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art.004/11/004/9/004/8/004/7/004/6/004/5/004/4/004/3/004/2/004/1

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     ARTICLE 4

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION

     SECTION 1. Sections 5-65-1, 5-65-3, 5-65-7.1, 5-65-10, 5-65-15, 5-65-15.1 and 5-65-20

of the General Laws in Chapter 5-65 entitled "Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board" are

hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-65-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Board" means the contractors' registration and licensing board established pursuant to

the provisions of § 5-65-14 or its designees.

     (2) "Claim for retainage" means an allegation that a person seeking payment of retainage

breached the person's contract for the project; provided, however, that a "claim" related to a project

with a contract value of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be subject

to the applicable dispute resolution procedure, notice, and other requirements in the contract for

construction.

     (3) "Commission" means the building code commission supportive of the contractors'

registration and licensing board.

     (4)(3)(i) "Contractor" means a person who, in the pursuit of an independent business,

undertakes or offers to undertake or submits a bid, or for compensation and with or without the

intent to sell the structure arranges to construct, alter, repair, improve, move over public highways,

roads, or streets or demolish a structure or to perform any work in connection with the construction,

alteration, repair, improvement, moving over public highways, roads, or streets or demolition of a

structure, and the appurtenances thereto. For the purposes of this chapter, "appurtenances" includes

the installation, alteration, or repair of wells connected to a structure consistent with chapter 13.2

of title 46. "Contractor" includes, but is not limited to, any person who purchases or owns property

and constructs, or for compensation arranges for the construction of, one or more structures.

     (ii) A certificate of registration is necessary for each "business entity" regardless of the fact

that each entity may be owned by the same individual.

     (5)(4) "Contract for construction" means a contract for which a lien may be established

under chapter 28 of title 34 or for state or municipal public works projects as defined in title 37 on

a project for which the person on whose contract with the project owner has an original contract

price of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); provided, however, that

"contract for construction" shall not include a project containing, or designed to contain, at least

one, but not more than four (4), dwelling units.

     (6)(5) "Deliverable" means a project close-out document that shall be submitted by the

person seeking payment of retainage under the person's contract for construction; provided,

however, that a lien waiver or release, which is a deliverable, shall comply with chapter 28 of title

34; provided, further, that "deliverable" shall not include any document affirming, certifying, or

confirming completion or correction of labor, materials, or other items furnished or incomplete or

defective work.

     (7)(6) "Dwelling unit" means a single unit providing complete independent living facilities

for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and

sanitation.

     (8)(7) "Hearing officer" means a person designated by the executive director director of

the department of business regulation or the director’s designee to hear contested claims or cases,

contested enforcement proceedings, and contested administrative fines, in accordance with the

"administrative procedures act", chapter 35 of title 42.

     (9)(8) "Incomplete or defective work" means labor, materials, or any other item required

for full performance by a person seeking payment of retainage that remains to be furnished by the

person under the person's contract for construction or that has been furnished by the person but

requires correction, repair, further completion, revision, or replacement; provided, however, that

"incomplete or defective work" shall not include deliverables or labor, materials, or any other item

to be repaired or replaced after substantial or final completion pursuant to a warranty, guarantee,

or other contractual obligation to correct defective work after substantial or final completion.

     (10)(9) "Monetary damages" means the dollar amount required in excess of the contract

amount necessary to provide the claimant with what was agreed to be provided under the terms of

the contract reduced by any amount due and unpaid to the respondent inclusive of any and all

awards and restitution.

     (10) "Office" means the state building office.

     (11) "Person" means any natural person, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other

business or legal entity who or that enters into a contract for construction.

     (12) "Prime contractor" means a person who or that enters into a contract for construction

with the project owner.

     (13) "Retainage" means a portion or percentage of a payment due pursuant to a contract

for construction that is withheld to ensure full performance of the contract for construction.

     (14) "Staff" means the executive director for the contractors' registration and licensing

board, and any other staff necessary to carry out the powers, functions, and duties of the board

including inspectors, hearing officers, and other supportive staff.

     (15) "State" means the state of Rhode Island.

     (16) "Structure" means (i) Any commercial building; or (ii) Any building containing one

or more residences and their appurtenances. The board's dispute resolution process shall apply only

to residential structures containing dwelling units, as defined in the state building code, or

residential portions of other types of buildings without regard to how many units any structure may

contain. The board retains jurisdiction and may conduct hearings regarding violations against all

contractors required to be registered or licensed by the board.

     (17) "Substantially" means any violation that affects the health, safety, and welfare of the

general public.

     (18) "Substantial completion" means the stage in the progress of the project when the work

required by the contract for construction with the project owner is sufficiently complete in

accordance with the contract for construction so that the project owner may occupy or utilize the

work for its intended use; provided, further, that "substantial completion" may apply to the entire

project or a phase of the entire project if the contract for construction with the project owner

expressly permits substantial completion to apply to defined phases of the project.

     5-65-3. Registration for work on a structure required of contractor -- Issuance of

building permits to unregistered or unlicensed contractors prohibited -- Evidence of activity

as a contractor -- Duties of contractors.

     (a) A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a

contractor on a structure or arrange to have work done unless that person has a current, valid

certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board. A partnership, corporation,

or joint venture may do the work; offer to undertake the work; or submit a bid to do the work only

if that partnership, corporation, or joint venture is registered for the work. In the case of registration

by a corporation or partnership, an individual shall be designated to be responsible for the

corporation's or partnership's work. The corporation or partnership and its designee shall be jointly

and severally liable for the payment of the registration fee, as required in this chapter, and for

violations of any provisions of this chapter. Disciplinary action taken on a registration held by a

corporation, partnership, or sole proprietor may affect other registrations held by the same

corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship, and may preclude future registration by the

principal of that business entity.

     (b) A registered partnership or corporation shall notify the board in writing immediately

upon any change in partners or corporate officers.

     (c) A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be

registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid certificate of registration

identification card or valid license that shall be presented at the time of issuance of a permit and

shall become a condition of a valid permit. Each city, town, or the state that requires the issuance

of a permit as a condition precedent to construction, alteration, improvement, demolition,

movement, or repair of any building or structure or the appurtenance to the structure shall also

require that each applicant for the permit file, as a condition to issuing the permit, a written affidavit

subject to the penalties of perjury, subscribed by the applicant, that the applicant is registered under

the provisions of this chapter, giving the number of the registration and stating that the registration

is in full force and effect, or, if the applicant is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, listing

the basis for the exemption. The city, town, or the state shall list the contractor's registration number

on the permit obtained by that contractor, and if a homeowner is issued a permit, the building

inspector or official must ascertain registration numbers of each contractor on the premises and

shall inform the registration board of any non-registered contractors performing work at the site.

     (d) Every city and town that requires the issuance of a business license as a condition

precedent to engaging, within the city or town, in a business that is subject to regulation under this

chapter, shall require that each licensee and each applicant for issuance or renewal of the license

file, or has on file, with the city or town a signed statement that the licensee or applicant is registered

under the provisions of this chapter and stating that the registration is in full force and effect.

     (e) It shall be prima facie evidence of doing business as a contractor when a person for that

person's own use performs, employs others to perform, or for compensation and with the intent to

sell the structure, arranges to have performed any work described in § 5-65-1(4) if within any one

twelve-month (12) period that person offers for sale one or more structures on which that work was

performed.

     (f) Registration under this chapter shall be prima facie evidence that the registrant conducts

a separate, independent business.

     (g) The provisions of this chapter shall be exclusive and no city or town shall require or

shall issue any registrations or licenses nor charge any fee for the regulatory registration of any

contractor registered with the board. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or abridge the authority

of any city or town to license and levy and collect a general and nondiscriminatory license fee

levied upon all businesses, or to levy a tax based upon business conducted by any firm within the

city or town's jurisdiction, if permitted under the laws of the state.

     (h)(1) Every contractor shall maintain a list that shall include the following information

about all subcontractors or other contractors performing work on a structure for that contractor:

     (i) Names and addresses; and

     (ii) Registration numbers or other license numbers.

     (2) The list referred to in subsection (h)(1) of this section shall be delivered to the board

within twenty-four (24) hours after a request is made during reasonable working hours, or a fine of

twenty-five dollars ($25.00) may be imposed for each offense.

     (i) The following subcontractors who are not employees of a registered contractor must

obtain a registration certificate prior to conducting any work: (1) Carpenters, including finish

carpenters and framers; (2) Siding installers; (3) Roofers; (4) Foundation installers, including

concrete installers and form installers; (5) Drywall installers; (6) Plasterers; (7) Insulation installers;

(8) Ceramic tile installers; (9) Floor covering installers; (10) Swimming pool installers, both above

ground and in ground; (11) Masons, including chimney installers, fireplace installers, and general

masonry erectors. This list is not all inclusive and shall not be limited to the above-referenced

contractors. No subcontractor licensed by another in-state agency pursuant to § 5-65-2 shall be

required to register, provided that said work is performed under the purview of that license.

     (j) A contractor including, but not limited to, a general contractor, shall not hire any

subcontractor or other contractor to work on a structure unless the contractor is registered under

this chapter or exempt from registration under the provisions of § 5-65-2.

     (k) A summary of this chapter, prepared by the board and provided at cost to all registered

contractors, shall be delivered by the contractor to the owner when the contractor begins work on

a structure; failure to comply may result in a fine.

     (l) The registration number of each contractor shall appear in any advertising by that

contractor. Advertising in any form by an unregistered contractor shall be prohibited, including

alphabetical or classified directory listings, vehicles, business cards, and all other forms of

advertisements. The violations could result in a penalty being assessed by the board per

administrative procedures established.

     (i) The board may publish, revoke, or suspend registrations and the date the registration

was suspended or revoked on a quarterly basis.

     (ii) Use of the word "license" in any form of advertising when only registered may subject

the registrant or those required to be registered to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for each

offense at the discretion of the board.

