AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS (Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.)

H7056

2026 -- H 7056
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LC003891
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Introduced By:
Representatives Spears, Cotter, McGaw, Dawson, Boylan, Kazarian,
Shanley, Caldwell, Read, and DeSimone

Date Introduced:
January 09, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 32-1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-1 entitled "General
2
Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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32-1-17. Persons with disabilities.
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No fee shall be charged any person with a disability regardless of age, or to automobiles
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transporting a non-driver with a disability, at any recreational facility owned and operated by the
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state; provided, however, proper identification is presented as prescribed by the department of
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environmental management. For the purpose of this section “person with a disability” shall mean
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an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and is
receiving
:
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(a)
Social

Receiving social
security disability benefits (SSDI);
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(b)
Supplemental

Receiving supplemental
security income benefits (SSI); or
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(c)
Veterans

Receiving veterans
benefits and who shall be determined under applicable
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federal law by the federal department of veterans’ affairs to be one hundred percent (100%)
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disabled through a service-connected disability
.
;or
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(d) Determined by the executive office of health and human services, or its designee, to be
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disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.
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For purpose of this section, “fees” shall include all fees for parking, admittance, or other
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user fees for playing golf. The term “fees” shall not include licensing fees, camping fees, picnic
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table fees, or specialized facility use fees, including, but not limited to, fees for the use of equestrian
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areas, performing arts centers, game fields, and mule shed.

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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 PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS
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This act would add to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any
2
recreational facility owned and operated by the state, those individuals determined by the executive
3
office of health and human services, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid
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eligibility.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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