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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. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES -- STATUTES AND
STATUTORY CONSTRUCTI ON
Introduced By: Senators Acosta, Miller, and DiPalma
Date Introduced: March 22, 2023
Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services
(Dept. of BHDDH)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 16-24-7, 16-24-10, 16-24-11 and 16-24-16 of the General Laws in 1
Chapter 16-24 entitled "Children With Disabilities [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island 2
Board of Education Act]" are hereby amended to read as follows: 3
16-24-7. “Mentally retarded minors” defined. Minors with intellectual and/or 4
developmental disabilities defined. Minors with intellectual or developmental disabilities 5
defined. 6
The term “mentally retarded minors” "minors with intellectual or developmental 7
disabilities" means all children between the age of three (3) and twenty-one (21) who because of 8
retarded intellectual development, as determined by an individual multidisciplinary evaluation, 9
require specialized instruction appropriate to their individual capacity. 10
16-24-10. Arrangements by cities and towns having small numbers of retarded 11
children. Arrangements by cities and towns having small numbers of children with 12
intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Arrangements by cities and towns having small 13
numbers of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 14
Each city and town which contains fewer than eight (8) mentally retarded minors with 15
intellectual or developmental disabilities may contract with another city or town for the education 16
of the minors or may establish a special class pursuant to the previous provision with the consent 17
of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. In the event that a city or town 18
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does not establish a class for fewer than eight (8) mentally retarded minors with intellectual or 1
developmental disabilities or contract with another city or town, then the city or town shall contract 2
with a suitable day school for instruction adapted to the mental attainments of the minors; provided 3
that the day schools shall be subject to the regulations and supervision of the state board of regents 4
for elementary and secondary education. 5
16-24-11. Transportation for retarded children. Transportation for children with 6
intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Transportation for children with intellectual 7
or developmental disabilities. 8
Transportation shall be provided for all pupils attending a special class or suitable day 9
schools. 10
16-24-16. Approved centers. 11
For the purpose of furnishing transportation and providing incidental expenses for the 12
education of mentally retarded children under the age of eighteen (18), a center approved by the 13
director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals shall be decreed to be a 14
school as considered in this chapter. 15
SECTION 2. Sections 23-17.8-1 and 23-17.8-3.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.8 16
entitled "Abuse in Healthcare Facilities" are hereby amended to read as follows: 17
23-17.8-1. Definitions. 18
(a)(1) “Abuse” means: 19
(i) Any assault as defined in chapter 5 of title 11, including, but not limited to, hitting, 20
kicking, pinching, slapping, or the pulling of hair; provided, however, unless it is required as an 21
element of the offense charged, it shall not be necessary to prove that the patient or resident was 22
injured by the assault; 23
(ii) Any assault as defined in chapter 37 of title 11; 24
(iii) Any offense under chapter 10 of title 11; 25
(iv) Any conduct which harms or is likely to physically harm the patient or resident except 26
where the conduct is a part of the care and treatment, and in furtherance of the health and safety of 27
the patient or resident; or 28
(v) Intentionally engaging in a pattern of harassing conduct which causes or is likely to 29
cause emotional or psychological harm to the patient or resident, including but not limited to, 30
ridiculing or demeaning a patient or resident, making derogatory remarks to a patient or resident or 31
cursing directed towards a patient or resident, or threatening to inflict physical or emotional harm 32
on a patient or resident. 33
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the prosecution of any violator of 34
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this section under any other chapter. 1
(b) “Department” means the department of health when the incident occurs in a health care 2
facility, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals when 3
the incident occurs in a community residence for people who are mentally retarded or persons with 4
intellectual or developmental disabilities. 5
(c) “Facility” means any health care facility or community residence for persons who are 6
mentally retarded, or persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities as those terms are 7
defined in this section. “Health care facility” means any hospital or facility which provides long-8
term health care required to be licensed under chapter 17 of this title, and any assisted living 9
residence required to be licensed under chapter 17.4 of this title, and any community residence 10
whether privately or publicly owned. “Community residence” for persons who are mentally 11
retarded or persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities means any residential program 12
licensed by the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals which 13
meets the definition of a community residence as defined in § 40.1-24-1(2) and provides services 14
to people who are mentally retarded or persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 15
