Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island.
IG/Bluesky/TikTok: @RWULaw
FB: facebook.com/RWULaw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/roger-williams-university-school-of-law
All content for Law 401 is the property of Roger Williams University School of Law and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island.
IG/Bluesky/TikTok: @RWULaw
FB: facebook.com/RWULaw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/roger-williams-university-school-of-law
<p><br></p><p>Zoning laws, red tape, and outdated building restrictions are blocking the housing Rhode Islanders desperately need. In this episode of Law 401, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins us to break down how the General Assembly is fighting the housing crisis by passing laws to fix a system that keeps homes out of reach for so many.</p><p>In this episode, we cover: </p><ul><li> How zoning laws have slowed housing growth, and what’s changing</li><li> What preemption means, and how the state uses it to mandate housing access</li><li> The legalization and expansion of Accessory Dwelling Units</li><li>New efforts to repurpose vacant commercial and institutional buildings</li><li>Why increasing housing supply can help bring down rents and reduce homelessness</li><li>The balance between local control and statewide responsibility</li></ul><p><br></p><p>PLUS: The HASBRO Headquarters move</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources: </strong></p><ul><li><strong>Speaker Shekarchi’s Bio: </strong><a href="https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/Shekarchi/Pages/Biography.aspx" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/Shekarchi/Pages/Biography.aspx</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>2025 R.I. Housing Legislation: </strong><a href="https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375110&Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375110&Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488</a>\</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>2024 R.I. Housing Bills Passed: </strong><a href="https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=374721" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=374721</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>HousingWorks R.I. 2024 Factbook: </strong><a href="https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdf" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdf</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Chapter 37: RI Fair Housing Practices Act </strong><a href="https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/INDEX.HTM" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/INDEX.HTM</a></li></ul><p><br></p>
Law 401
Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island.
IG/Bluesky/TikTok: @RWULaw
FB: facebook.com/RWULaw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/roger-williams-university-school-of-law
