Rep. Carson defends bill to replace “senior citizens” language and add aging representative to planning council

Representative Erin Carson defended House Bill 7496 on the floor March 24, saying the measure changes dated language and makes structural adjustments to statewide aging policy.

"I wanted to make a few remarks to the chamber about this bill," Carson said, describing public criticism she received and explaining the bill’s goals. "We tend to refer to older people as senior citizens and with that comes a whole lot of baggage," she told colleagues, saying the change to "older Rhode Islanders" is intended to reduce ageism in law and culture.

Carson said the bill also would add an 'aging Rhode Islander' seat to the statewide planning council and direct a review of the long‑term coordinating council to inform future policy. She said those structural changes grew out of work by the Aging Study Commission and testimony from the director of the University of Rhode Island Department of Gerontology.

The bill was moved and seconded on the floor; with no other lights, the clerk reported the roll: the measure passed 67 in favor and 2 opposed.

Carson told the chamber she understood the measure had drawn strong reactions but said the changes are focused on how officials and programs talk about and plan for older residents. The House concluded consideration of the calendar immediately after the vote; the item will be transmitted according to regular procedures.