(d) “High Managerial Agent” means an officer of a facility, the administrator and assistant 16
administrator of the facility, the director and assistant director of nursing services, or any other 17
agent in a position of comparable authority with respect to the formulation of the policies of the 18
facility or the supervision in a managerial capacity of subordinate employees. 19
(e) “Mistreatment” means the inappropriate use of medications, isolation, or use of physical 20
or chemical restraints: 21
(1) As punishment; 22
(2) For staff convenience; 23
(3) As a substitute for treatment or care; 24
(4) In conflict with a physician’s order; or 25
(5) In quantities which inhibit effective care or treatment, or which harms or is likely to 26
harm the patient or resident. 27
(f) “Neglect” means the intentional failure to provide treatment, care, goods, and services 28
necessary to maintain the health and safety of the patient or resident, or the intentional failure to 29
carry out a plan of treatment or care prescribed by the physician of the patient or resident, or the 30
intentional failure to report patient or resident health problems or changes in health problems or 31
changes in health conditions to an immediate supervisor or nurse, or the intentional lack of attention 32
to the physical needs of a patient or resident including, but not limited to toileting, bathing, meals, 33
and safety. No person shall be considered to be neglected for the sole reason that he or she relies 34
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on or is being furnished treatment in accordance with the tenets and teachings of a well-recognized 1
church or denomination by a duly-accredited practitioner of a well-recognized church or 2
denomination. 3
(g) “Patient” means any person who is admitted to a facility for treatment or care, while 4
“resident” means any person who maintains their residence or domicile, on either a temporary or 5
permanent basis, in a facility. 6
(h) “Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, unincorporated 7
association, or other business entity. 8
(i) “Immediate jeopardy” means a situation in which the nursing facility’s alleged 9
noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or conditions has caused, or is likely 10
to cause serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident; or shall be defined in accordance 11
with 42 CFR 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations. 12
(j) “Non-immediate jeopardy — high potential for harm” means a situation in which a 13
nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or 14
conditions may have caused harm that negatively impacts the individual’s mental, physical and/or 15
psychosocial status; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 CFR 489 or any subsequent 16
applicable federal regulations. 17
(k) “Non-immediate jeopardy — medium potential for harm” means a situation in which a 18
nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or 19
conditions has caused or may have caused harm that is of limited consequence and does not 20
significantly impair the individual’s mental, physical and/or psychosocial status to function; or shall 21
be defined in accordance with 42 CFR 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations. 22
(l) “Non-immediate jeopardy — low potential for harm” means a situation in which a 23
nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or 24
conditions may have caused mental, physical and/or psychosocial discomfort that does not 25
constitute injury or damage; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 CFR 489 or any subsequent 26
applicable federal regulations. 27
23-17.8-3.1. Physician’s, certified registered nurse practitioner’s and physician 28
assistant’s report of examination — Duty of facility. 29
Whenever a facility shall receive a report by a person other than a physician or a certified 30
registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant that a patient or resident of the facility has been 31
harmed as a result of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, the facility shall have the patient examined 32
by a licensed physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant. It shall be 33
mandatory for the physician or certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant to make 34
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a preliminary report of his or her findings to the department of health for a healthcare facility, or to 1
the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals for a community 2
residence for people who are mentally retarded or persons with intellectual or developmental 3
disabilities and to the facility within forty-eight (48) hours after his or her examination, and a 4
written report within five (5) days after his or her examination. 5
SECTION 3. Section 23-74-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-74 entitled "Unlicensed 6
Health Care Practices" is hereby amended to read as follows: 7
23-74-4. Prohibited conduct. 8
The director may impose disciplinary action as described in this chapter against any 9
unlicensed health care practitioner. The following conduct is prohibited and is grounds for 10
disciplinary action: 11
(1) Conviction of a crime, including a finding or verdict of guilt, and admission of guilt, or 12
a no contest plea, in any court in Rhode Island or any other jurisdiction in the United States, 13
reasonably related to engaging in health care practices. Conviction, as used in this subdivision, 14
includes a conviction of an offense which, if committed in this state, would be deemed a felony or 15
misdemeanor, without regard to its designation elsewhere, or a criminal proceeding where a finding 16
or verdict of guilty is made or returned, but the adjudication of guilt is either withheld or not entered. 17