     (m) The contractor must see that permits required by the state building code are secured on

behalf of the owner prior to commencing the work involved. The contractor's registration number

must be affixed to the permit as required by the state building code.

     (n) The board may assess an interest penalty of twelve percent (12%) annually when a

monetary award is ordered by the board.

     (o) All work performed, including labor and materials, in excess of one thousand dollars

($1,000) shall be accompanied by a contract in writing. Contracts required pursuant to this

subsection shall include a location on or near the signature line location on or in which the parties

to the contract shall initial to evidence the receipt of certain consumer education materials or

information approved and provided by the board to the contractor. The educational materials and/or

information shall include, but not be limited to, the following notice and shall be provided by the

contractor to the homeowner:

NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANIC'S LIEN

     To: Insert name of owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the simple fee.

     The undersigned is about to perform work and/or furnish materials for the construction,

erection, alterations or repair upon the land at (INSERT ADDRESS) under contract with you. This

is a notice that the undersigned and any other persons who provide labor and materials for the

improvement under contract with the undersigned may file a mechanic's lien upon the land in the

event of nonpayment to them. It is your responsibility to assure yourself that those other persons

under contract with the undersigned receive payment for their work performed and materials

furnished for the construction, erection, alteration or repair upon the land. Failure to adhere to the

provisions of this subsection may result in a one-thousand-dollar ($1,000) fine against the

contractor and shall not affect the right of any other person performing work or furnishing materials

of claiming a lien pursuant to chapter 28 of title 34. However, such person failing to provide such

notice shall indemnify and hold harmless any owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee

simple from any payment or costs incurred on account of any liens claims by those not in privity

with them, unless such owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple shall not have

paid such person.

     (p) Contracts entered into must contain notice of right of rescission as stipulated in all

pertinent Rhode Island consumer protection laws and/or § 5-65-27 if applicable.

     (q) The contractor must stipulate whether or not all the proper insurances are in effect for

each job contracted.

     (r) Contractors who are in compliance with the provisions of this subsection shall be

exempt from the requirements of § 34-28-4.1.

     (s) In addition to the requirements of this chapter, contractors engaged in well drilling

activities shall also be subject to regulations pertaining to licensing and registration promulgated

by the contractors' registration and licensing board pursuant to chapter 65.2 of this title and § 46-

13.2-4.

     5-65-7.1. Notice of cancellation or failure to renew policies.

     Upon the cancellation or failure to renew, the insurance company having written a liability

policy, as described in § 5-65-7, shall notify the director of the contractors' registration and

licensing board of the cancellation or failure to renew. The policy shall continue in effect until ten

(10) days after written notice of the cancellation is given to the director of the contractors'

registration and licensing board of the cancellation or termination of the liability policy by the

issuing insurance company or companies in addition to any other notices which may be required

by law. Any insurance company that fails to notify the director contractors’ registration and

licensing board, as required in this section shall be subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor and

upon conviction of that offense may be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty

dollars ($250) for each offense and shall be responsible for any claims, fines or penalties from any

parties resulting from lack of notice. All criminal actions for any violation of this section shall be

prosecuted by the attorney general. The attorney general shall prosecute actions to enforce the

payment penalties and fines at the request of the director of the department of business regulation

or the director’s designee.

     5-65-10. Grounds for discipline -- Injunctions.

     (a) The board or commission office may revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue, reinstate, or

reissue a certificate of registration if the board or commission office determines after notice and

opportunity for a hearing:

     (1) That the registrant or applicant has violated § 5-65-3.

     (2) That the insurance required by § 5-65-7 is not currently in effect.

     (3) That the registrant, licensee or applicant has engaged in conduct as a contractor that is

dishonest or fraudulent that the board finds injurious to the welfare of the public.

     (4) Has violated a rule or order of the board.

     (5) That the registrant has knowingly assisted an unregistered person to act in violation of

this chapter.

     (6) That a lien was filed on a structure under chapter 28 of title 34 because the registrant or

applicant wrongfully failed to perform a contractual duty to pay money to the person claiming the

lien.

     (7) That the registrant has substantially violated state or local building codes.

     (8) That the registrant has made false or fraudulent statements on his or her application.

     (9) That a registrant has engaged in repeated acts in violation of this chapter and the board's

rules and regulations inclusive of substandard workmanship and any misuse of registration.

     (10) The board may take disciplinary action against a contractor who performed work or

arranged to perform, while the registration was suspended, invalidated or revoked. Deposits

received by a contractor and ordered returned are not considered a monetary award when no

services or supplies have been received.

     (11) That the registrant breached a contract.

     (12) That the registrant performed negligent and/or improper work.

     (13) That the registrant has advertised with a license number instead of using a registration

number.

     (14) That the registrant has failed to complete a project(s) for construction or a willful

failure to comply with the terms of a contract or written warranty.

     (15) That the registrant has misrepresented his registration status as valid when said

registration is suspended, revoked, invalidated, inactive or unregistered as required by the board.

     (16) That the registrant has failed to pay a fine or comply with any order issued by the

board.

     (17) That the registrant has failed to obtain or maintain the required continuing

education/units required by the board, or failed to sign the affidavit statement required by the board

for registration or renewal.

     (18) When a violation for hiring a non-registered contractor, working as a non-registered

contractor, or not maintaining the insurance required is issued, the registration may become

invalidated until the violation is resolved or hearing is requested on this offense.

     (19) That the registrant has violated any of the provisions of chapters 25-3, 28-3, 28-12,

28-14, 28-36, 28-50, and/or 37-13. A finding that the registrant has violated any of those chapters

shall not be grounds for imposition of a monetary penalty under subsection (c) below.

     (b) In addition to all other remedies, when it appears to the board that a person has engaged

in, or is engaging in, any act, practice or transaction which violates the provisions of this chapter,

the board may direct the attorney general to apply to the court for an injunction restraining the

person from violating the provisions of this chapter. An injunction shall not be issued for failure to

maintain the list provided for in § 5-65-3(h) unless the court determines that the failure is

intentional.

     (c)(1) For each first violation of a particular section of this chapter or any rule or regulation

promulgated by the board, a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) may be imposed after

a hearing by the board. Provided, further, that the board at its discretion may, after a hearing, impose

an additional fine up to but not to exceed the face value of the contract or the actual damages caused

by the contractor, whichever shall be greater. Where the claim is for actual damages the board shall

require proof satisfactory to the board indicating said damages. Where corrective work is completed

as ordered by the board, the fine assessed may be reduced as determined by the board. Fines and

decisions on claims or violations inclusive of monetary awards can be imposed against registered

as well as contractors required to be registered by the board.

     (2) For each subsequent violation of a particular subsection of this chapter or of a rule or

regulation promulgated by the board, a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) may be

imposed after a hearing by the board. All fines collected by the board shall be deposited as general

revenues until June 30, 2008 to be used to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Beginning July 1,

2008, all fines collected by the board shall be deposited into a restricted receipt account to be used

to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

     (3) For the first violation of § 5-65-3, only for non-registered contractors, a fine of up to

five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a first offense and up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each

subsequent offense shall be imposed.

     (d) The hearing officer, upon rendering a conclusion may require the registrant, in lieu of

a fine, to attend continuing education courses as appropriate. Failure to adhere to the requirement

could result in immediate revocation of registration.

     (e) The expiration of a registration by operation of law or by order or decision of the board

or a court, or the voluntary surrender of registration by the registrant, does not deprive the board of

jurisdiction, an action or disciplinary proceeding against the registrant or to render a decision

suspending or revoking a registration.

     (f) In emergency situations, when a registrant is acting to the detriment of the health,

welfare and safety of the general public, the board's executive director of the department of business

regulation or the director’s designee may revoke or suspend a registration without a hearing for just

cause for a period of thirty (30) days.

     (g) A registrant may petition the board to partially or completely expunge his or her record

provided that notice of said expungement proceedings has been provided to the claimant who was

the subject of the violation. For purposes of this subsection "notice" shall consist of a mailing to

the last known address of the claimant and need not be actual notice.

     (h) Any person or contractor, registered or not, who uses another contractor's registration,

contractor's registration identification card, or allows another person to use their contractor's

registration fraudulently in any way, will be subject to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars

($10,000).

     (i) When the use of fraudulent advertising entices an individual to hire an unregistered

contractor, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) may be imposed by the board.

     (j) It shall be unlawful to retain a social security number or copy of the driver's license from

a registrant by a building official as a condition of obtaining a permit.

     (k) The board is further authorized upon certain findings or violations to:

     (1) Put a lien on property held by a contractor.

     (2) Take action on registrant when the continuing education requirements have failed to be

attained as required in rules and regulations.

     (3) When upon investigation a complaint reveals: serious code infractions; unsatisfied

mechanic's liens; abandonment of a job for a substantial period of time without apparent cause; or

any other conduct detrimental to the public, the board can double the fines.

     (4) Suspend, revoke or refuse to issue, reinstate or reissue a certificate of registration to

any registrant who has contracted, advertised, offered to contract or submitted a bid when the

contractor's registration is suspended, revoked, invalidated or inactive or unregistered as required

by the board.

     (l) No person shall register as a contractor with the contractors' registration board for the

purpose of deceiving or circumventing the registration process by enabling a person whose

registration has been suspended or revoked to conduct business. Provided, further, that any person

who, in good faith relies on the board or the contractor's registration website for information

regarding registration status of another shall be exempt from violations pursuant to this section if

the information is not correct. Violators of this section shall be jointly and individually liable for

damages resulting from their activities as contractors pursuant to this chapter. Violations of this

subsection may result in a revocation of registration and/or fines not to exceed ten thousand dollars

($10,000) and/or up to one year in jail. Furthermore, the director of the department of business

regulation or the director’s designee shall require that all applicants for registration shall swear by

way of affidavit sign a statement that they are aware of this provision and its implications.

