2014 -- S 2577

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LC004680

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS

REGULATION

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Picard, Metts, Gallo, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-14-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-14 entitled "Department

of Business Regulation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-14-2. Functions of department. -- (a) It shall be the function of the department of

business regulation:

      (1) To regulate and control banking and insurance, foreign surety companies, sale of

securities, building and loan associations, fraternal benefit and beneficiary societies;

      (2) To regulate and control the manufacture, transportation, possession, and sale of

alcoholic beverages;

      (3) To license and regulate the manufacture and sale of articles of bedding, upholstered

furniture, and filling materials.

      (b) Whenever any hearing is required or permitted to be held pursuant to law or

regulation of the department of business regulation, and whenever no statutory provision exists

providing that notice be given to interested parties prior to the hearing, no such hearing shall be

held without notice in writing being given at least ten (10) days prior to such hearing to all

interested parties. For purposes of this section, an "interested party" shall be deemed to include

the party subject to regulation hereunder, the Rhode Island consumers' council, and any party

entitled to appear at the hearing. Notice to the party that will be subject to regulation, the Rhode

Island consumers' council [Repealed] and any party who has made known his or her intention to

appear at the hearing shall be sufficient if it be in writing and mailed, first class mail, to the party

at his or her regular business address. Notice to the general public shall be sufficient hereunder if

it be by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality affected by the

regulation.

     (c) The department of business regulation shall create clear processes and standards for

evaluating prior training, skills, and education of foreign-trained professionals in consultation

with the board of education and/or other state agencies as appropriate. The department shall

report to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on its plans

and progress by June 30, 2015 and annually thereafter until the process is instituted.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS

REGULATION

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     This act would require the department of business regulation to create processes and

standards to evaluate the skills and education of foreign-trained professionals.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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