2023 -- S 0349
========
LC000934
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- ORDINANCES
Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Euer, Valverde, and Miller
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 45-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-6 entitled "Ordinances" is 1
hereby amended to read as follows: 2
45-6-1. Scope of ordinances permissible. 3
(a) Town and city councils may, from time to time, make and ordain all ordinances and 4
regulations for their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to law, which they deem necessary 5
for the safety of their inhabitants from fire, firearms, and fireworks; to regulate the use and sale of 6
cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems; to prevent persons 7
standing on any footwalk, sidewalk, doorstep, or in any doorway, or riding, driving, fastening, or 8
leaving any horse or other animal or any carriage, team, or other vehicle on any footwalk, sidewalk, 9
doorstep, or doorway within the town or city, to the obstruction, hindrance, delay, disturbance, or 10
annoyance of passersby or of persons residing or doing business in this vicinity; to regulate the 11
putting up and maintenance of telegraph and other wires and their appurtenances; to prevent the 12
indecent exposure of any one bathing in any of the waters within their respective towns and cities; 13
against breakers of the Sabbath; against habitual drunkenness; respecting the purchase and sale of 14
merchandise or commodities within their respective towns and cities; to protect burial grounds and 15
the graves in these burial grounds from trespassers; and, generally, all other ordinances, regulations 16
and bylaws for the well ordering, managing, and directing of the prudential affairs and police of 17
their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state, or of the 18
United States. 19
LC000934 - Page 2 of 3
(b) Town and city councils shall furnish to their senators and representatives, upon request 1
and at no charge, copies and updates of all ordinances and regulations. 2
(c) In lieu of newspaper publication, advance notice of proposed adoption, amendment, or 3
repeal of any ordinance or regulation by a municipality may be provided via electronic media on a 4
website maintained by the office of the secretary of state. 5
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 6
========
LC000934
========
LC000934 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- ORDINANCES
***
This act would allow cities and towns to create ordinances to regulate the use and sales of 1
cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
========
LC000934
========