The bill amends Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws, titled "Emergency Management," by introducing a new section, 30-15-48, which mandates that by November 15, 2026, each city and town in Rhode Island must prepare a local emergency action plan. This plan will focus on coordination and communication procedures for operating warming and cooling centers during periods of extreme weather. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is tasked with developing uniform guidelines for these plans, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.

The plans must be approved by RIEMA, with the cooperation of the Executive Office of Housing, before being formally adopted by the municipalities. Each local plan is required to identify communication protocols for informing the public during a declared warming or cooling center alert, outline coordination procedures with nonprofit partners and state agencies for operational support, and include contact points for municipal departments and potential activation locations during extreme weather.

Municipalities are permitted to collaborate with neighboring cities or towns, regional agencies, nonprofit service providers, or community volunteers to develop and implement these emergency action plans. The plans must be updated every three years, or more frequently if required by RIEMA, and filed with specified state and municipal entities. Additionally, RIEMA will establish a statewide notification system in coordination with the National Weather Service to initiate warming or cooling center alerts, ensuring that the communication and coordination protocols set forth in the municipal emergency action plans are effectively triggered. The act will take effect upon passage.