The bill amends Section 45-24.3-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-24.3 entitled "Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code" to require that a notice of violation issued by an enforcing officer for any failures to meet housing requirements must also be served to the residents affected by the violations. The notice must be in writing, state the alleged violations, describe the location, provide a reasonable time for correction (not to exceed 30 days), and be served personally or by certified or registered mail. New insertions to the law include the requirement for the notice to be made available for copy and review upon request by a tenant at a local municipal code enforcement office, and for the enforcing officer to notify the tenant-occupant of any hearings pertaining to alleged violations by certified mail or by posting a copy of the summons in a conspicuous place.

The bill also outlines the process for nonresident owners to maintain a registered agent within the state, the steps for service if persons cannot be found, reinspection procedures, and the issuance of a second notice of violation. It specifies the enforcement officer's duties after the expiration of time granted for correction, including summoning the owner, occupant, operator, or agent to a hearing and notifying tenants of hearings. The bill includes provisions for recording the second notice in the land registry, imposing cumulative civil penalties, and ensuring that subsequent transferees are aware of and liable for existing violations. The act would take effect upon passage, emphasizing the importance of informing tenants about housing code violations and related hearings.

Statutes affected:
7987: 45-24.3-17