2022 -- H 7613

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LC005046

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CITIZENS COMMISSION FOR THE SAFETY

AND CARE OF THE ELDERLY

     Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Casey, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Corporations

     (Office of Healthy Aging)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 12-1.4-2, 12-1.4-3, 12-1.4-4, 12-1.4-7, 12-1.4-9 and 12-1.4-10 of

the General Laws in Chapter 12-1.4 entitled "Citizens' Commission for the Safety and Care of the

Elderly" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-1.4-2. Creation.

     There is established within the department of elderly affairs office of healthy aging the

citizens' commission for the safety and care of the elderly.

     12-1.4-3. Purpose.

     The purpose of the commission shall be to act as a liaison between the legislature, public

safety officials, the office of healthy aging, and the older population of Rhode Island in the area of

crime against the elderly, injury and fire safety, and protective service options available to the

elderly. The commission shall also outline suggested responsibilities for and facilitate training

requirements of older adults, police and fire advocates.

     12-1.4-4. Membership.

     (a) The commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) twenty-two (22) members, eight (8)

three (3) of whom shall be older citizens adults appointed by the speaker and seven (7) three (3) of

whom shall be older citizens adults appointed by the president of the senate. One whom shall be an

older adult appointed by the governor; all seven (7) of whom shall be appointed for a term of two

(2) years. The speaker shall appoint three (3) members and the president of the senate shall appoint

two (2) members for terms of three (3) years; the speaker shall appoint three (3) members and the

president of the senate shall appoint two (2) members for terms of two (2) years; and the speaker

shall appoint two (2) members and the president of the senate shall appoint three (3) members for

a term of one year. These terms shall commence with the date of appointment and expire on the

January 31 after the appointment corresponding with the number of years of the term to which

appointed. Appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) two (2) years commencing on

February 1, in the year of appointment 2022, and ending on January 31 in the third second year

after the appointment. Any vacancy among the members shall be filled by the appointing authority

for the remainder of the unexpired term.

     (b) The remaining six (6) fifteen (15) members of the commission shall be the president of

the Police Chiefs' Association or his or her designee; the attorney general or his or her designee;

the director of elderly affairs the office of healthy aging or his or her designee; a representative of

the state police appointed by the superintendent of the state police, the president of the fire chief's

association, or his or her designee and the state fire marshal or his or her designee; and; up to nine

(9) representatives to be decided by the commission to include representatives of agencies and

organizations who work directly with older adults. Such members and organizations represented

may include, but not be limited to, individuals residing in elder housing and/or elder shelters,

medical providers, legal services, community organizations and senior centers. all six (6) All fifteen

(15) of whom shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years.

     (c) The members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and

organize and shall select a chairperson from among themselves. Vacancies on the commission shall

be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

     12-1.4-7. Cooperation of departments.

     (a) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish any advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to the commission and its agents deemed necessary or desirable by the

commission to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

     (b) Each local police and fire chief shall designate at least one sworn police officer

department representative or fire fighter department representative to serve as the department's

"senior citizen police older adult's safety advocate" to work as a liaison between the department

and the elderly community to help address elderly safety and protection issues.

     12-1.4-9. Reports to general assembly Reports to the office of healthy aging.

     The commission shall report its findings and recommendations regarding the improvement

of elder safety issues to the general assembly office of healthy aging on or before January 25 of

each year.

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     12-1.4-10. Appropriation.

     The sum A minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be annually appropriated, out

of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general

treasurer for the payment of that sum, or as much of that sum as may be deemed necessary, from

time to time, upon receipt by him or her of properly authenticated vouchers.

     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 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CITIZENS COMMISSION FOR THE SAFETY

AND CARE OF THE ELDERLY

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     This act would amend several sections of law relating to safety and care for the elderly

including amending the composition of the citizens commission for the safety and care of the

elderly and requiring designated representatives within the police and fire departments to serve as

"older adults safety advocates."

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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