     (m) Upon receipt of notice of a final determination, after the exhaustion of all appeals, by

the department of labor and training, consent agreement, or court order that a registered contractor

violated any of the provisions of chapters 25-3, 28-3, 28-12, 28-14, 28-36, 28-50, and/or 37-13 and

owes any wages, benefits or other sums arising out of such violation, the board shall immediately

suspend the contractor's registration of such contractor in accordance with this subsection. The

suspension shall continue until all wages, benefits, or other sums owed have been paid or the

contractor has entered into a written, binding agreement to pay the same acceptable to the

department of labor and training and is not in default in payment under such agreement. If the

contractor fails to remain current in payment under any such agreement, the department of labor

and training shall notify the contractors' registration board and the suspension shall be imposed or

reinstated as the case may be. The foregoing sanction is mandatory, but shall not be grounds for

imposition of a monetary penalty under subsection (c) above.

     (n) When the registration of a contractor has been revoked or suspended, neither the

contractor nor any successor entity or sole proprietorship that: (1) Has one or more of the same

principals or officers as the partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint

venture, limited liability company, corporation, or sole proprietorship as the subject contractor; and

(2) Is engaged in the same or equivalent trade or activity shall be qualified to register or retain a

registration as a contractor under this chapter, unless and until the board shall determine that the

basis of the revocation or suspension has been satisfied or removed and that the registrant or

applicant otherwise satisfies the requirements for registration under this chapter. Notwithstanding

the foregoing, a natural person may obtain relief from the application and enforcement of this

subsection as to him or her, if he or she can establish that he or she was not responsible for, and did

not acquiesce to the misconduct which is the basis of the revocation, suspension or denial of

registration.

     5-65-15. Officers -- Quorum -- Compensation and expenses.

     (a) The board shall select from among its members a chairperson, a vice chairperson and

any other officers for the terms and with the duties and powers necessary for the performance of

their duties that the board determines.

     (b) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of

business.

     (c) The board shall have an executive director a member of staff who shall attend all

meetings and shall direct the conduct of any investigation which may be necessary in the

preparation of any hearing. The executive director shall be a member of the classified service on

the staff of the state building commissioner and shall be compensated as appropriate for the required

expertise.

     5-65-15.1. Staff.

     (a) The state building code commission office shall provide the board with appropriate

staff, including hearing officials and investigators, who shall perform their duties under the

administrative supervision of the executive director of the department of business regulation or the

director’s designee.

     (b) The board may delegate the powers, functions and duties to the provided staff.

     5-65-20. Administrative hearings.

     (a) Contested claims or cases, contested enforcement proceedings, and contested

administrative fines shall be heard, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter

35 of title 42, and the administrative regulations promulgated by the board, by the hearings

officer(s) assigned by the executive director of the department of business regulation or the

director’s designee of the board.

     (b) The board has jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the hearing officer(s), and

may by regulation impose a filing fee, not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00), for any appeal.

     (c) Notwithstanding the preceding, the executive director of the department of business

regulation or the director’s designee for the board is authorized to resolve contested enforcement

or claim proceedings through informal disposition pursuant to regulations promulgated by the

board.

     SECTION 2. Effective January 1, 2020, Section 5-84-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-

84 entitled "Division of Building, Design and Fire Professionals" is hereby amended to read as

follows:

     5-84-3. Division membership.

     The division consists of the membership of the office of the state fire marshal, the fire

safety code board of review and appeal, and the office of the state building office. commissioner,

the board of registration for professional engineers, board of registration for professional land

surveyors, board of examination and registration of architects, the board of examiners of landscape

architects, and the contractors' registration and licensing board.

     SECTION 3. Effective January 1, 2020, Section 5-84 of the General Laws entitled

"Division of Building, Design and Fire Professionals" is hereby amended by adding thereto the

following section:

     5-84-3. 1. Establishment of the state building office.

     (a) There shall be the state building office within the department of business regulation's

division of building, design and fire professionals which shall consist of the office of the state

building commissioner, the board of registration for professional engineers, the board of

registration for professional land surveyors, the board of examination and registration of architects,

the board of examiners of landscape architects, and the contractors' registration and licensing board.

     (b) The department of business regulation is hereby designated as the administrative entity

responsible for the operation of the state building office. In the discretion of the director of business

regulation, the department shall provide appropriate staff support to the state building office, and

any such staff may be shared within the state building office as necessary.

     SECTION 4. Effective January 1, 2020, Sections 23-27.3-100.1.3, 23-27.3-100.1.4, 23-

27.3-100.1.5.1, 23-27.3-107.2, 23-27.3-107.8, 23-27.3-107.9, 23-27.3-108.1.3.1, 23-27.3-108.2

and 23-27.3-118.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State Building Code" are

hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-27.3-100.1.3. Creation of the state building code standards committee.

     (a) There is created as an agency of state government a state building code standards

committee that shall adopt, promulgate, and administer a state building code for the purpose of

regulating the design, construction, and use of buildings or structures previously erected, in

accordance with a rehabilitation building and fire code for existing buildings and structures

developed pursuant to chapter 29.1 of this title, and to make any amendments to them as they, from

time to time, deem necessary or desirable, the building code to include any code, rule, or regulation

incorporated in the code by reference.

     (b) A standing subcommittee is made part of the state building code standards committee

to promulgate and administer a state housing and property maintenance code for the purpose of

establishing minimum requirements and standards and to regulate the occupancy and use of existing

premises, structures, buildings, equipment, and facilities, and to make amendments to them as

deemed necessary.

     (c) A joint committee, with membership as set forth in § 23-29.1-2(a) from the state

building code standards committee, shall develop and recommend for adoption and promulgation,

a rehabilitation building and fire code for existing buildings and structures, which code shall include

building code elements to be administered by the state building code standards committee as the

authority having jurisdiction over the elements.

     (d) The state building code standards committee shall be housed within the office of the

state building commissioner office.

     23-27.3-100.1.4. Appointment and qualifications of the committee.

     (a) The building code standards committee shall be composed of twenty-five (25)

members, residents of the state who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent

of the senate. Eight (8) members are to be appointed for terms of one year each, seven (7) for a

term of two (2) years each, and ten (10) for terms of three (3) years each. Annually, thereafter, the

governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint members to the committee to

succeed those whose terms expired; the members to serve for terms of three (3) years each and until

their successors are appointed and qualified. Two (2) members shall be architects registered in the

state; three (3) shall be professional engineers registered in the state, one specializing in

mechanical, one specializing in structural, and one specializing in electrical engineering; one

landscape architect, registered in the state; one full-time certified electrical inspector; two (2) shall

be builders or superintendents of building construction; one shall be a public health official; one

shall be a qualified fire code official; two (2) shall be from the Rhode Island building trades council;

two (2) shall be from the Rhode Island Builders Association; one shall be a holder of Class "A"

electrician's license; one shall be a master plumber; two (2) shall be from the general public; three

(3) shall be building officials in office, one from a municipality with a population of sixty thousand

(60,000) persons or more, one from a municipality with a population of over twenty thousand

(20,000) persons but less than sixty thousand (60,000), and one from a municipality with a

population of less than twenty thousand (20,000) persons; one shall be a minimum housing official

in office from one of the local municipalities; and two (2) residents of the state who shall be persons

with disabilities as defined in § 42-87-1.

     (b) All members shall have no less than five (5) years practical experience in their

profession or business. The committee shall elect its own chairperson and may elect from among

its members such other officers as it deems necessary. Thirteen (13) members of the board shall

constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority vote of those present shall be required for action.

The committee shall adopt rules and regulations for procedure. The state building commissioner

shall serve as the executive secretary to the committee. The committee shall have the power, within

the limits of appropriations provided therefor, to employ such assistance as may be necessary to

conduct business.

     (c) Members of the commission committee shall be removable by the governor pursuant to

§ 36-1-7 and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to

capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

     (d) The state housing and property maintenance code subcommittee shall be composed of

nine (9) members, residents of the state. Five (5) of these members are to be current members of

the state building code standards committee and are to be appointed by that committee. The four

(4) remaining members are to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the

senate. The four (4) appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall

initially be appointed on a staggered term basis, one for one year, one for two (2) years, and two

(2) for three (3) years. Annually thereafter, the building code standards committee, and the

governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the subcommittee members, for

which they are respectively responsible, to succeed those whose terms have expired; the members

to serve for terms of three (3) years each and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Of

the members appointed by the committee, one shall be a full-time certified electrical inspector; one

shall be a master plumber and mechanical equipment expert; one shall be a builder or

superintendent of building construction; one member shall be a qualified state fire code official;

one shall be a property manager; and one shall be a current minimum housing official from a local

municipality. The four (4) members to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent

of the senate, shall all be current minimum housing officials from local municipalities. One shall

be from a municipality with a population of sixty thousand (60,000) persons or more, two (2) from

municipalities with a population of over twenty thousand (20,000) persons but less than sixty

thousand (60,000), and one from a municipality with a population of less than twenty thousand

(20,000) persons.

     23-27.3-100.1.5.1. Housing and maintenance code -- Powers and duties of the building

code standards committee.

     (a) The committee shall have the authority to adopt and promulgate a housing and

maintenance code which shall be reasonably consistent with recognized and accepted standards

and codes promoted by national model code organizations. The code shall be submitted to the

legislature for adoption and amendments as required. Once adopted by the legislature, the law shall

not be amended by the cities and towns. The committee shall have the singular authority to submit

further amendments to the legislature as required. These new provisions shall replace, and/or amend

the existing provisions of the Minimum Housing Standards, chapter 24.2 of title 45, and the

Housing, Maintenance and Occupancy Code, chapter 24.3 of title 45. Once adopted by the

legislature, the laws shall not be amended by the cities and towns without prior approval of the

committee and subsequently the legislature. The state housing and property maintenance code

subcommittee shall carry out its responsibilities to the building code standards committee by acting

as an entity of the committee in administering the code, by recommending needed code

amendments, by promulgating the code, and by serving as the board of standards and appeals for

the code.

