2014 -- S 3125

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LC005987

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING THE "SPECIAL SENATE TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EVALUATION AND

CERTIFICATION OF FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS"

     

     Introduced By: Senator Juan M.Pichardo

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2014

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, Each year, countless immigrants come to Rhode Island with training and

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professional certifications from their country of origin but cannot practice their profession

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because they lack similar certification from the state; and

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     WHEREAS, Among these individuals are trained pharmacists, nurses, and doctors who

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cannot practice due to a lack of US and RI certifications; and

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     WHEREAS, Helping such professionals obtain in-state certification can help address the

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great need for talented health professionals in Rhode Island, particularly those with cultural and

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language competencies; and

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     WHEREAS, Helping other similarly-certified professionals can help close labor

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shortages in other industries, such as the skilled trades and manufacturing; and

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     WHEREAS, Proper review and certification processes for foreign-trained

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professionals  can help ensure professional competency and protect public health and well-being

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as well as provide a real economic benefit to the state through increased earning capacity, tax

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revenue, and economic vitality; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to programs such as the Welcome Back Center at

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Dorcas Place, which has been successful in helping foreign-trained professionals in the healthcare

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field overcome barriers to employment such as learning English, navigating Rhode Island’s

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licensure and test-taking requirements, and becoming familiar with the U.S. health care system;

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now therefore be it

 

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     RESOLVED, That the "Special Senate Task Force to Study the Evaluation and

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Certification of Foreign-Trained Professionals," be and the same is hereby created consisting of

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seven (7) members: one of whom shall be a member of the Senate, to be appointed by the

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President of the Senate, who shall serve as chair; one of whom shall be the Director of the

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Department of Business Regulation, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

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Department of Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

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Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Higher Education,

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or designee; one of whom shall be shall be the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode

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Island, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Director of the Welcome Back Center at

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Dorcas Place, or designee. 

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

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

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

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of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

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

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     The purpose of said task force shall be to undertake a comprehensive study regarding the

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feasibility, challenges, and opportunities of establishing of a statewide system for evaluating and

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certifying prior training, skills, and education of foreign-trained professionals.

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

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call of the Senate President.

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

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

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

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documentary and otherwise, to said task force  and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

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by the task force to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

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suitable quarters for said task force; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

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Senate on or before March 4, 2015, and said commission shall expire on July 1, 2015.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING THE "SPECIAL SENATE TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EVALUATION AND

CERTIFICATION OF FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS"

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     This resolution would create a seven (7) member special senate task force whose purpose

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it would be to study the evaluation and certification of foreign-trained professionals, and who

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would report back to the Senate no later than March 4, 2015, and whose life would expire on July

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1, 2015.    

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LC005987

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