2019 -- S 0687 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - STATE BUILDING CODE - NEW BUILDINGS

AND STRUCTURES

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Lombardi, McCaffrey, Goodwin, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-111.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled

"State Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-27.3-111.2. Inspection.

     (a) The building official shall make all required inspections as specified in the provisions

of this code and the building official shall conduct the inspections from time to time during and

upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit; and the building

official shall maintain a record of all the examinations and inspections and of all violations of this

code. In conjunction with specific construction projects, the building official may designate

specific inspection points in the course of construction which require the contractor or builder to

give the building official twenty-four (24) hours notice prior to the time when the inspections are

required to be performed. The building official shall make the inspection within forty-eight (48)

hours after the notification; weekend days and holidays are not included in the forty-eight (48)

hours.

     (b) If the building official fails to perform an inspection within the time frame set forth in

this section, the contractor or builder may hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state

inspector. The building official shall accept reports of such inspections. For the purposes of this

section, a qualified third-party inspector shall mean an individual certified in accordance with the

provisions of § 23-27.3-107.6 or any professional authorized by the provisions of § 23-27.3-

108.1.4. In order to hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state inspector, the contractor or

builder shall notify the building official via email of the intent to hire a qualified third-party

inspector or the state inspector to perform the inspection at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to

the hire. If the state inspector performs the inspection, the salary and operating expenses for

services provided shall be reimbursed to the state by the city or town receiving the services and

shall be deposited as general revenues.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - STATE BUILDING CODE - NEW BUILDINGS

AND STRUCTURES

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     This act would allow a contractor or builder to hire a qualified third-party inspector or

state inspector to perform an inspection if a building official fails to perform an inspection within

forty-eight (48) hours after notification, excluding weekends and holidays. There must be

notification to the building inspector of intent to do so at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to

hire. Upon notice the building official shall accept reports of such inspections.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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