(2) Engaging in sexual contact with an unlicensed health care client, engaging in contact 18
that may be reasonably interpreted by a client as sexual or engaging in sexual exploitation of a 19
client. 20
(3) Advertising that is false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading. 21
(4) Conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public or demonstrating a willful or 22
careless disregard for the health or safety of an unlicensed health care client in which case, proof 23
of actual injury need not be established. 24
(5) Adjudication as mentally incompetent or as a person who is dangerous to self or 25
adjudicated as any of the following: chemically dependent, mentally ill, mentally retarded, mentally 26
ill and dangerous to the public, or as a sexual psychopathic personality or sexually dangerous 27
person. 28
(6) Inability to engage in unlicensed health care practices with reasonable safety to 29
unlicensed health care clients. 30
(7) Dependence upon controlled substances, habitual drunkenness or engaging in 31
unlicensed health care practices while intoxicated or incapacitated by the use of drugs. 32
(8) Revealing a communication from, or relating to, an unlicensed health care client except 33
when otherwise required or permitted by law. 34
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(9) Failure to comply with an unlicensed health care client’s request to furnish an 1
unlicensed health care client record or report required by law. 2
(10) Splitting fees or promising to pay a portion of a fee to any other professional other 3
than for services rendered by the other professional to the unlicensed health care client. 4
(11) Engaging in abusive or fraudulent billing practices, including violations of the federal 5
Medicare and Medicaid laws or state medical assistance laws. 6
(12) Obtaining money, property, or services from an unlicensed health care client, other 7
than reasonable fees for services provided to the client, through the use of undue influence, 8
harassment, duress, deception, or fraud. 9
(13) Failure to provide an unlicensed health care client with a copy of the client bill of 10
rights or violation of any provision of the client bill of rights. 11
(14) Violating any order issued by the director. 12
(15) Failure to comply with any provision of any rules adopted by the director. 13
(16) Failure to comply with any additional disciplinary grounds established by the director 14
by rule. 15
(17) Revocation, suspension, restriction, limitation, or other disciplinary action against any 16
health care license, certificate, registration, or right to practice of the unlicensed health care 17
practitioner in this or another state or jurisdiction for offenses that would be subject to disciplinary 18
action in this state or failure to report to the department that charges regarding the practitioner’s 19
license, certificate, registration, or right of practice have been brought in this or another state or 20
jurisdiction. 21
(18) False or misleading use of the title “doctor,” “Dr.”, “physician” alone or in 22
combination with any other words, letters, or insignia to describe the unlicensed health care 23
practices the practitioner provides. 24
SECTION 4. Section 31-6-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-6 entitled "Registration 25
Fees" is hereby amended to read as follows: 26
31-6-6. Vehicles exempt from fees. 27
(a) No registration fee is required for the registration of motor-driven equipment owned by 28
the following: 29
(1) American Legion bloodmobile; 30
(2) American National Red Cross or any of its chapters within this state; 31
(3) American Red Cross, Jamestown chapter ambulance; 32
(4) American Red Cross, Tiverton chapter ambulance; 33
(5) American Red Cross, Warwick chapter ambulances; 34
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(6) Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island truck used for rescue work; 1
(7) Burrillville Ambulance Corps ambulance; 2
(8) Burrillville American Legion Post No. 17 ambulances; 3
(9) Civil Air Patrol, Rhode Island wing motor vehicle equipment; 4
(10) East Greenwich Ambulance Association ambulances; 5
(11) East Greenwich American Legion Post No. 15 (incorporated February 20, 1933) 6
ambulances; 7
(12) East Tiverton Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad of Tiverton (a non-business 8
corporation, incorporated February 16, 1955) equipment, that motor vehicle being a rescue truck 9
equipped with resuscitators, underwater equipment, emergency lighting units with generators, and 10
various other devices needed to effect rescue and save lives and property under any emergency and 11
used for this purpose only; 12
(13) Foster Ambulance Association ambulances; 13
(14) Georgiaville Volunteer Fire Company, Smithfield town ambulance; 14
(15) Glocester Ambulance Corps, Inc. ambulance; 15
(16) Hianloland Farms Fire Engine Company of West Greenwich RI, (a non-business 16
corporation, incorporated November 15, 1940) equipment; 17
(17) Hope Valley Ambulance Squad, Inc., ambulances and rescue trucks; 18
(18) Hope Valley volunteer fire company ambulances; 19
(19) Hope Valley volunteer fire company crash-truck; 20
(20) Hospital ambulances; 21
(21) Johnston Hose Company No. 1 ambulance; 22
(22) Johnston Hose Company No. 3 ambulance; 23
(23) Lake Mishnock Volunteer Fire Company Rescue Squad, West Greenwich, Rhode 24
Island; 25
(24) Le Baron C. Colt Memorial Ambulance, Inc. (with plates designated “car 5,” 26
providing ambulance service to any resident of the town of Bristol, incorporated October 17, 1923, 27
as a charitable corporation) ambulance; 28
(25) Narragansett Rescue Corps, Inc., ambulance; 29
(26) North Kingstown Ambulance Association, Inc. (incorporated July 23, 1943, as a 30
charitable corporation) ambulance; 31
(27) North Providence Chamber of Commerce Ambulance Service, Inc. (incorporated 32