     (b) The subcommittee shall also have a recording secretary who shall attend all meetings

and direct the conduct of any investigation which may be necessary in the preparation of any

hearing. The recording secretary shall be a member of the classified service on the staff of the state

building commissioner office and shall be compensated as appropriate for the expertise required.

The administration and appeals procedures pertaining to these laws shall remain in the prerogatives

of the local municipalities and the legislature.

     (c) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the committee shall approve

and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the

president of the senate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year. The report

shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting

minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, applications considered and their disposition, rules

or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or

modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds

received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these

funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of

performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and

remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the

authority of the committee; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to this chapter; a

briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year, and findings and recommendations

for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of the general assembly

and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department

of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this section.

     (d) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6)

months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the

committee, be approved by the committee, and be conducted by the chair of the committee. The

committee may approve the use of any committee and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist

with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of

chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the committee's rules and regulations. The director of the

department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of June 16, 2006, prepare and

disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.

     23-27.3-107.2. Alternate local building official.

     The appropriate local authority shall appoint an alternate building official to act on behalf

of the building official during any period of disability caused by, but not limited to, illness, absence,

or conflict of interest. The alternate building official shall meet the qualifications of § 23-27.3-

107.5. The appropriate local authority shall appoint an alternate local building official within ten

(10) calendar days or request the commissioner's state building office's services as allowed in § 23-

27.3-107.3. When the state building commissioner's office's services are used due to the lack of a

local building official, the salary and operating expenses of the commissioner or his or her designee

shall be reimbursed to the commissioner's account state as allowed by § 23-27.3-108.2(c).

     23-27.3-107.8. Restriction on employees' activities.

     Neither the building commissioner, nor any full-time building officials, or full-time local

inspectors, as defined in this code, shall be engaged in, or directly or indirectly connected with, the

furnishing of labor, materials, or appliances for the construction, alteration, or maintenance of any

building or structure, or the preparation of plans or specifications therefor for the state, in the case

of the building commissioner, or within the municipality in which he or she is respectively

employed in the case of a building official or local inspector unless the individual is the owner of

the building or structure; nor shall any officer or employee associated with the state building office

department of the state or municipality engage in any work which conflicts with his or her official

duties or with the interests of the department of business regulation.

     23-27.3-107.9. Relief from personal responsibility.

     The state building commissioner, the members and staff of the building code standards

committee and the board of standards and appeals, the building official, officer, or employee

charged with the enforcement, administration and/or review of this code, while acting for the state

or a municipality, shall not thereby render himself or herself liable personally, and he or she is

hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damages that may accrue to persons or property

as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his or her official duties. Any suit

instituted against any of these officers or employees because of an act performed by him or her in

the lawful discharge of his or her duties and under the provisions of this code shall be defended by

the legal representative of the state in the case of the members and staff of the building code

standards committee and the board of standards and appeals, and the building commissioner or his

or her agents or by the legal representative of the municipality, in the case of the building official,

officer, or employee, until the final determination of the proceedings. In no case shall members and

staff of the building code standards committee and the board of standards and appeals, the state

building commissioner, building official, or any of their subordinates be liable for costs or damages

in any action, suit, or proceeding that may be instituted pursuant to the provisions of this code and

the members and staff of the building code standards committee and the board of standards and

appeals, the state building commissioner or his or her agents or an officer of the department of state

building inspection office, acting in good faith and without malice and within the scope of their

employment, is free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions or by reason of

any act or omission in the performance of his or her official duties in connection with this code.

     23-27.3-108.1.3.1. Test results.

     Copies of the results of all the tests shall be forwarded to the committee after completion

of the tests within ten (10) days, and shall be kept on file in the permanent records of the state

building department office.

     23-27.3-108.2. State building commissioner's duties.

     (a) This code shall be enforced by the state building commissioner as to any structures or

buildings or parts thereof that are owned or are temporarily or permanently under the jurisdiction

of the state or any of its departments, commissions, agencies, or authorities established by an act

of the general assembly, and as to any structures or buildings or parts thereof that are built upon

any land owned by or under the jurisdiction of the state.

     (b) Permit fees for the projects shall be established by the committee. The fees shall be

deposited as general revenues.

     (c)(1) The local cities and towns shall charge each permit applicant an additional .1 (.001)

percent levy of the total construction cost for each permit issued. The levy shall be limited to a

maximum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each of the permits issued for one and two (2) family

dwellings. This additional levy shall be transmitted monthly to the state building commission office

at the department of business regulation, and shall be used to staff and support the purchase or lease

and operation of a web-accessible service and/or system to be utilized by the state and

municipalities for uniform, statewide electronic plan review, permit management and inspection

system and other programs described in this chapter. The fee levy shall be deposited as general

revenues.

     (2) On or before July 1, 2013, the building commissioner shall develop a standard statewide

process for electronic plan review, permit management and inspection.

     (3) On or before December 1, 2013, the building commissioner, with the assistance of the

office of regulatory reform, shall implement the standard statewide process for electronic plan

review, permit management and inspection. In addition, the building commissioner shall develop

a technology and implementation plan for a standard web-accessible service or system to be utilized

by the state and municipalities for uniform, statewide electronic plan review, permit management

and inspection.

     (d) The building commissioner shall, upon request by any state contractor described in §

37-2-38.1, review, and when all conditions for certification have been met, certify to the state

controller that the payment conditions contained in § 37-2-38.1 have been met.

     (e) The building commissioner shall coordinate the development and implementation of

this section with the state fire marshal to assist with the implementation of § 23-28.2-6.

     (f) The building commissioner shall submit, in coordination with the state fire marshal, a

report to the governor and general assembly on or before April 1, 2013, and each April 1st

thereafter, providing the status of the web-accessible service and/or system implementation and

any recommendations for process or system improvement.

     23-27.3-118.1. Special fees.

     The payment of the fee for construction, alteration, removal, or demolition, and for all work

done in connection with, or concurrently with, the work contemplated by a building permit, shall

not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that may be

prescribed in accordance with § 23-27.3-119.0 for water taps, sewer connections, electrical and

plumbing permits, erection of signs and display structures, marquees, or other appurtenant

structures, or fees for inspections, certificates of use and occupancy for other privileges or

requirements, both within and without the jurisdiction of the state building department office.

     SECTION 5. Section 30-17.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-17.1 entitled "Veterans'

Affairs" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     30-17.1-6. Establishment of the office of veterans' affairs; director.

     (a) There is hereby established within the executive branch of government an office of

veterans' affairs. The director of the office of veterans' affairs shall be a person qualified through

experience and training and shall be an honorably discharged war veteran of the United States

armed forces. The director of the office of veterans' affairs shall be appointed by and report directly

to the governor, but the office shall reside within the department of human services for

administrative purposes.

     (b) The director of veterans' affairs shall have all such powers, consistent with law, as are

necessary and/or convenient to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and to administer its

functions, including, but, not limited to, the power to promulgate and adopt regulations. The

director shall have authority to apply for, receive, and administer grants and funds from the federal

government and all other public and private entities to accomplish the purposes of the office.

     (c) Effective July 1, 2019, the office of veterans' affairs, as established pursuant to

subsection (a) of this section, shall be henceforth referred to and renamed as "the office of veterans

services" and the director of veterans' affairs, established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section

shall henceforth be referred to and renamed as the "director of veterans services."

     (d) Effective July 1, 2019, all references in the general laws to the office of veterans' affairs

established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and to the director of veterans' affairs

established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed to mean and refer,

respectively, to the office of veterans services and the director of veterans services.

     SECTION 6. Section 30-27-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-27 entitled "Veterans'

Organizations" is hereby repealed as follows.

     30-27-1. Appropriations for annual encampment of Spanish war veterans.

     The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to

defray the expenses of the annual encampment of the united spanish war veterans, department of

Rhode Island, to be expended under the direction of the department of human services or of any

other department as the general assembly shall indicate and direct at any future time; and the

controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for the

payment of that sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary from time to time, upon the receipt

by the controller of proper vouchers approved by the director of human services, or such other

approving authority as the general assembly may direct.

     SECTION 7. Sections 31-38-7 and 31-38-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38 entitled

"Inspection of Motor Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-38-7. Operation of official stations.

     (a) No permit for an official station shall be assigned or transferred or used at any location

other than designated in it, and the permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the designated

location.

     (b) The state certified person operating an official inspection station shall issue a certificate

of inspection and approval upon an official form to the owner of a vehicle upon inspection of the

vehicle and determining that its equipment required under the provisions of this chapter is in good

condition and proper adjustment, otherwise, no certificate shall be issued. A record and report shall

be made of every inspection and every certificate issued. The records shall be kept available for

review by the motor vehicle inspection station commission or those employees of the department

of revenue that the director may designate.

     (c) The following fees shall be charged for inspection and issuance of certificate of

inspection and approval:

     (1) For every vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than eight thousand five

hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.), the fee shall be included with the fee charged pursuant to § 31-47.1-

11;

     (2) For every vehicle of a registered gross weight of more than eight thousand five hundred

pounds (8,500 lbs.) or more, except trailers, fifteen dollars ($15.00);

     (3) For every motorcycle and electrically powered vehicle, eleven dollars ($11.00);

     (4) For every trailer or semi-trailer with a registered gross weight of more than one

thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.), eleven dollars ($11.00); and

     (5) Provided that for the inspection of vehicles used for the transportation of persons for

hire, as provided in § 31-22-12, and subject to an inspection pursuant to chapter 47.1 of this title,

the fee shall be included with the fee charged pursuant to § 31-47.1-11.

     (d) The director of the department of revenue may establish a state inspection facility at

which any motor vehicle may be reinspected at no cost to the owner. The state inspection facility

may inspect all public conveyance vehicles or these inspections may be otherwise provided for by

the director, or any other vehicles which in the opinion of the director of revenue, or his or her

designee, require specific testing to ensure for the health and safety of the general public.

     (e) Any other inspections or activities which may be required to be performed at a state

inspection facility may be performed at any official inspection station if determined by the director.

     31-38-18. Conduct of hearings.

     The director of the department of revenuecommission shall hold and conduct hearings in

accordance with § 31-38-17. These hearings shall be governed by rules to be adopted by the director

of the department of revenuecommission, and the director of the department of revenuecommission

shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence. The director of the department of

revenuecommission may subpoena witnesses and require the producing of documental evidence,

and shall sit as an impartial independent body in order to make decisions affecting the interest of

the motor vehicle inspection owner and/or operator. The concurrence of a majority of the members

present and voting of the commission is required for a decision.

     SECTION 8. Sections 31-38-15 and 31-38-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38

entitled "Inspection of Motor Vehicles" are hereby repealed.

     31-38-15. Motor vehicle inspection commission.

     (a) Within the department of revenue there shall be a motor vehicle inspection commission,

referred to in this chapter as the "commission", which shall function as a unit in the department.

The commission shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be appointed by the governor, with

the advice and consent of the senate. In making said appointments, the governor shall give due

consideration to including in the commission's membership one or more garage keeper(s) and/or

inspection station owner(s).

     (b) The tenure of all members of the commission as of the effective date of this act [March

29, 2006] shall expire on the effective date of this act [March 29, 2006], and the governor shall

nominate seven (7) new members as follows:

     (1) The governor shall appoint seven (7) members of the commission; three (3) of whom

shall serve initial terms of three (3) years; two (2) of whom shall serve an initial term of two (2)

years; and two (2) of whom shall serve an initial term of one year.

     (2) Thereafter, all members of the commission shall be appointed to serve three (3) year

terms.

     (c) The governor shall designate one member of the commission to serve as chairperson.

The commission may elect from among its members such other officers as they deem necessary.

     (d) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the commission after the effective date

of this act [March 29, 2006] unless he or she is a resident of this state.

     (e) Four (4) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

     (f) Members of the commission shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the

provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or

personal reasons unrelated to capacity of fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

     (g) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the commission shall approve

and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the

president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report

shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting

minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, licenses considered and their disposition, rules or

regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified

and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and

expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds and a

summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance

during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis

of hearings, complaints, suspensions or other legal matters related to the authority of the

commission; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to the provisions of this section; a

briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations

for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the general assembly and secretary

of state's websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of revenue shall be

responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

     (h) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6)

months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the

commission, approved by the commission, and conducted by the chair of the commission. The

commission may approve the use of any commission or staff members or other individuals to assist

with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of

chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the commission's rules and regulations. The director of the

department of revenue shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [March 29,

2006], prepare and disseminate training material relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-

14, and 38-2.

     31-38-16. Meetings -- Compensation.

     The commission shall meet at least once a month to consider any matters that may be proper

before it. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but

each member shall be reimbursed for traveling or other expenses that are actually incurred in the

discharge of the member's duties.

     SECTION 9. Sections 35-1.1-1 through 35-1.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 35-1.1

entitled "Office of Management and Budget" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     35-1.1-1. Statement of intent.

     The purpose of this chapter is to establish a comprehensive public finance and management

system for the State of Rhode Island that manages a data-driven budget process, monitors state

departments' and agencies' performance, maximizes the application for and use of federal grants

improves the regulatory climate and ensures accountability and transparency regarding the use of

public funds and regulatory impact.

     35-1.1-2. Establishment of the office of management and budget.

     There is hereby established within the department of administration an office of

management and budget. This office shall serve as the principal agency of the executive branch of

state government for managing budgetary functions, regulatory review, performance management,

internal audit, and federal grants management. In this capacity, the office shall:

     (1) Establish an in-depth form of data analysis within and between departments and

agencies, creating a more informed process for resource allocation to best meet the needs of Rhode

Island citizens;

     (2) Identify federal grant funding opportunities to support the governor's and general

assembly's major policy initiatives and provide technical assistance with the application process

and post-award grants management;

     (2) Analyze the impact of proposed regulations on the public and state as required by

chapters 42-64.13 and 42-35;

     (3) Analyze federal budgetary issues and report on potential impacts to the state;

     (4) Coordinate the budget functions of the state with performance management objectives;

     (5) Maximize efficiencies in departments, agencies, advisory councils, and

instrumentalities of the state by improving processes and prioritizing programs;

     (6) Be responsible for the internal audit function of state government and conduct audits of

any state department, state agency, or private entity that is a recipient of state funding or state

grants; provide management advisory and consulting services; or conduct investigations relative to

the financial affairs or the efficiency of management, or both, of any state department or agency.

     35-1.1-3. Director of management and budget -- Appointment and responsibilities.

     (a) Within the department of administration there shall be a director of management and

budget who shall be appointed by the director of administration with the approval of the governor.

The director shall be responsible to the governor and director of administration for supervising the

office of management and budget and for managing and providing strategic leadership and direction

to the budget officer, the performance management office, and the federal grants management

office.

     (b) The director of management and budget shall be responsible to:

     (1) Oversee, coordinate, and manage the functions of the budget officer as set forth by

chapter 3 of this title; program performance management as set forth by § 35-3-24.1; approval of

agreements with federal agencies defined by § 35-3-25; and budgeting, appropriation, and receipt

of federal monies as set forth by chapter 41 of title 42;

     (2) Oversee the director of regulatory reform as set forth by § 42-64.13-6;

     (2) Manage federal fiscal proposals and guidelines and serve as the state clearinghouse for

the application of federal grants;

     (3) Maximize the indirect cost recoveries by state agencies set forth by § 35-4-23.1; and

     (4) Undertake a comprehensive review and inventory of all reports filed by the executive

office and agencies of the state with the general assembly. The inventory should include, but not

be limited to: the type, title, and summary of reports; the author(s) of the reports; the specific

audience of the reports; and a schedule of the reports' release. The inventory shall be presented to

the general assembly as part of the budget submission on a yearly basis. The office of management

and budget shall also make recommendations to consolidate, modernize the reports, and to make

recommendations for elimination or expansion of each report.

     35-1.1-4. Offices and functions assigned to the office of management and budget --

Powers and duties.

     (a) The offices assigned to the office of management and budget include the budget office,

the office of regulatory reform, the performance management office, and the office of internal audit,

and the federal grants management office.

     (b) The offices assigned to the office of management and budget shall:

     (1) Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with their statutory authority

and the general policy established by the governor or by the director acting on behalf of the

governor or in accordance with the powers and authorities conferred upon the director by this

chapter;

     (2) Provide such assistance or resources as may be requested or required by the governor

and/or the director;

     (3) Provide such records and information as may be requested or required by the governor

and/or the director, to the extent allowed under the provisions of any applicable general or public

law, regulation, or agreement relating to the confidentiality, privacy, or disclosure of such records

or information; and

     (c) Except as provided herein, no provision of this chapter or application thereof shall be

construed to limit or otherwise restrict the budget officer from fulfilling any statutory requirement

or complying with any valid rule or regulation.

     35-1.1-5. Federal grants management.

     (a) The office of management and budget controller shall be responsible for managing

federal grant applications, providing administrative assistance to agencies regarding reporting

requirements, providing technical assistance and approving agreements with federal agencies

pursuant to § 35-1-1. The director controller shall:

     (1) Establish state goals and objectives for maximizing the utilization of federal aid

programs;

     (2) Ensure that the state establishes and maintains statewide federally-mandated grants

management processes and procedures as mandated by the federal Office of Management and

Budget;

     (3) Promulgate procedures and guidelines for all state departments, agencies, advisory

councils, instrumentalities of the state and public higher education institutions covering

applications for federal grants;

     (4) Require, upon request, any state department, agency, advisory council, instrumentality

of the state or public higher education institution receiving a grant of money from the federal

government to submit a report to the director controller of expenditures and program measures for

the fiscal period in question;

     (5) Ensure state departments and agencies adhere to the requirements of § 42-41-5

regarding Legislative appropriation authority and delegation thereof;

     (6) Assist the state controller in managing and overseeing overseeing Manage and oversee

the disbursements of federal funds in accordance with § 35-6-42;

     (7) Assist the state controller in the preparation of Prepare the statewide cost allocation

plan and serve as the monitoring agency to ensure that state departments and agencies are working

within the guidelines contained in the plan; and,

     (8) Provide technical assistance to agencies to ensure resolution and closure of all single

state audit findings and recommendations made by the Auditor General related to Federal funding.

     (b) The office of management and budget Accounts and control shall serve as the Sstate

Cclearinghouse for purposes of coordinating federal grants, aid and assistance applied for and/or

received by any state department, agency, advisory council or instrumentality of the state. Any state

department, agency, advisory council, or instrumentality of the state applying for federal funds,

aids, loans, or grants shall file a summary notification of the intended application with the director

controller.

     (1) When as a condition to receiving federal funds, the state is required to match the federal

funds, a statement shall be filed with the notice of intent or summary of the application stating:

     (i) The amount and source of state funds needed for matching purposes;

     (ii) The length of time the matching funds shall be required;

     (iii) The growth of the program;

     (iv) How the program will be evaluated;

     (v) What action will be necessary should the federal funds be canceled, curtailed, or

restricted; and,

     (vi) Any other financial and program management data required by the office or by law.

     (2) Except as otherwise required, any application submitted by an executive agency for

federal funds, aids, loans, or grants which will require state matching or replacement funds at the

time of application or at any time in the future, must be approved by the director of the office of

management and budget or their designated agents prior to its filing with the appropriate federal

agency. Any application submitted by an executive agency for federal funds, aids, loans, or grants

which will require state matching or replacement funds at the time of application or at any time in

the future, when funds have not been appropriated for that express purpose, must be approved by

the General Assembly in accordance with § 42-41-5. When the general assembly is not in session,

the application shall be reported to and reviewed by the Director pursuant to rules and regulations

promulgated by the Director.

     (3) When any federal funds, aids, loans, or grants are received by any state department,

agency, advisory council or instrumentality of the state, a report of the amount of funds received

shall be filed with the office; and this report shall specify the amount of funds which would

reimburse an agency for indirect costs, as provided for under federal OMB Circular A-

87requirements.

     (4) The director controller may refuse to issue approval for the disbursement of any state

or federal funds from the State Treasury as the result of any application which is not approved as

provided by this section, or in regard to which the statement or reports required by this section were

not filed.

     (5) The director controller shall be responsible for the orderly administration of this section

and for issuing the appropriate guidelines and regulations from each source of funds used.

     SECTION 10. Section 35-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 35-6 entitled "Accounts and

Control" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     35-6-1. Controller -- Duties in general.

     (a) Within the department of administration there shall be a controller who shall be

appointed by the director of administration pursuant to chapter 4 of title 36. The controller shall be

responsible for accounting and expenditure control and shall be required to:

     (1) Administer a comprehensive accounting and recording system which will classify the

transactions of the state departments and agencies in accordance with the budget plan;

     (2) Maintain control accounts for all supplies, materials, and equipment for all departments

and agencies except as otherwise provided by law;

     (3) Prescribe a financial, accounting, and cost accounting system for state departments and

agencies;

     (4) Identify federal grant funding opportunities to support the governor's and general

assembly's major policy initiatives and provide technical assistance with the application process

and post-award grants management;

     (5) Manage federal fiscal proposals and guidelines and serve as the state clearinghouse for

the application of federal grants;

     (4)(6) Preaudit all state receipts and expenditures;

     (5)(7) Prepare financial statements required by the several departments and agencies, by

the governor, or by the general assembly;

     (6) (8) Approve the orders drawn on the general treasurer; provided, that the preaudit of all

expenditures under authority of the legislative department and the judicial department by the state

controller shall be purely ministerial, concerned only with the legality of the expenditure and

availability of the funds, and in no event shall the state controller interpose his or her judgment

regarding the wisdom or expediency of any item or items of expenditure;

     (7)(9) Prepare and timely file, on behalf of the state, any and all reports required by the

United States, including, but not limited to, the internal revenue service, or required by any

department or agency of the state, with respect to the state payroll; and

     (8)(10) Prepare a preliminary closing statement for each fiscal year. The controller shall

forward the statement to the chairpersons of the house finance committee and the senate finance

committee, with copies to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal and policy advisor, by

September 1 following the fiscal year ending the prior June 30 or thirty (30) days after enactment

of the appropriations act, whichever is later. The report shall include but is not limited to:

     (i) A report of all revenues received by the state in the completed fiscal year, together with

the estimates adopted for that year as contained in the final enacted budget, and together with all

deviations between estimated revenues and actual collections. The report shall also include cash

collections and accrual adjustments;

     (ii) A comparison of actual expenditures with each of the actual appropriations, including

supplemental appropriations and other adjustments provided for in the Rhode Island General Laws;

     (iii) A statement of the opening and closing surplus in the general revenue account; and

     (iv) A statement of the opening surplus, activity, and closing surplus in the state budget

reserve and cash stabilization account and the state bond capital fund.

     (b) The controller shall provide supporting information on revenues, expenditures, capital

projects, and debt service upon request of the house finance committee chairperson, senate finance

committee chairperson, house fiscal advisor, or senate fiscal and policy advisor.

     (c) Upon issuance of the audited annual financial statement, the controller shall provide a

report of the differences between the preliminary financial report and the final report as contained

in the audited annual financial statement.

     (d) The controller shall create a special fund not part of the general fund and shall deposit

amounts equivalent to all deferred contributions under this act into that fund. Any amounts

remaining in the fund on June 15, 2010, shall be transferred to the general treasurer who shall

transfer such amounts into the retirement system as appropriate.

     (e) The controller shall implement a direct deposit payroll system for state employees.

     (i) There shall be no service charge of any type paid by the state employee at any time

which shall decrease the net amount of the employee's salary deposited to the financial institution

of the personal choice of the employee as a result of the use of direct deposit.

     (ii) Employees hired after September 30, 2014, shall participate in the direct deposit

system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that

will serve as a personal depository agent for the employee.

     (iii) No later than June 30, 2016, each employee hired before September 30, 2014, who is

not a participant in the direct deposit system, shall identify a financial institution that will serve as

a personal depository agent for the employee.

     (iv) The controller shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary for implementation

and administration of the direct deposit system, which shall include limited exceptions to required

participation.

     SECTION 11. Section 36-4-34.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit

System" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     36-4-34.1. Transfer of state employees.

     (a) The director of the department of administration (the "director") is hereby authorized

to transfer any employee within the executive branch who is not covered by a collective bargaining

unit as provided in chapter 11 of this title. Any employee may be transferred to a comparable

position upon the approval of the director of the department of administration and the personnel

administrator. The transfers may be initially authorized for a period up to one year's duration and

may be further extended with the approval of the personnel administrator (the "personnel

administrator").

     (b) Within seven (7) days of making a transfer of an any employee or further extending the

duration of a transfer as provided by subsection (a), the director making the transfer or the personnel

administrator extending the transfer shall file a written report with the speaker of the house, the

senate president, and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees, for each

employee to be transferred. This report shall include:

     (1) The identity of the employee;

     (2) The employee's current work position and location, and the proposed new work position

and location;

     (3) The reason(s) for the employee transfer;

     (4) The specific task(s) to be assigned to and completed by the transferred employee;

     (5) An explanation of how the task(s) to be completed by the transferred employee relates

to the mission of the transferee department, division or agency; and

     (6) The anticipated duration of the employee's transfer.

     SECTION 12. Sections 42-6-1, 42-6-2 and 42-6-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-6

entitled "Departments of State Government" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-6-1. Enumeration of departments.

     All the administrative powers and duties heretofore vested by law in the several state

departments, boards, divisions, bureaus, commissions, and other agencies shall be vested in the

following departments and other agencies which are specified in this title:

     (a) Executive department (chapter 7 of this title);

     (b) Department of state (chapter 8 of this title);

     (c) Department of the attorney general (chapter 9 of this title);

     (d) Treasury department (chapter 10 of this title);

     (e) Department of administration (chapter 11 of this title);

     (f) Department of business regulation (chapter 14 of this title);

     (g) Department of children, youth and families (chapter 72 of this title);

     (h) Department of corrections (chapter 56 of this title);

     (i) Department of elderly affairs (chapter 66 of this title);

     (ji) Department of elementary and secondary education (chapter 60 of title 16);

     (kj) Department of environmental management (chapter 17.1 of this title);

     (lk) Department of health (chapter 18 of this title);

     (ml) Board of governors for higher education (chapter 59 of title 16);

     (nm) Department of labor and training (chapter 16.1 of this title);

     (on) Department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals (chapter

12.1 of this title);

     (po) Department of human services (chapter 12 of this title);

     (qp) Department of transportation (chapter 13 of this title);

     (rq) Public utilities commission (chapter 14.3 of this title);

     (sr) Department of revenue (chapter 142 of title 42);

     (ts) Department of public safety (chapter 7.3 of this title).

     42-6-2. Heads of departments.

     The governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and general treasurer, hereinafter called

general officers, shall each be in charge of a department. There shall also be a director of

administration, a director of revenue, a director of public safety, a director of human services, a

director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, a director of

transportation, a director of business regulation, a director of labor and training, a director of

environmental management, a director for children, youth and families, a director of elderly affairs,

and a director of corrections. Each director shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor and he

or she shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified unless the director is

removed from office by special order of the governor.

     42-6-3. Appointment of directors.

     (a) At the January session following his or her election to office, the governor shall appoint

a director of administration, a director of revenue, a director of public safety, a director of human

services, a director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, a director of

transportation, a director of business regulation, a director of labor and training, a director of

environmental management, a director for children, youth and families, a director of elderly affairs,

and a director of corrections. The governor shall, in all cases of appointment of a director while the

senate is in session, notify the senate of his or her appointment and the senate shall, within sixty

(60) legislative days after receipt of the notice, act upon the appointment. If the senate shall, within

sixty (60) legislative days, vote to disapprove the appointment it shall so notify the governor, who

shall forthwith appoint and notify the senate of the appointment of a different person as director

and so on in like manner until the senate shall fail to so vote disapproval of the governor's

appointment. If the senate shall fail, for sixty (60) legislative days next after notice, to act upon any

appointment of which it has been notified by the governor, the person so appointed shall be the

director. The governor may withdraw any appointment of which he or she has given notice to the

senate, at any time within sixty (60) legislative days thereafter and before action has been taken

thereon by the senate.

     (b) Except as expressly provided in § 42-6-9, no director of any department shall be

appointed or employed pursuant to any contract of employment for a period of time greater than

the remainder of the governor's current term of office. Any contract entered into in violation of this

section after July 1, 1994 is hereby declared null and void.

     SECTION 13. Section 42-11-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-11 entitled

"Department of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-11-10. Statewide planning program.

     (a) Findings. The general assembly finds that the people of this state have a fundamental

interest in the orderly development of the state; the state has a positive interest and demonstrated

need for establishment of a comprehensive, strategic state planning process and the preparation,

maintenance, and implementation of plans for the physical, economic, and social development of

the state; the continued growth and development of the state presents problems that cannot be met

by the cities and towns individually and that require effective planning by the state; and state and

local plans and programs must be properly coordinated with the planning requirements and

programs of the federal government.

     (b) Establishment of statewide planning program.

     (1) A statewide planning program is hereby established to prepare, adopt, and amend

strategic plans for the physical, economic, and social development of the state and to recommend

these to the governor, the general assembly, and all others concerned.

     (2) All strategic planning, as defined in subsection ( c) of this section, undertaken by all

departments and agencies of the executive branch unless specifically exempted, shall be conducted

by or under the supervision of the statewide planning program. The statewide planning program

shall consist of a state planning council, and the division of statewide planning, which shall be a

division within the department of administration.

