Rhode Island Senate Bill S2481

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/26
• Refer: 2/6/26
• Report Pass: 5/21/26
• Refer: 5/29/26

Caption

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRESPASS AND VANDALISM

Summary

S2481 creates a new statutory framework in Rhode Island for addressing squatting on residential property. The bill defines “squatter” in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act as a person occupying a dwelling unit without authorization and not as a party to a rental agreement or periodic tenancy, and it clarifies that a squatter is not a tenant. It also adds a new criminal offense for “squatting on residential property,” making a person convicted of squatting guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill further amends the state’s trespass law to include squatters within willful trespass and to state that tenants or occupants who remain after a tenancy is terminated are not covered by the trespass provision, because landlords must use civil proceedings to recover possession in those cases. By contrast, for squatters, the bill authorizes property owners or landlords to seek police assistance to remove and arrest the squatter and pursue criminal prosecution, rather than being required to use the eviction process under landlord-tenant law. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Impact

The bill would change both criminal law and landlord-tenant law. It adds a new misdemeanor offense in Chapter 11-44 for squatting on residential property, expands the trespass statute to expressly reference squatters, and creates a new remedy in Chapter 34-18 allowing landlords and property owners to bypass eviction proceedings when dealing with squatters. It also narrows the scope of tenant protections by stating that squatters are not entitled to the rights and protections of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. The practical effect is to give property owners and law enforcement a faster path to remove unauthorized occupants while preserving civil eviction procedures for actual tenants and holdover tenants.

Sentiment

The available bill materials suggest a generally supportive, law-and-order approach to property rights and unauthorized occupancy, with the bill framed as a tool to help owners regain control of residential property more quickly. The introduction by multiple senators indicates a level of sponsorship support, and the bill text is drafted to provide clear enforcement authority and remedies. No committee transcript or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented opposition or amendment debate in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the distinction between squatters and tenants, especially holdover occupants. The bill expressly says squatters are not tenants and may be removed without eviction proceedings, while also preserving civil-process protections for tenants or occupants who remain after a tenancy is alleged to have ended. That line-drawing could raise concerns about mistaken classification, due process, and whether police involvement is appropriate in occupancy disputes. Another possible issue is the interaction with domestic violence protections and existing landlord-tenant remedies, though the bill states that other remedies remain available.