March 15, 1947, as a charitable corporation) ambulance; 33
(28) North Smithfield Ambulance Association ambulances; 34
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(29) North Smithfield Ambulance and Rescue Association rescue wagon and rescue boat 1
trailer; 2
(30) Northern Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance Corps ambulance; 3
(31) Northern Rhode Island Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Teams (REACT) rescue 4
truck and other emergency vehicles; 5
(32) Public health league or district nursing association in any city or town in this state; 6
(33) Rhode Island American Legion, (incorporated January 29, 1941) first district 7
ambulance committee of the department ambulances; 8
(34) Rhode Island Association of Retarded Citizens, Northern Rhode Island Chapter motor 9
vehicles used for the transportation of retarded citizens; 10
(35) Rhode Island Association of Retarded Citizens, South County Chapter motor vehicles 11
used for the transportation of retarded children; 12
(36) Rhode Island Association for Retarded Children, Westerly-Chariho Chapter motor 13
vehicles to be used for the transportation of retarded children; 14
(37) Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ motor vehicles; 15
(38) Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation, Inc., vehicle; 16
(39) Rhode Island state departments’ or agencies’ motor vehicles, trailers, or semi-trailers; 17
(40) Roy Carpenter’s beach volunteer fire department, Matunuck ambulance; 18
(41) Salvation Army of Providence emergency canteen vehicle; 19
(42) Scituate Ambulance and Rescue Corps ambulances; 20
(43) South County Ambulance Corps, Inc. (incorporated October 28, 1939, as a charitable 21
corporation) ambulance; 22
(44) South Foster Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 ambulances; 23
(45) United States government motor vehicles; 24
(46) United States government-accredited motor vehicles owned by a representative of a 25
foreign country; 26
(47) United States mail rural free delivery driver-owned vehicles. This exemption applies 27
to the particular motor vehicle used in carrying that mail, and not to persons or concerns contracting 28
to carry the United States mail. The words “United States mail” must be plainly printed on two (2) 29
sides of that vehicle; 30
(48) Veterans of Foreign Wars bloodmobile; 31
(49) Veterans of Foreign Wars, Harold F. Flynn Post No. 263, Woonsocket ambulance; 32
(50) Volunteer ambulance or rescue corps ambulance or rescue vehicle of a city or town 33
used in transporting sick or injured patients; 34
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(51) Westerly Ambulance Corps boat-trailer; 1
(52) Westerly Ambulance Corps crash-truck; and 2
(53) Westerly Ambulance Corps ambulances. 3
(b) Each owner may be required to pay the cost price of the number plates or markers 4
required to be displayed on its vehicle. 5
SECTION 5. Section 33-5-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 33-5 entitled "Execution and 6
Revocation of Wills" is hereby amended to read as follows: 7
33-5-4. Nomination of guardian by will. 8
Every person authorized by law to make a will may nominate by his or her will a guardian 9
or guardians for his or her children during their minority, and a successor guardian or guardians for 10
persons who are retarded with intellectual or developmental disabilities as defined in chapter 22 of 11
title 40.1 for whom he or she had been appointed guardian during his or her lifetime, and the probate 12
court shall appoint the guardian or guardians unless good cause be shown to the contrary; provided, 13
that, in the case of husband and wife, the survivor, being otherwise qualified, shall be the guardian 14
of their children. 15
SECTION 6. Section 34-4-25 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-4 entitled "Estates in Real 16
Property" is hereby amended to read as follows: 17
34-4-25. Invalidity of certain restrictive covenants. 18
Since many mentally retarded and mentally disabled individuals with intellectual or 19
developmental disabilities or who are mentally disabled are able to live in the community with 20
some assistance, it is the public policy of the state of Rhode Island to establish community 21
residences in residential areas. Therefore, any restrictive covenant or other private legal 22
impediment which directly or indirectly prevents or restricts the establishment of licensed 23
community residences as defined in § 40.1-24-1 for eight (8) or fewer mentally retarded or mentally 24
disabled persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities shall be void and unenforceable as 25
to those community residences. 26
SECTION 7. Chapter 40.1-8 of the General Laws entitled "Governor’s Committee on 27
Mental Retardation" is hereby repealed in its entirety. 28
CHAPTER 40.1-8 29
Governor’s Committee on Mental Retardation 30
40.1-8-1. Creation — Members. 31
(a) There is hereby created a fourteen (14) member permanent committee to be known as 32
the “Governor’s Committee on Mental Retardation,” hereinafter referred to as “the committee”: 33
(1) Six (6) of whom shall be representatives of non-governmental organizations or groups 34
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concerned with education, employment, rehabilitation, welfare, and health, to be appointed by the 1
governor; 2
(2) Six (6) of whom shall be representatives of consumers who are mentally retarded, of 3
this group, three (3) of whom shall be selected from a list of nominees submitted by the RI ARC, 4
to be appointed by the governor; 5
(3) One of whom shall be from the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker; 6
(4) And one of whom shall be from the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate. 7
(b) The assistant director for developmental disabilities within the department of behavioral 8
healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals shall serve as an ex officio member but shall 9
not be eligible to vote. 10
(c) No employee of any state agency or institution engaged in the care or training of persons 11
who are mentally retarded shall be eligible for appointment to the committee. 12
40.1-8-2. Terms of appointment. 13
(a) Of the nonlegislative members appointed originally under this chapter, one-third (⅓) 14
shall be appointed for a term of one year; one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) 15
years; and one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. The two (2) legislative 16
members shall serve for the length of their current elected term in office and reappointment or 17
replacement shall be for like terms. Thereafter, vacancies created by the expiration of terms shall 18
be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be 19
reappointed to succeed themselves. 20
(b) Vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which appointed shall be 21
filled by appointment in like manner for the remainder of the term. 22
40.1-8-3. Appointment of officers and employees — Rules — Meetings. 23
(a) The governor shall designate one member of the committee to serve as its chairperson 24
during the governor’s term of office or until he or she appoints another member of the committee 25
to serve in that capacity. The committee shall elect annually, from among its members, a vice 26
chairperson, who shall serve as such until a successor is elected and who is authorized to act as 27
chairperson pro tempore of the committee during the absence of the chairperson or should there be 28
a vacancy for any cause in the office of the chairperson. The committee shall appoint an executive 29
secretary to serve as executive officer and secretary of the committee. The executive secretary may 30
be the employee of another agency of state government, appointed to serve as executive secretary 31
of the committee, with the consent of the executive office of the secretary’s own agency. 32
(b) The committee may appoint such other personnel as may be necessary for the efficient 33
performance of the duties prescribed by this chapter. 34
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(c) The committee shall make rules for the conduct of its affairs, and shall meet at least 1
bimonthly, and at other times upon the call of the chair or the written request of any two (2) 2
members. 3
40.1-8-4. Compensation and expenses of committee. 4
The members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their services as 5
committee members, but may, at the discretion of the governor, be reimbursed for traveling and 6
other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties. 7
40.1-8-5. Purpose of committee. 8
(a) It shall be the duty of the committee to work in cooperation with the President’s 9
Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and such other interested federal and state 10
agencies, private organizations, and community groups in promoting the amelioration of mental 11
retardation through the utilization of whatever community and state resources the committee may 12
deem necessary to accomplish this. 13
(b) The committee shall consider and advise the governor, through the office of mental 14
retardation, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, 15
on such mental retardation legislation and other retardation matters as its members, the governor, 16
the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, 17
and the assistant director for mental retardation may request; including, but not being limited to, 18
advising and consulting with the office of mental retardation concerning improving the care, 19
rehabilitation, and the training of mentally retarded persons, purchase of facilities, plans for 20
construction of mental retardation facilities and the administration of programs and facilities 21
(private and public) which receive state funds for the purpose of ameliorating mental retardation 22
and/or otherwise providing services for mentally retarded persons. 23
40.1-8-6. Authority to receive gifts. 24
The committee is authorized to receive any gifts, grants, or donations made for any of the 25
purposes of its program, and to disburse and administer the same in accordance with the terms 26
thereof. 27
SECTION 8. Section 40.1-24.5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-24.5 entitled 28
"Community Residences" is hereby amended to read as follows: 29
40.1-24.5-1. Definitions. 30
Whenever used in this chapter, or in any order, rule, or regulation made or promulgated 31
pursuant to this chapter or in any printed forms prepared by the department of behavioral healthcare, 32
developmental disabilities and hospitals in furtherance of this chapter, unless otherwise expressly 33
stated, or unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 34
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(1) “Community residence” means a place, such as a group home, however named, licensed 1
pursuant to chapter 24 of this title for the purpose of providing rehabilitation, psychological 2
support, skills training, social guidance, and living accommodations to individuals who are 3
mentally disabled, as defined by § 40.1-5-2; provided, however, that this definition shall not be 4
deemed to include places, however named, for persons with intellectual or developmental 5
disabilities, or who are mentally retarded, alcoholics, or drug abusers persons with substance use 6
disorders. 7
(2) “Director” means the head or the chief administrative officer of the community 8
residence, or his or her designee. 9
(3) “Grievance procedure” means the formalized process mandated by § 40.1-24.5-8 to 10
enable residents to register alleged violations of the resident’s rights assured by §§ 40.1-24.5-5 and 11
40.1-24.5-6. 12
(4) “Individualized service plan” means the document that sets forth specific services, such 13
