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art.015/3/015/2

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     ARTICLE 15 AS AMENDED

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

     SECTION 1. Section 8-8-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-8 entitled "District Court"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     8-8-1. District Court established -- Chief and associate justices. -- There is established

a district court for the state of Rhode Island which shall consist of a chief judge and twelve (12)

thirteen (13) associate judges. The district court shall be a court of record and shall have a seal

with such words and devices as it shall adopt.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 8-8 of the General Laws entitled "District Court" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     8-8-1.1. Veterans' treatment calendar. – (a) Findings and declarations. The general

assembly finds and declares as follows:

     (1) Veterans and active military, Reserve and National Guard service members have

provided or are currently providing an invaluable service to our country. In doing so, many return

and suffer from mental health injuries, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress

disorder, depression, anxiety, acute stress and other injuries that may affect brain function and

may also suffer drug and alcohol dependency or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse

problems.

     (2) The call back to active duty status rate of Rhode Island's National Guard is the second

highest in the entire United States with over ten thousand (10,000) unit deployments.

     (3) The number of veterans living in Rhode Island who have served in the Gulf Wars is

three (3) times higher than the national per capita average and is expected to grow as troops

continue to withdraw from Afghanistan.

     (4) While the vast majority of returning military do not have contact with the justice

system and are well adjusted, contributing members of society, there exists a growing number of

defendants appearing in the district court who have served in the United States armed forces and

are involved in the criminal justice system as a result of the above referenced diagnoses.

     (5) As a grateful state, we must continue to honor the service of these participants by

providing them an alternative to incarceration when feasible, permitting them instead to obtain

proper treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems that have resulted from military

service through a jail diversion program/treatment program that recognizes their special set of

circumstances while at the same time providing accountability for their wrong-doing and

providing for the safety of the public.

     (b) Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode

Island to successfully rehabilitate participants by providing the tools and skills necessary to

address their unique challenges and to develop the insight to reintegrate successfully into society

and maintain a productive and law abiding lifestyle within the community.

     (c) Establishment. To accomplish this purpose in an effort to direct defendants who have

served in the United States armed forces into a court program which integrates support and

treatment plans with the judicial process that will result in potential jail diversion, possible

reduction of charges or alternatives in sentencing, there shall be established a separate calendar

within the jurisdiction of the district court for hearing, trial and disposition of certain offenses.

     (d) Veterans' treatment calendar. The chief judge of the district court shall create a

veterans' treatment calendar in the district court and shall assign personnel to the extent warranted

to exclusively hear and decide all criminal actions involving offenses committed by defendants

accepted into the program, and the calendar shall be referred to as the "veterans' treatment court".

     (e) Use of section. Under no circumstances shall the defendant(s) be permitted to use this

section as a basis for a dismissal of an action, as this section is enacted for the benefit and

convenience of the district court.

     SECTION 3. Sections 36-4-2 and 36-4-16.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled

"Merit System" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     36-4-2. Positions in unclassified service. -- (a) The classified service shall comprise all

positions in the state service now existing or hereinafter established, except the following specific

positions which with other positions heretofore or hereinafter specifically exempted by legislative

act shall constitute the unclassified service:

      (1) Officers and legislators elected by popular vote and persons appointed to fill

vacancies in elective offices.

      (2) Employees of both houses of the general assembly.

      (3) Officers, secretaries, and employees of the office of the governor, office of the

lieutenant governor, department of state, department of the attorney general, and the treasury

department.

      (4) Members of boards and commissions appointed by the governor, members of the

state board of elections and the appointees of the board, members of the commission for human

rights and the employees of the commission, and directors of departments.

      (5) The following specific offices:

      (i) In the department of administration: director, chief information officer; director of

office of management and budget, and director of performance management, deputy director,

chief of staff, public information officer and legislative/policy director; and within the health

benefits exchange: director, deputy director, administrative assistant, senior policy analyst, and

chief strategic planning monitoring and evaluation;

      (ii) In the department of business regulation: director;

      (iii) In the department of elementary and secondary education: commissioner of

elementary and secondary education;

      (iv) In the department of higher education: commissioner of higher postsecondary

education;

      (v) In the department of health: director, executive director, and deputy director;

      (vi) In the department of labor and training: director, administrative assistant,

administrator of the labor board and legal counsel to the labor board, executive director and

communications director;

      (vii) In the department of environmental management: director;

      (viii) In the department of transportation: director, chief operating officer,

administrator/division of project management, administrator/division of planning, chief of staff,

communications director, legislative director and policy director;

      (ix) In the department of human services: director and director of veterans' affairs;

      (x) In the state properties committee: secretary;

      (xi) In the workers' compensation court: judges, administrator, deputy administrator,

clerk, assistant clerk, clerk secretary;

      (xii) In the division of elderly affairs: director;

      (xiii) In the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

hospitals: director;

      (xiv) In the department of corrections: director, assistant director

(institutions/operations), assistant director (rehabilitative services), assistant director

(administration), and wardens;

      (xv) In the department of children, youth and families: director, one assistant director,

one associate director, and one executive director, and a chief of staff;

      (xvi) In the public utilities commission: public utilities administrator;

      (xvii) In the water resources board: general manager;

      (xviii) In the human resources investment council: executive director.

