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6/26/2024
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Rep. Cruz and Sen. Ciccone’s bill to reform State Building Code Office signed into law
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Bills are part of Speaker Shekarchi’s 2024 legislative package addressing the housing crisis in Rhode Island
STATE HOUSE – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Cherie L. Cruz and Sen. Frank A. Ciccone that would codify the existing structure of the State Building Code Office, and also clarifies the role of the State Building Code Commissioner, has been signed into law. The bill is part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) 15-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.
“For too long, much-needed housing production has been stifled due to complex levels of state and municipal red tape, often resulting from varying and different building code rules across our cities and towns. This bill will simplify and centralize building code issues and further promote safety, which will in turn make housing production easier and more uniform. The housing crisis is significantly hurting our residents and this legislation is a good step toward building the housing that our state desperately needs,” said Representative Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket).
“The housing crisis is devastating Rhode Islanders and the lack of available housing is due in part to the wide variety of complex building codes across the state. This bill will streamline the process of building more housing and help alleviate the anxiety and fear so many are facing when searching for suitable and safe housing,” said Senator Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).
The legislation (2024-H 7983B, 2024-S 2990A) modifies statutory language to ensure a uniform interpretation and enforcement of the building code statewide. It also would establish a building code education and training unit with input from the RI League of Cities and Towns to educate building officials and inspectors statewide.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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