as vocational, social, medical, psychiatric, and rehabilitative, that are structured to accomplish and 14
express short- and long-term goals and objectives responsive to the individual needs of the resident. 15
(5) “Mental health advocate” means and refers to the individual appointed by the governor 16
with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with § 40.1-5-14 and to his or her duly 17
appointed assistants. 18
(6) “Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, or association and 19
the legal successors in interest thereof. 20
(7) “Resident” means an individual of lawful age admitted to a community residence. 21
SECTION 9. Sections 40.1-21-4.3 and 40.1-21-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-21 22
entitled "Division of Developmental Disabilities" are hereby amended to read as follows: 23
40.1-21-4.3. Definitions. 24
As used in this chapter and in chapter 22 of this title the words: 25
(5)(1) “Developmentally disabled adult” "Adult with intellectual or developmental 26
disabilities" means a person, eighteen (18) years old or older and not under the jurisdiction of the 27
department of children, youth and families who is either a mentally retarded developmentally 28
disabled an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities or is a person with a severe, chronic 29
disability that: 30
(i) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical 31
impairments; 32
(ii) Is manifested before the person attains age twenty-two (22); 33
(iii) Is likely to continue indefinitely; 34
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(iv) Results in substantial functional limitations in three (3) or more of the following areas 1
of major life activity: 2
(A) Self care; 3
(B) Receptive and expressive language; 4
(C) Learning; 5
(D) Mobility; 6
(E) Self-direction; 7
(F) Capacity for independent living; 8
(G) Economic self-sufficiency; and 9
(v) Reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, 10
or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are 11
individually planned and coordinated. For purposes of funding, it is understood that students 12
enrolled in school will continue to receive education from their local education authority in 13
accordance with § 16-24-1 et seq. 14
(1)(2) “Ancillary services” means those services provided, and shall include, but not be 15
limited to, transportation, housing, housing adaptation, personal attendant care, and homemaker 16
services. 17
(2)(3) “Case management” means the implementation of an individual’s program by 18
providing information, by referral to appropriate service providers, by procurement of services, and 19
by the coordination of the necessary services. 20
(3)(4) “Department” means the Rhode Island department of behavioral healthcare, 21
developmental disabilities and hospitals. 22
(4)(5) “Developmental services” means those services provided to developmentally 23
disabled adults, and shall include, but not be limited to, habilitation and rehabilitation services, and 24
day services. 25
(6) “Diagnosis and evaluation” means a process to determine whether and to what extent 26
an individual is intellectually or developmentally disabled and a study of the individual’s condition, 27
situation, and needs that lead to a recommendation of what services, if any, would benefit the 28
individual. 29
(7) “Individualized program plan” or “general service plan” means a plan, however named, 30
that includes, but shall not be limited to, the following: 31
(i) An evaluation of the strengths, difficulties, needs, and goals of the individual; 32
(ii) A description of those services found to be necessary or appropriate to assist the 33
individual in realizing his or her potential for self-sufficiency in major life activities; 34
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(iii) A description of the agencies and/or individuals, who or that are proposed to provide 1
each of the recommended services; 2
(iv) The intermediate and long-range objectives for the individual’s development and 3
habilitation; 4
(v) The expected duration for the provision of the services; 5
(vi) A description of the tests and other evaluative devices used and their results; 6
(vii) Proposed criteria for monitoring and evaluating the success of the services in meeting 7
the individual’s needs; and 8
(viii) The signatures of the preparers of the plan and the date. 9
The individual program plan shall indicate developmental, supportive, or ancillary services 10
by function and frequency, the manner of subsidy and delivery and the categories of need for 11
services such as transportation, job training, or occupation, housing, housing adaptation, personal 12
attendant care, homemaker, or other services. This plan shall be reviewed at least annually; 13
provided, however, that authorizations for services and funding issued prior to July 1, 2011, are 14
null and void. Authorizations will be paid at the rate effective in the quarter the service was 15
provided. 16
(8) “Mentally retarded developmentally disabled adult” means a person eighteen (18) years 17
old or older and not under the jurisdiction of the department of children, youth and families, with 18
significant sub-average, general intellectual functioning two (2) standard deviations below the 19
norm, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the 20
developmental period. For purposes of funding, it is understood that students enrolled in school 21
will continue to receive education from their local education authority in accordance with § 16-22
24-1 et seq. 23
(9)(8) “Service broker” means that individual who assists in facilitating the connection 24
between the developmentally disabled person with intellectual or developmental disabilities and 25
the services required by the individual program plan. 26
(10)(9) “Subsidized access to service” means the provisions of financial resources through 27