      (xix) In the office of health and human services: secretary of health and human services.

     (xx) In the office of commerce: secretary, deputy secretary, chief of staff,

communications director, legislative director, and policy director.

      (6) Chief of the hoisting engineers, licensing division, and his or her employees;

executive director of the veterans memorial building and his or her clerical employees.

      (7) One confidential stenographic secretary for each director of a department and each

board and commission appointed by the governor.

      (8) Special counsel, special prosecutors, regular and special assistants appointed by the

attorney general, the public defender and employees of his or her office, and members of the

Rhode Island bar occupying a position in the state service as legal counsel to any appointing

authority.

      (9) The academic and/or commercial teaching staffs of all state institution schools, with

the exception of those institutions under the jurisdiction of the board of regents for elementary

and secondary education and the board of governors for higher education.

      (10) Members of the military or naval forces, when entering or while engaged in the

military or naval service.

      (11) Judges, referees, receivers, clerks, assistant clerks, and clerical assistants of the

supreme, superior, family, and district courts, the traffic tribunal, security officers of the traffic

tribunal, jurors and any persons appointed by any court.

      (12) Election officials and employees.

      (13) Deputy sheriffs and other employees of the sheriffs division within the department

of public safety.

      (14) Patient or inmate help in state charitable, penal, and correctional institutions and

religious instructors of these institutions and student nurses in training, residents in psychiatry in

training, and clinical clerks in temporary training at the institute of mental health within the state

of Rhode Island medical center.

      (15) (i) Persons employed to make or conduct a temporary and special inquiry,

investigation, project or examination on behalf of the legislature or a committee therefor, or on

behalf of any other agency of the state if the inclusion of these persons in the unclassified service

is approved by the personnel administrator. The personnel administrator shall notify the house

fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor whenever he or she approves the inclusion of a person

in the unclassified service.

      (ii) The duration of the appointment of a person, other than the persons enumerated in

this section, shall not exceed ninety (90) days or until presented to the department of

administration. The department of administration may extend the appointment another ninety (90)

days. In no event shall the appointment extend beyond one hundred eighty (180) days.

      (16) Members of the division of state police within the department of public safety.

      (17) Executive secretary of the Blackstone Valley district commission.

      (18) Artist and curator of state owned art objects.

      (19) Mental health advocate.

      (20) Child advocate.

      (21) The position of aquaculture coordinator and marine infrastructure specialist within

the coastal resources management council.

      (22) Employees of the office of the health insurance commissioner.

      (23) In the department of revenue: the director, secretary, attorney.

      (24) In the department of public safety: the director.

     (b) Provided however that, if any position added to the unclassified service by legislative

act after January 1, 2015, is occupied by a classified employee on June 30, 2015, such position

shall remain in the classified service until such position becomes vacant.

     36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors. -- (a) In the month of March of each year, the

department of administration shall conduct a public hearing to determine salaries to be paid to

directors of all state executive departments for the following year, at which hearing all persons

shall have the opportunity to provide testimony, orally and in writing. In determining these

salaries, the department of administration will take into consideration the duties and

responsibilities of the aforenamed officers, as well as such related factors as salaries paid

executive positions in other states and levels of government, and in comparable positions

anywhere which require similar skills, experience, or training. Consideration shall also be given

to the amounts of salary adjustments made for other state employees during the period that pay

for directors was set last.

      (b) Each salary determined by the department of administration will be in a flat amount,

exclusive of such other monetary provisions as longevity, educational incentive awards, or other

fringe additives accorded other state employees under provisions of law, and for which directors

are eligible and entitled.

      (c) In no event will the department of administration lower the salaries of existing

directors during their term of office.

      (d) Upon determination by the department of administration, the proposed salaries of

directors will be referred to the general assembly by the last day in April of that year to go into

effect thirty (30) days hence, unless rejected by formal action of the house and the senate acting

concurrently within that time.

     (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for 2015 only, the time period for the

Department of Administration to conduct the public hearing shall be extended to July and the

proposed salaries shall be referred to the general assembly by August 30. The salaries may take

effect before next year, but all other provisions of this section shall apply.

     SECTION 4. Section 37-5-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-5 entitled "Department

of Transportation" is hereby repealed.

     37-5-5. Highway engineer as deputy director. -- The director of transportation shall

appoint a deputy director who shall be a highway engineer.

     SECTION 5. Section 42-13-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-13 entitled "Department

of Transportation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-13-2. Organization and functions of the department. -- (a) The department shall be

organized into such divisions as are described in this section and such other divisions,

subdivisions, and agencies as the director shall find are necessary to carry out the responsibilities

of the department.

      (1) Division of administration. - This division shall be headed by an assistant director for

administration. The division shall provide assistance to the director in managing and controlling

the work of the department, shall collect bridge tolls and administer any financial support made

available to support railroad passenger or freight service. The division of administration shall

include:

      (i) A business management office which shall provide central personnel, financial

programming, payroll, and other management services to all divisions and agencies of the

department.

      (ii) A legal counsel who shall prepare or review any legislation pertaining to the

department, assist in preparing contracts, handle claims against the department, and provide other

legal services as required.

      (iii) A public information office which shall inform the public of the programs and

projects of the department, answer inquiries by the public, prepare and release progress reports

and other publications, and provide photographic services.

      (iv) An audits office which shall continuously audit all of the activities of the department

and insure compliance with state and federal laws and administrative regulations.

      (v) A property management office which shall acquire all real property for the

department, make appraisals of property, manage real property under the department's

jurisdiction, and operate a family and business relocation program. The property management

office shall manage those state piers and related facilities which are used for port or waterways

transportation purposes.

      (2) Planning division. - This division shall be headed by a chief of transportation

planning. The division shall assist the division of planning in the department of administration to

prepare transportation elements of the long-range state guide plan. The division will prepare

functional and area plans, project plans, improvement programs, and implementation programs

which are consistent with the long-range state guide plan. The division will undertake corridor,

route location, feasibility, facility needs, and other studies as required to support the work of the

department. The division shall collect and analyze statistical and other data on all types of

transportation needs and facilities.

      (3) Public works division. - This division shall be headed by a chief engineer. The

division shall be responsible for the design and engineering of roads, bridges, transit facilities,

airport facilities, port and waterways facilities, and all other transportation facilities. The division

shall prepare contracts and specifications for all construction projects undertaken by the

department. The division shall supervise the execution of all construction projects. The division

shall perform traffic engineering functions, make surveys and soil studies, test materials, and

perform other functions necessary to support the department's design and construction activities.

      (4) Maintenance division. - This division shall be headed by a maintenance engineer.

The division shall maintain all roads, bridges, airports, piers, port terminal facilities, and other

transportation facilities and landscaped areas which are under the jurisdiction of the department

of transportation. The division shall install and maintain traffic control signs and signals.

      (5) Airports division. - This division shall be headed by an assistant director for airports.

The division shall operate all state-owned airports, heliports, and other facilities for air

transportation, including passenger and cargo terminals, parking facilities and other supporting

facilities, emergency services, and security services. The division shall regulate aeronautical

matters and shall supervise the location, maintenance, operation, and use of privately-owned civil

airports, landing areas, navigation facilities, air schools, and flying clubs.

      (b) The director may assign such other responsibilities to the divisions and agencies as

he or she shall find appropriate and may reassign functions to divisions and agencies other than as

set out in this section if he or she shall find this reassignment necessary to the proper and efficient

functioning of the department or of the state's transportation system. (a) The department shall be

organized in accordance with a project management-based program and shall utilize an asset

management system.

     (1) A project management-based program, manages the delivery of the department's

portfolio of transportation improvement projects from project conception to the project

completion. Project management activities include:

     (i) Managing and reporting on the delivery status of portfolio projects;

     (ii) Developing overall workload and budget for the portfolio;

     (iii) Developing and implementing the tools to estimate the resources necessary to deliver

the projects; and

     (iv) Developing and implementing processes and tools to improve the management of the

projects.

     (2) Asset management is the process used for managing transportation infrastructure by

improving decision making for resource allocation. Asset management activities include a

systemic process based on economic, engineering and business principles which includes the

following functions:

     (i) Completing a comprehensive inventory of system assets;

     (ii) Monitoring system performance; and

     (iii) Performing analysis utilizing accurate data for managing various assets within the

transportation network.

     (b) The director of transportation shall appoint a chief operating officer to oversee the

day-to-day operations of the department.

     (c) The department shall be organized into such divisions as are described in this section

and such other divisions, subdivision, and agencies as the director shall find are necessary to

carry out the responsibilities of the department, including: office of audit; division of finance;

division of planning; division of project management; division of operations and maintenance;

office of civil rights; office of safety; office of external affairs; office of legal; office of personnel;

office of information services.

     (d) The director may assign such other responsibilities as he or she shall find appropriate

and may reassign functions other than as set out in this section if he or she finds the reassignment

necessary to the proper and efficient functioning of the department or of the state's transportation

system.

     (e) The department shall submit a report annually no later than March 31 to the speaker

of the house, the president of the senate, and the house and senate fiscal advisors concerning the

status of the ten (10) year transportation plan.

     SECTION 6. Section 42-75-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-75 entitled "Council

on the Arts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-75-12. Rhode Island film and television office. -- Within the department of

administration Rhode Island Council on the Arts there is established a separate, distinct office

entitled the "Rhode Island film and television office." This office is established in order to

promote and encourage film and television productions within the state of Rhode Island. This

office is also responsible for the review of applications of motion picture productions pursuant to

the requirements of chapter 31.2 of title 44.

     SECTION 7. This article shall take effect upon passage.