Rhode Island HB 5719: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Bill Text

2025 -- H 5719 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC000777/SUB A
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
SERVICES
Introduced By: Representative Lauren H. Carson
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: House State Government & Elections

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 22-11 of the General Laws entitled "Joint Committee on Legislative 1
Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
22-11-3.6. Revision of statutes -- Older adult to replace elder or elderly. 3
(a) Unless exempted by subsection (b) of this section, the law revision director is 4
empowered and directed to produce a bill for introduction in the 2026 legislative session that shall: 5
(1) Replace the terms "elder" and "elderly person(s)" as they appear throughout the general 6
laws with the term "older adult(s)"; 7
(2) Replace the terms "handicapped" and "disabled" as they appear throughout the general 8
laws in regard to elder or elderly person(s) with the term "adult person(s) with disabilities". 9
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to: 10
(1) Title 42; 11
(2) Chapter 5 and chapter 68 of title 11; 12
(3) Chapter 19 of title 17; 13
(4) Chapter 34 of title 19; and 14
(5) Any other section of law where the substitution of the term "elder" or "elderly 15
person(s)" with the term "older adult(s)" or the substitution of the term "handicapped" or "disabled" 16
as they refer to "elder" or "elderly person(s)" with the term "older adult(s)" or "adult(s) with 17
disabilities" would conflict with any existing government document, official form or computer 18

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program used by state departments or agencies or that would interfere with any application for 1
funding, grants, or services or that would conflict with any contractual provision relative to state 2
departments or agencies. Provided further, in any situation where the director of law revision 3
believes a change in terminology would likely cause confusion and/or unintended consequences 4
not related to the purpose of the act, the term "elder" or "elderly person(s)" shall remain. 5
(c) State departments or agencies may elect to use the existing terminology by providing 6
notice to the law revision director indicating such election. 7
SECTION 2. Section 42-66-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-66 entitled "Office of 8
Healthy Aging" is hereby amended to read as follows: 9
42-66-4.1. Definitions. 10
As used in this chapter: 11
(1) “Abuse” means physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse of an elderly 12
person by a caregiver as defined in subsection (2). 13
(i) “Emotional abuse” means a pattern of willful infliction of mental or emotional harm 14
upon an elderly person by threat, intimidation, isolation, or other abusive conduct. 15
(ii) “Physical abuse” means the willful infliction of physical pain or injury (e.g., slapping, 16
bruising, or restraining) upon an elderly person. 17
(iii) “Sexual abuse” means the infliction of non-consensual sexual contact of any kind upon 18
an elderly person. Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, rape, sexual misuse 19
or exploitation of an elderly person, as well as threats of sexual abuse where the perpetrator has the 20
intent and the capacity to carry out the threatened abuse. 21
(2) “Caregiver” means a person who has assumed the responsibility for the care of the 22
elderly person voluntarily, by contract, or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or who is 23
otherwise legally responsible for the care of the elderly person. 24
(3) “Elderly person” or “elder” or "older adult" means any person sixty (60) years of age 25
or older. 26
(4) “Exploitation” means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act 27
or process of an individual, including, but not limited to, a caregiver or fiduciary, who uses the 28
resources of an elderly person for monetary or personal benefit, profit, gain, or that results in 29
depriving an elderly person of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets 30
by use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, or false pretenses. 31
(5) “Neglect” means the willful failure by a caregiver or other person with a duty of care 32
to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental harm, or mental illness to an 33
elderly person, including, but not limited to, “abandonment” (withdrawal of necessary assistance) 34

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and denial of food or health-related services. 1
(6) “Protective services” means services and/or action intended to prevent and/or alleviate 2
the abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of elderly persons. Protective services may include 3
supervision, counseling, and assistance in securing health and supportive