vouchers to a developmentally disabled person with intellectual or developmental disabilities to 28
enable the person to gain access to appropriate generic and/or special services as required by the 29
individual program plan. 30
(11)(10) “Supportive services” means those services provided to developmentally disabled 31
adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and shall include, but not be limited to, 32
occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, counseling, nursing services, and 33
medical services. 34
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40.1-21-11. References to director or assistant director of social welfare. 1
Whenever, in any general or special law, reference is or shall be made to the director of 2
social welfare or the assistant director of social welfare for curative services pertaining to the 3
Doctor Joseph H. Ladd Center, programs, and services for people who are mentally retarded with 4
intellectual or developmental disabilities, the reference shall mean, and be construed to mean, the 5
director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. 6
SECTION 10. Sections 40.1-22-3 and 40.1-22-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-22 7
entitled "Developmental Disabilities" are hereby amended to read as follows: 8
40.1-22-3. Definitions. 9
Whenever used in this chapter, or in any order, rule, or regulation made or promulgated 10
pursuant to this chapter, or in the printed forms prepared by the director, unless otherwise expressly 11
stated, or unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 12
(1) “Client” means any developmentally disabled adult who is in potential need of, or is 13
receiving, services aimed at alleviating his or her condition of functional dependence. 14
(2) “Department” means the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental 15
disabilities and hospitals. 16
(3) “Development, education, rehabilitation, and care” means physical development, 17
application of these abilities to meaningful occupations, development of personal and social skills, 18
all of which are directed to the objective of independent living and self-maintenance. Care also 19
includes medical care, surgical attendance, medication, as well as food, clothing, supervision, and 20
maintenance furnished to a resident. 21
(4) “Director” means the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, 22
developmental disabilities and hospitals or his or her designees. 23
(5) “Facility” means any public or private facility, inpatient rehabilitation center, hospital, 24
institution, or other domiciliary facility, the office of developmental disabilities or any part thereof, 25
equipped to habilitate, on a residential basis, persons who are intellectually or developmentally 26
disabled and in need of residential care. This shall include any facility maintaining adequate staff 27
and facilities within the state providing in-residence supervision and habilitation and approved by 28
the director upon application of the facility. Included within this definition shall be all institutions 29
and facilities under the control and direction of the director. Nothing contained herein shall be 30
construed to amend or repeal any of the provisions of chapters 17 or 17.4 of title 23, or of chapter 31
15 of title 40, or of chapter 21 of this title or of chapter 72.1 of title 42. Whenever it shall be brought 32
to the attention of the director that any private facility may not have adequate staff, or facilities as 33
determined by regulations of the director, then the facility shall not be approved for the placement 34
LC001646/SUB A - Page 16 of 19
of developmentally disabled adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities under the 1
provisions of this chapter. 2
(6) “Notice” means written notice in as simple and non-technical language as practicable 3
as required by the department, or the court of competent jurisdiction. The notice shall be in writing 4
to the director of the department by registered or certified mail, return receipt required. Notice sent 5
to a client shall also include verbal reading of the written notice by duly authorized agents of the 6
department, and/or court. The agents shall make verified return of the oral notification as well as 7
the written. This requirement of oral notice to anyone alleged to be intellectually or 8
developmentally disabled shall be required because of the recognized limitation that many retarded 9
and developmentally disabled persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are unable to 10
comprehend written notices. 11
(7) “Objection.” If an objection is raised it shall be in writing, of a timely nature, and filed 12
with the clerk of the family or district court, a copy of which is to be sent to the director of the 13
department via registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. 14
(8) “Parent” means the natural, adoptive, foster parent or caretaker of the child. 15
(9) “Qualified intellectual disability professional (QIDP)” means a person as defined in 42 16
C.F.R. 483.430, as amended. 17
(10) “Team” means an interdisciplinary team which includes such professional personnel 18
designated by the director and which shall consist of no less than three (3) persons selected by order 19
of the director, no less than one of whom shall be a licensed physician, no less than one of whom 20
shall be a member of the social work profession, and no less than one of whom shall be a qualified 21
intellectual disability professional (QIDP). 22
40.1-22-9. Admission upon application of director, relative, or guardian. 23
(a)(1) Upon the application of the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, 24
developmental disabilities and hospitals or his or her designee, or of any relative, next of kin, or 25
