2014 -- H 7669

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LC003676

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ISSUES OF

FAIRNESS IN THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF CERTAIN FACULTY MEMBERS AND

EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Dickinson, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of five (5) members: all of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a member of

the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing a district which includes the campus of

the University of Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment, consents to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to investigate issues of fairness at the University

of Rhode Island in the hiring and retention of faculty and employees based on their sexual

orientation and/or gender identity.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     Each member of the commission is hereby authorized and empowered to administer

oaths; and the commission, in all cases of every nature pending before it, is hereby authorized and

empowered to summon and examine witnesses and to compel the production and examination of

papers, books, accounts, documents, records, certificates, and other legal evidence that may be

necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question before the discharge of

any duty required by law of the commission. All subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be

signed by the chairperson, and shall be served as subpoenas are served in civil cases in the

superior court. If any person fails to obey the command of the subpoena, without reasonable

cause, or if a person in attendance before the commission shall, without reasonable cause, refuse

to be sworn, or to be examined, or to order returnable in not less than two (2) nor more than (5)

days, directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt, the

commission may punish any contempt of its authority in like manner as contempt may be

punished by any court. Any person who shall willfully swear falsely in any proceeding, matter,

or hearing before the commission shall be guilty of a felony.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than May 1, 2014, and said commission shall expire on

October 1, 2014.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ISSUES OF

FAIRNESS IN THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF CERTAIN FACULTY MEMBERS AND

EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would create a five (5) member special legislative investigative

commission whose purpose it would be to investigate issues of fairness at the University of

Rhode Island in the hiring and retention of faculty and employees based on their sexual

orientation and or gender identity.

     The special legislative investigative commission would report back to the House no later

than May 1, 2014, and whose life would expire on October 1, 2014.

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LC003676

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