The bill amends Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws, which pertains to "Low and Moderate Income Housing," by introducing a new section titled "Tiverton emergency moratorium." This new provision authorizes the town of Tiverton to enact an emergency moratorium on accepting or processing applications for comprehensive permit projects if there are five hundred or more units proposed. During this moratorium, any applications submitted will not have grandfathered status, meaning they will not be exempt from the restrictions of the moratorium.
Furthermore, the town of Tiverton may maintain this moratorium until the comprehensive permit requirements outlined in section 45-53-4 are amended. The act is designed to provide local governance with the ability to manage housing development effectively in response to significant proposals. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage.