2016 -- S 2991

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LC005958

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- TERMINATION OF

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

     Introduced By: Senators Pagliarini, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 36-16-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-16 entitled

"Termination of Employment Contracts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     36-16-1. State employment contracts -- Prohibitions. -- (a) No state agency,

department of government, commission, board, authority, public corporation, governmental or

quasi-governmental body, autonomous or otherwise, which is created by authority of the general

assembly, executive order, or state law, shall enter into any contract or agreement with any

individual, firm, or partnership which provides for any of the following upon termination of

employment:

      (1) Termination damages or benefits, including continuation of salary or other

compensation for more than six (6) months two (2) weeks from the date of termination;

      (2) Severance pay, excepting accrued vacation pay, sick leave benefits, or health care

benefits, for more than one year two (2) weeks from the date of termination;

      (3) Mandatory hiring, payment, or compensation for work performed or services

rendered as a consultant or in any other capacity following termination; or

      (4) Which provides for a contract term in excess of three (3) years.

      (b) This section shall not apply to collective bargaining agreements entered into between

an employer and a labor organization as defined in § 28-7-3.

     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 PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- TERMINATION OF

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

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     This act would reduce the period of time that a state employee, under contract, could

receive benefits (including salary) after termination from six (6) months to two (2) weeks and

would also reduce maximum severance pay from one year to two (2) weeks.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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