2023 -- H 5606

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LC001407

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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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, McNamara, Potter, Diaz, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2023

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     (Office of Healthy Aging)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 12-1.4 of the General Laws entitled "Citizens’

Commission for the Safety and Care of the Elderly" is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 12-1.4

Citizens’ Commission for the Safety and Care of the Elderly

CHAPTER 12-1.4

COMMISSION FOR THE SAFETY AND CARE OF THE ELDERLY

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

     12-1.4-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Citizens’ “Commission for the Safety

and Care of the Elderly.”

     12-1.4-2. Creation.

     There is established within the department of elderly affairs the citizens’ commission for

the safety and care of the elderly office of healthy aging the 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 of whom shall be

an older adult appointed by the governor's office; 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) years commencing on

February 1 in the year of appointment and ending on January 31 in the third year after the

appointment. Commission members may remain in their position beyond the three (3) year term

until new members are duly appointed. 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; all six (6) of

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

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

director 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.

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     (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 sworn fire fighter department representative to serve as the

department’s “senior citizen police older adults police 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.

     The commission shall report its findings and recommendations regarding the improvement

of elder safety issues to the general assembly, the governor's office, and the office of healthy aging

on or before January 25 of each year.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001407

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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 safety commission 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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