     (c) Strategic planning. Strategic planning includes the following activities:

     (1) Establishing or identifying general goals.

     (2) Refining or detailing these goals and identifying relationships between them.

     (3) Formulating, testing, and selecting policies and standards that will achieve desired

objectives.

     (4) Preparing long-range or system plans or comprehensive programs that carry out the

policies and set time schedules, performance measures, and targets.

     (5) Preparing functional, short-range plans or programs that are consistent with established

or desired goals, objectives, and policies, and with long-range or system plans or comprehensive

programs where applicable, and that establish measurable, intermediate steps toward their

accomplishment of the goals, objectives, policies, and/or long-range system plans.

     (6) Monitoring the planning of specific projects and designing of specific programs of short

duration by the operating departments, other agencies of the executive branch, and political

subdivisions of the state to ensure that these are consistent with, and carry out the intent of,

applicable strategic plans.

     (7) Reviewing the execution of strategic plans, and the results obtained, and making

revisions necessary to achieve established goals.

     (d) State guide plan. Components of strategic plans prepared and adopted in accordance

with this section may be designated as elements of the state guide plan. The state guide plan shall

be comprised of functional elements or plans dealing with land use; physical development and

environmental concerns; economic development; housing production; energy supply, including the

development of renewable energy resources in Rhode Island, and energy access, use, and

conservation; human services; climate change and resiliency, and other factors necessary to

accomplish the objective of this section. The state guide plan shall be a means for centralizing,

integrating, and monitoring long-range goals, policies, plans, and implementation activities related

thereto. State agencies concerned with specific subject areas, local governments, and the public

shall participate in the state guide planning process, which shall be closely coordinated with the

budgeting process.

     (e) Membership of state planning council. The state planning council shall consist of the

following members:

     (1) The director of the department of administration as chairperson;

     (2) The director, policy office, in the office of the governor, as vice-chairperson;

     (3) The governor, or his or her designee;

     (4) The budget officer;

     (5)(4) The chairperson of the housing resources commission;

     (6)(5) The highest-ranking administrative officer of the division of statewide planning, as

secretary;

     (7)(6) The president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns or his or her designee

and one official of local government who shall be appointed by the governor from a list of not less

than three;

     (3) submitted by the Rhode Island League Cities and Towns;

     (8)(7) The executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns;

     (8) Three (3) chief elected officials of cities and towns appointed by the governor after

consultation with the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, one of whom shall be from a

community with a population greater than 40,000 persons; one of whom shall be from a community

with a population of between 20,000 and 40,000 persons; and one of whom shall be from a

community with a population less than 20,000 persons;

     (9) One representative of a nonprofit community development or housing organization

appointed by the governor;

     (10) Six (6) Four (4) public members, appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be an

employer with fewer than fifty (50) employees; and one of whom shall be an employer with greater

than fifty (50) employees; one of whom shall represent a professional planning or engineering

organization in Rhode Island; and one of whom shall represent a chamber of commerce or

economic development organization;

     (11) Two (2) representatives of a private, nonprofit, environmental or environmental justice

advocacy organizations, both to be appointed by the governor;

     (12) The director of planning and development for the city of Providence;

     (13) The director of the department of transportation;

     (14) The director of the department of environmental management;

     (15) The director of the department of health;

     (16) The chief executive officer of the commerce corporation;

     (17) The commissioner of the Rhode Island office of energy resources;

     (18) The chief executive officer of the Rhode Island public transit authority;

     (19) The executive director of Rhode Island housing; and

     (20) The executive director of the coastal resources management council.; and

     (21) The director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency.

     (t) Powers and duties of state planning council. The state planning council shall have the

following powers and duties:

     (1) To adopt strategic plans as defined in this section and the long-range state guide plan,

and to modify and amend any of these, following the procedures for notification and public hearing

set forth in § 42-35-3, and to recommend and encourage implementation of these goals to the

general assembly, state and federal agencies, and other public and private bodies; approval of

strategic plans by the governor; and to ensure that strategic plans and the long-range state guide

plan are consistent with the findings, intent, and goals set forth in§ 45-22.2-3, the "Rhode Island

Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act";

     (2) To coordinate the planning and development activities of all state agencies, in

accordance with strategic plans prepared and adopted as provided for by this section;

     (3) To review and comment on the proposed annual work program of the statewide

planning program;

     (4) To adopt rules and standards and issue orders concerning any matters within its

jurisdiction as established by this section and amendments to it;

     (5) To establish advisory committees and appoint members thereto representing diverse

interests and viewpoints as required in the state planning process and in the preparation or

implementation of strategic plans. At minimum, tThe state planning council shall appoint a three

(3) permanent committees comprised of:

     (i) A technical committee. comprised of pPublic members from different geographic areas

of the state representing diverse interests; and along with

     (ii) Oofficials of state, local, and federal government, who shall review all proposed

elements of the state guide plan, or amendment or repeal of any element of the plan, and shall

advise the state planning council thereon before the council acts on any such proposal. This

committee shall also advise the state planning council on any other matter referred to it by the

council; and

     (6)(ii) To establish and appoint members to a An executive committee consisting of major

participants of a Rhode Island geographic infonnation system with oversight responsibility for its

activities.; and

     (iii) A transportation advisory committee, made up of diverse representation, including but

not limited to municipal elected and appointed officials; representatives of various transportation

sectors, departments, and agencies; and other groups and agencies with an interest in transportation

operations, maintenance, construction, and policy, who shall review transportation-related plans

and amendments and recommend action to the state planning council.

     (7)(6) To adopt, amend, and maintain, as an element of the state guide plan or as an

amendment to an existing element of the state guide plan, standards and guidelines for the location

of eligible, renewable energy resources and renewable energy facilities in Rhode Island with due

consideration for the location of such resources and facilities in commercial and industrial areas,

agricultural areas, areas occupied by public and private institutions, and property of the state and

its agencies and corporations, provided such areas are of sufficient size, and in other areas of the

state as appropriate.

     (8)(7) To act as the single, statewide metropolitan planning organization for transportation

planning, and to promulgate all rules and regulations that are necessary thereto.

     (g) Division of statewide planning.

     (1) The division of statewide planning shall be the principal staff agency of the state

planning council for preparing and/or coordinating strategic plans for the comprehensive

management of the state's human, economic, and physical resources. The division of statewide

planning shall recommend to the state planning council specific guidelines, standards, and

programs to be adopted to implement strategic planning and the state guide plan and shall undertake

any other duties established by this section and amendments thereto.

     (2) The division of statewide planning shall maintain records (which shall consist of files

of complete copies) of all plans, recommendations, rules, and modifications or amendments thereto

adopted or issued by the state planning council under this section. The records shall be open to the

public.

     (3) The division of statewide planning shall manage and administer the Rhode Island

geographic information system of land-related resources, and shall coordinate these efforts with

other state departments and agencies, including the University of Rhode Island, which shall provide

technical support and assistance in the development and maintenance of the system and its

associated data base.

     (4) The division of statewide planning shall coordinate and oversee the provision of

technical assistance to political subdivisions of the state in preparing and implementing plans to

accomplish the purposes, goals, objectives, policies, and/or standards of applicable elements of the

state guide plan and shall make available to cities and towns data and guidelines that may be used

in preparing comprehensive plans and elements thereof and in evaluating comprehensive plans and

elements thereby.

      (h) [Deleted by P.L. 2011, ch. 215, § 4, and by P.L. 2011, ch. 313, § 4].

     (i) The division of planning shall be the principal staff agency of the water resources board

established pursuant to chapter 15 of title 46 ("Water Resources Board") and the water resources

board corporate established pursuant to chapter 15.1 of title 46 ("Water Supply Facilities").

     SECTION 14. Sections 42-12-23 and 42-12-23.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-12

entitled "Department of Human Services" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-12-23. Child care -- Planning and coordinating.

     (a) The department of human services shall be the principal agency of the state for the

planning and coordination of state involvement in the area of child care. To accomplish this

purpose, the department's duties shall include submitting an annual report to the governor and the

general assembly on the status of child care in Rhode Island.

     (b) The annual report of the department shall include, but not be limited to, the following

information:

     (1) The amount of state and federal funds spent on child care in each of the two (2)

preceding years;

     (2) The number of child care providers licensed; pursuant to the provisions of chapter 72.1

of this title;

     (3) The number of children served in state subsidized programs;

     (4) The number of taxpayers who have claimed the child care assistance and development

tax credit pursuant to chapter 47 of title 44;

     (5) The average cost for both infant and preschool child care;

     (6) An estimate of unmet needs for child care;

     (7) Information on child care staff salaries and training and education programs, and

     (8) Recommendations for any changes in child care public policy.

     (c) The department shall cooperate with the unit of the department of children, youth, and

families which licenses and monitors child care providers pursuant to the terms of chapter 72.1 of

this title.

     (d)(c) The department is hereby charged with the responsibility of assuring that a statewide

child care resource and referral system exists in this state to provide services and consumer

information to assist parents in locating and choosing licensed, approved and/or certified providers,

and to maintain data necessary for such referrals.

     42-12-23.1. Quality of early care and education and school-age child care through

voluntary quality rating system.

     (a) There is hereby established a voluntary quality rating system which will assess quality

in early care and education programs and school-age child care. For purposes of this section, early

care and education programs and school-age child care shall mean programs licensed under chapter

72.1, title 42 12.5, title 42 and approved under chapter 48, title 16, including without limitation

child care centers, family child care homes, group family child care homes, school-age child care

programs and preschools, but excluding child placement agencies. The voluntary quality rating

system is established to promote continuous quality improvement of programs and to further the

goals of Rhode Island's "starting right" initiative.

     (b) The department of human services, the department of children, youth and families, the

department of health, the department of elementary and secondary education and other partners and

agencies shall share information and work cooperatively with the Rhode Island quality rating

system, a public-private partnership, to ensure that Rhode Island children have access to quality

early care and education programs and school-age child care.

