designed to make homes more usable for people with physical disabilities or mobility challenges. Key features of a "visitable" home typically include things like at least one step-free entrance, wider doorways, and an accessible bathroom on the main floor.

The bill would affect homebuilders, developers, and contractors who construct new residential properties in Rhode Island. By requiring these accessibility features to be built into new homes from the start, the bill aims to make it easier for people with disabilities, older residents, and their families and visitors to enter and move around in homes — without needing costly renovations later. Homebuyers and renters in newly constructed properties would also be affected, as the homes they move into would be built to these standards.

It is worth noting that this bill is still in its early stages. It has been referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee and is currently being held for further study, meaning lawmakers have not yet voted on it and are still reviewing its details and potential implications before deciding whether to advance it.