Amends the definition of abandoned property by imposing the requirement that the building owner be notified of the violation and has failed to address such violations in the timeframes set forth in the notice of violation or court order.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Abandoned Property Definition

This bill changes how Rhode Island legally defines "abandoned property" when it comes to buildings. Under the proposed change, a property cannot be officially labeled as "abandoned" unless the building owner has first been formally notified of the violations on their property and has failed to fix those problems within the timeframe spelled out in the notice or required by a court order. In other words, the government would need to give owners a fair warning and a chance to respond before their property is classified as abandoned.

The bill primarily affects property owners in Rhode Island, particularly those whose buildings may be in disrepair or otherwise not meeting local code requirements. Under the current law, it appears a property could be designated as abandoned without this notification requirement being clearly established. This change would add an extra step — a formal notice and a waiting period — before that designation can be applied.

This could also affect local municipalities, code enforcement agencies, and neighbors of potentially abandoned properties. Local governments may need to follow additional steps before pursuing actions typically associated with abandoned property, which could include things like fines, liens, or other interventions. Neighborhoods dealing with neglected buildings might experience some delay in the process as a result.

The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning lawmakers want more time to review it before deciding whether to move it forward.