     (c) The voluntary quality rating system shall also provide a mechanism to gather data about

program quality, and shall report this information to parents, providers and other persons interested

in the quality of early care and education programs and school-age child care services in Rhode

Island.

     SECTION 15. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 42-12.5

LICENSING AND MONITORING OF CHILD DAY CARE PROVIDERS

     42-12.5-1. Statement of purpose.

     (a) The director of the department of human services shall establish within the department

a unit to license and monitor child day care service providers to protect the health, safety and

wellbeing of children while being cared for as a commercial service and are away from their homes.

     (b) Services for children requiring licensure under this chapter shall include all child day

care providers which offer services within the state, except as defined in § 42-12.5-5.

     42-12.5-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Administrator of licensing" means the director of the licensing unit (or his/her

designee) that carries out the provisions of this chapter, hereafter referred to as the "administrator".

     (2) "Applicant" means a child day care provider that applies for a license to operate.

     (3) "Child" means any person less than eighteen (18) years of age;

     (4) "Child day care" means daily care and/or supervision offered commercially to the

public for any part of a twenty-four (24) hour day to children away from their homes.

     (5) "Child day care center" means any person, firm, corporation, association, or agency

who, on a regular or irregular basis, receives any child under the age of sixteen (16) years, for the

purpose of care and/or supervision, not in a home or residence, apart from the child's parent or

guardian for any part of a twenty-four (24) hour day irrespective of compensation. It shall include

child day care programs that are offered to employees at the worksite. It does not include preschool

programs operating in schools approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary

education.

     (6) "Child day care provider" means a person or agency, which offers daily care and/or

supervision offered commercially to the public for any part of a twenty-four (24) hour day to

children away from their homes.

     (7) "Department" means the department of human services (DHS).

     (8) "Director" means the director of the department of human services, or the director's

designee.

     (9) "Family day care home" means any home other than the child's home in which child

day care in lieu of parental care and/or supervision is offered at the same time to four (4) or more

children who are not relatives of the care giver.

     (10) "Group family day care home" means a residence occupied by an individual of at least

twenty-one (21) years of age who provides care for not less than nine (9) and not more than twelve

(12) children, with the assistance of one or more approved adults, for any part of a twenty-four (24)

hour day. These programs shall be subject to yearly licensing as addressed in this chapter and shall

comply with all applicable state and local fire, health, and zoning regulations.

     (11) "Licensee" means any person, firm, corporation, association, or agency, which holds

a valid license under this chapter.

     (12) "Regulation" means any requirement for licensure, promulgated pursuant to this

chapter having the force of law.

     (13) "Related" means any of the following relationships, by marriage, blood or adoption,

even following the death or divorce of a natural parent: parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt,

uncle, and first cousin. In a prosecution under this chapter or of any law relating thereto, a defendant

who relies for a defense upon the relationship of any child to him or herself, the defendant shall

have the burden of proof as to the relationship.

     42-12.5-3. Powers and scope of activities. 

     (a) The department shall issue, deny, suspend, and revoke licenses for, and monitor the

operation of, facilities and programs by child day care providers, as defined in § 42-12.5-2.

     (b) The department is hereby authorized and directed to adopt, amend, and rescind

regulations in accordance with this chapter and implement its provisions. The regulations shall be

promulgated and become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative

Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42 and shall address, but need not be limited to the following:

     (1) Financial, administrative and organizational ability, and stability of the applicant;

     (2) Compliance with specific fire and safety codes and health regulations;

     (3) Character, health suitability, qualifications of child day care providers;

     (4) Staff/child ratios and workload assignments of staff providing care or supervision to

children;

     (5) Type and content of records or documents that must be maintained to collect and retain

information for the planning and caring for children;

     (6) Procedures and practices regarding basic child day care to ensure protection to the child;

     (7) Service to families of children in care;

     (8) Program activities, including components related to physical growth, social, emotional,

educational, and recreational activities;

     (9) Investigation of previous employment, criminal record check and department records

check; and

     (10) Immunization and testing requirements for communicable diseases, including, but not

limited to, tuberculosis, of child day care providers and children at any child day-care center or

family day-care home as is specified in regulations promulgated by the director of the department

of health. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all licensing and monitoring authority shall remain with

the department of human services.

     (c) The department through its licensing unit shall administer and manage the regulations

pertaining to the licensing and monitoring of child day care providers, and shall exercise all

statutory and administrative powers necessary to carry out its functions.

     (d) The administrator shall investigate complaints of noncompliance, and shall take

licensing action as may be necessary pursuant to this chapter.

     (e) The administrator may:

     (1) Prescribe any forms for reports, statements, notices, and other documents deemed

necessary;

     (2) Prepare and publish manuals and guides explaining this chapter and the regulations to

facilitate compliance with and enforcement of the regulations;

     (3) Prepare reports and studies to advance the purpose of this chapter;

     (4) Provide consultation and technical assistance, as requested, to assist licensees in

maintaining compliance; and

     (f) The department may promulgate rules and regulations for the establishment of child day

care centers located on the second floor.

     (g) When the department is otherwise unsuccessful in remedying noncompliance with the

provisions of this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder it may petition the superior

court for an order enjoining the noncompliance or for any order that equity and justice may require.

     (h) The department shall collaborate with the departments of children, youth, and families,

elementary and secondary education, and health to provide monitoring, mentoring, training,

technical assistance, and other services which are necessary and appropriate to improving the

quality of child day care offered by child day care providers who are certified, licensed, or approved

by the department or the department of elementary and secondary education or who are seeking

certification, licensure, or approval pursuant to § 42-12.5 or § 16-48-2, including non-English

speaking providers.

     (i) Notwithstanding the transfer of licensing to and the licensing and monitoring of day and

child care facilities to the department of human services, pursuant to chapter 42-72.1, the

department of children, youth and families will continue to be the agency responsible for

investigating any complaint of abuse and neglect that is alleged to have occurred at a day care or

child care facility. Any appeal of an investigative finding of abuse or neglect against a staff member,

paid or otherwise, including managerial or contract personnel, or visitor may be appealed to the

Rhode Island Family Court.

     42-12.5-4. License required. 

     (a) No person shall receive or place children in child day care services, including day care

arrangements, without a license issued pursuant to this chapter. This requirement does not apply to

a person related by blood, marriage, guardianship or adoption to the child, unless that arrangement

is for the purposes of day care.

     (b) The licensing requirement does not apply to shelter operations for parents with children,

boarding schools, recreation camps, nursing homes, hospitals, maternity residences, and centers for

developmentally disabled children.

     (c) No person, firm, corporation, association, or agency shall operate a family day care

home without a registration certificate issued by the department, unless they hold an unexpired

registration certificate issued by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families prior to January

1, 2020.

     (d) No state, county, city, or political subdivision shall operate a child day care agency or

center, program or facility without a license issued pursuant to this chapter.

     (e) No person shall be exempt from a required license by reason of public or private,

sectarian, non-sectarian, child day care program, for profit or non-profit status, or by any other

reason of funding, sponsorship, or affiliation. 

     42-12.5-5. General licensing provisions. 

     The following general licensing provisions shall apply:

     (1) A license issued under this chapter is not transferable and applies only to the licensee

and the location stated in the application and remains the property of the department. A license

shall be publicly displayed. A license shall be valid for one year from the date of issue and upon

continuing compliance with the regulations, except that a certificate issued to a family day care

home shall be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue.

     (2) Every license application issued pursuant to § 42-12.5-4 shall be accompanied by a

nonrefundable application fee paid to the State of Rhode Island as follows:

     (a) Child day care center license- five hundred dollars ($500);

     (b) Group family day care home license – two hundred and fifty dollars ($250);

     (c) Family day care home license- one hundred dollars ($100).

     (3) All fees collected by the state pursuant to paragraph (2) of this section shall be deposited

by the general treasurer as general revenues.

     (4) A licensee shall comply with applicable state fire and health safety standards.

     (5) The department may grant a provisional license to an applicant who is not able to

demonstrate compliance with all of the regulations because the program or residence is not in full

operation; however, the applicant must meet all regulations that can be met in the opinion of the

administrator before the program is fully operational. The provisional license shall be granted for

a limited period not to exceed six (6) months and shall be subject to review every three (3) months.

     (6) The department may grant a probationary license to a licensee who is temporarily

unable to comply with a rule or rules when the noncompliance does not present an immediate threat

to the health and well-being of the children, and when the licensee has obtained a plan approved

by the administrator to correct the areas of noncompliance within the probationary period. A

probationary license shall be issued for up to twelve (12) months; it may be extended for an

additional six (6) months at the discretion of the administrator. A probationary license that states

the conditions of probation may be issued by the administrator at any time for due cause. Any prior

existing license is invalidated when a probationary license is issued. When the probationary license

expires, the administrator may reinstate the original license to the end of its term, issue a new

license, suspend, or revoke the license.

     (7) The administrator will establish criteria and procedure for granting variances as part of

the regulations.

     (8) The above exceptions (probationary and provisional licensing and variances) do not

apply to and shall not be deemed to constitute any variance from state fire and health safety

standards. However, if a request for a variance of fire inspection deficiencies has been submitted

to the fire safety code board of appeal and review, DHS may grant a provisional license to terminate

no later than thirty (30) days following the board's decision on said variance.

     (9) A license under this chapter shall be granted to a child day care program without the

necessity for a separate fire, building, or radon inspection, when said child day care program is

conducted at a Rhode Island elementary or secondary school which has already been found in

compliance with said inspections, provided that an applicant complies with all other provisions of

DHS regulations, or has been granted appropriate variances by the department.

     42-12.5-6. Violations, suspensions and revocations of license.

     (a) When a licensee violates the terms of the license, the provisions of this chapter, or any

regulation thereunder, the department may pursue the administrative remedies herein provided, in

addition to other civil or criminal remedies according to the general laws.

     (b) After notice and hearing, as provided by the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35

of title 42, the administrator may revoke the license, or suspend the license for a period not

exceeding six (6) months.