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3/16/2026
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MEDIA ADVISORY: House Judiciary Committee meets on Wednesday to hear several bills relating to housing
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STATE HOUSE – The House Judiciary Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 18 at 4:30 p.m. in the House Lounge of the State House to hear testimony on several bills relating to housing.
The committee is chaired by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).
Among the legislation scheduled to be heard are the following bills:
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2026-H 7034, sponsored by Rep. John J. Lombardi (D-Dist. 8, Providence), prohibits landlords from inquiring about an applicant’s prior incarceration and from discriminating against those who have been released from prison.
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2026-H 7199, sponsored by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Providence), grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent.
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2026-H 7655, sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), permits a tenant, at the tenant's expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.
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2026-H 8066, sponsored by Rep. Jacquelyn Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston), defines “squatter” as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owners, including police assistance, to remove a squatter.
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2026-H 8108, sponsored by Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston), limits rent increases to 4% annually, but allows an additional increase for taxes, insurance, or health and safety costs if the landlord gets an exemption from the Secretary of Housing, and provides tenants civil remedies for violations.
The committee will also consider legislation (2026-H 7634) sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) which provides that advanced practice registered nurses have the same immunity from liability as physicians and surgeons.
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on: Cox Communications, channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) on 15; and Verizon, on channel 34. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 322
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 447-2655
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