This bill amends Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws regarding "Emergency Management" by introducing new sections that establish protocols for issuing warming and cooling center alerts. It defines "at-risk individuals" as those living outdoors, on the streets, in parks, or in poorly insulated settings who are vulnerable to weather-related exposure and possible death. The bill mandates that cities and towns create plans for issuing alerts to municipalities, social service agencies, and nonprofit organizations that provide services to at-risk individuals, ensuring that information about available services is disseminated through various channels, including the Rhode Island emergency management agency's webpage, local media, social media, and United Way's 211.

The director of the emergency management agency is responsible for declaring warming and cooling center alerts based on weather forecasts from the National Weather Service. Municipalities are required to keep warming and cooling centers open 24/7 during declared alert periods. The bill outlines specific requirements for municipalities during these alerts, including arranging for shelters that are open seven days a week, providing notice and updates on available resources, and ensuring comfort provisions such as blankets, cots, meals, and beverages.

Municipalities receiving state or federal funding to operate a shelter or warming/cooling center must comply with the 24-hour operation requirement. Additionally, municipalities not identified as "hot spots" for homelessness, according to the most recent Point-In-Time Count, may collaborate with neighboring municipalities to combine resources and operate regional warming or cooling centers, thereby ensuring effective utilization of resources to support at-risk individuals during extreme weather events. The act will take effect upon passage.