legally designated guardian of a person alleged to be developmentally disabled, and in need of 26
immediate care and treatment, the superintendent or other official in charge of any facility may 27
receive the person; provided the application is accompanied by the certificate of one examining 28
physician; provided further, that the person alleged to be intellectually or developmentally disabled 29
does not object to admission, or that parents, guardian, spouse, or next of kin do not object if under 30
eighteen (18); and provided further, that the need for residential care shall be confirmed by the 31
facility by a team examination within twenty (20) days of admission. 32
(2) If objection is raised, by the person, or by the parent, guardian, spouse, or next of kin, 33
then the matter shall be heard as provided in § 40.1-22-10, so far as possible. 34
LC001646/SUB A - Page 17 of 19
(b) If upon examination at the facility by a team the need of the client for residential care 1
and treatment is not confirmed, the client shall be discharged. 2
(c) If upon examination by a team at the facility the need of the client for residential care 3
and treatment is confirmed and the client agrees to remain in the facility as a voluntary client, then 4
he or she shall be considered a voluntary client as of the date of his or her so agreeing. 5
(d) If upon examination at the facility the need of the client for residential care and 6
treatment is confirmed and the client, if over eighteen (18), declines or refuses to remain in the 7
facility as a voluntary client, then the certificate of a team supporting the application shall be filed 8
with the facility. The team may be on the staff of any facility as herein defined, but persons on this 9
team shall have no interest, directly or indirectly, in the assets or estate of the person who is 10
mentally retarded with intellectual or developmental disabilities, nor shall they be related to the 11
person by blood or marriage. The examination and certification shall be made no later than ten (10) 12
days from the date of the confirmation of the client’s need for hospitalization, care, and treatment 13
at the facility. 14
(e) From the time of his or her admission under the previous subsection, the retention of 15
the person for residential care and treatment shall be subject to the provisions for notice, hearing, 16
review, and judicial approval of continued retention or transfer and continued retention as provided 17
in this chapter. For the purposes of subsections (d) and (e) of this section, the date of admission of 18
the client shall be deemed to be the date of the second examination and certification. 19
(f) Failure to obtain the second certificate as required within the period specified shall result 20
in the discharge of client no later than twenty (20) days after his or her original admission to the 21
facility under the provisions of this chapter. 22
SECTION 11. Section 40.1-24.5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-24.5 entitled 23
"Community Residences" is hereby amended to read as follows: 24
40.1-24.5-1. Definitions. 25
Whenever used in this chapter, or in any order, rule, or regulation made or promulgated 26
pursuant to this chapter or in any printed forms prepared by the department of behavioral healthcare, 27
developmental disabilities and hospitals in furtherance of this chapter, unless otherwise expressly 28
stated, or unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 29
(1) “Community residence” means a place, such as a group home, however named, licensed 30
pursuant to chapter 24 of this title for the purpose of providing rehabilitation, psychological 31
support, skills training, social guidance, and living accommodations to individuals who are 32
mentally disabled, as defined by § 40.1-5-2; provided, however, that this definition shall not be 33
deemed to include places, however named, for persons who are mentally retarded with intellectual 34
LC001646/SUB A - Page 18 of 19
or developmental disabilities, alcoholics, or drug abusers or persons with substance use disorders. 1
(2) “Director” means the head or the chief administrative officer of the community 2
residence, or his or her designee. 3
(3) “Grievance procedure” means the formalized process mandated by § 40.1-24.5-8 to 4
enable residents to register alleged violations of the resident’s rights assured by §§ 40.1-24.5-5 and 5
40.1-24.5-6. 6
(4) “Individualized service plan” means the document that sets forth specific services, such 7
as vocational, social, medical, psychiatric, and rehabilitative, that are structured to accomplish and 8
express short- and long-term goals and objectives responsive to the individual needs of the resident. 9
(5) “Mental health advocate” means and refers to the individual appointed by the governor 10
with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with § 40.1-5-14 and to his or her duly 11
appointed assistants. 12
(6) “Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, or association and 13
the legal successors in interest thereof. 14
(7) “Resident” means an individual of lawful age admitted to a community residence. 15
SECTION 12. This act shall take effect upon passage. 16
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LC001646/SUB A - Page 19 of 19
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES -- STATUTES AND
STATUTORY CONSTRUCTI ON
***
This act would incorporate the use of appropriate disability language, by replacing the 1
terms "developmental disability" or "developmental disabilities" or "mentally retarded" or 2
"retarded" or "alcoholics" or "drug abusers" as used in the general laws, with the words, 3
"intellectual or developmental disability" or "person with an intellectual or developmental 4
disability, or persons with substance use disorders." 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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