2017 -- H 5577

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LC000155

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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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 STUDY THE OPERATION OF

THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Lombardi, Vella-Wilkinson, Diaz, and Barros

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members: two (2) of whom shall be members of the House of

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

of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Department of Human Services; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Alliance

of Social Service Employees, Local 580, or designee; one of whom shall be the Chief Judge of

the Rhode Island Family Court, or designee; one of whom shall be the a representative from the

Rhode Island Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, to be appointed by the Chief Judge of

the Rhode Island Family Court; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Public Defender, or

designee; one of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association experienced in the

general practice of law, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a

member of the public who has contact with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, to

be appointed by the Executive Director of Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE); and

three (3) of whom shall be members of the general public, 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 consent to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to restore the trust and confidence of the general

public and those families involved with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The

study shall include, but not be limited to, a review of all department rules, policies, regulations,

staffing procedures, protocols, disciplinary procedures, and internal investigation procedures, at

and on all levels of the department.

     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, from among the legislators, 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.

     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 General Assembly no later than January 9, 2018, and said commission shall expire on March

9, 2018.

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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 STUDY THE OPERATION OF

THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

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     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member special legislative

commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the operation

of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and who would report back to the

House of Representatives no later than January 9, 2018, and whose life shall expire on

March 9, 2018.

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