The bill amends Section 32-1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-1, which pertains to general provisions regarding persons with disabilities. It establishes that no fees will be charged to individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, or to vehicles transporting a non-driver with a disability at state-owned recreational facilities, provided they present proper identification as specified by the Department of Environmental Management.

The definition of a person with a disability is expanded to include individuals receiving social security disability benefits (SSDI), receiving supplemental security income benefits (SSI), receiving veterans benefits and determined to be disabled through a service-connected disability, and those determined by the executive office of health and human services, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the term "fees" encompasses all charges for parking, admittance, or other user fees related to recreational activities, excluding certain fees such as licensing, camping, picnic table, and specialized facility use fees. This act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5079: 32-1-17