Establishes, encourages and supports the establishment of family councils and resident councils in managed residential communities providing assisted living services.

Rhode Island Assisted Living Councils Bill

This bill would create a formal structure for family councils and resident councils in Rhode Island's assisted living communities. A resident council would be a group made up of the people actually living in an assisted living facility, while a family council would bring together the family members and loved ones of residents. The bill establishes, encourages, and supports the formation of these groups as an official part of how assisted living communities operate.

The bill would affect residents of assisted living facilities, their families, and the facilities themselves. For residents and families, it would give them an organized, recognized way to raise concerns, share feedback, and have a voice in how their community is run. Assisted living facilities would be expected to support and work with these councils, giving residents and families more direct involvement in decisions that affect their daily lives and care.

This type of legislation is generally aimed at improving transparency and communication between assisted living facilities and the people they serve. By formalizing these councils, the bill creates a built-in channel for residents and families to speak up collectively — rather than individually — about things like care quality, facility policies, activities, and other day-to-day matters. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.