RI H8066

Defines "squatter" as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not a party to a rental agreement, not a periodic tenant, and not authorized by the property owner, landlord, or tenant to occupy the property

Creates a new misdemeanor offense of squatting, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both

Explicitly excludes squatters from tenant protections under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, meaning landlords are not required to go through formal eviction proceedings to remove them

Authorizes property owners and landlords to seek police assistance to remove and arrest squatters without initiating civil eviction proceedings

Preserves existing protections for tenants who rightfully entered premises and remain after tenancy termination, requiring landlords to use civil proceedings in those cases