The bill amends various sections of the General Laws to modernize terminology concerning older adults and individuals with disabilities. It introduces a new section, 22-11-3.6, which empowers the law revision director to prepare a bill for the 2026 legislative session aimed at replacing the terms "elder" and "elderly person(s)" with "older adult(s)" throughout the general laws. Additionally, it changes references to "handicapped" and "disabled" in relation to elderly individuals to "adult person(s) with disabilities," while providing exemptions where these changes may conflict with existing government documents, official forms, or computer programs used by state departments or agencies.

The bill updates definitions within the Office of Healthy Aging, specifying that "elderly person" will be replaced with "older adult" in relevant contexts. It expands the membership of the state planning council to include a representative from a statewide aging advocacy organization who is 60 years of age or older, thereby enhancing the representation of older Rhode Islanders in state planning. The bill establishes a permanent committee on aging within the council, modifies the quorum requirement to twelve members, and mandates the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council to review and make recommendations for reforming its governing statute by March 31, 2026. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5719: 42-11-10
5719  SUB A: 42-66-4.1, 42-11-10