2022 -- H 7213 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Noret, Slater, Batista, Amore, Morales, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 36-4-51 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit System"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     36-4-51. Running for elective office by classified employee.

     (a) No classified employee or member of the personnel appeal board shall seek the

nomination of or be a candidate for any elective state office; neither shall any state elective officer

be appointed a member of the personnel appeal board or a classified employee unless he or she

resigns his or her elective office.

     (b) A classified employee, whose position is not fully funded through federal loans and/or

grants, may seek the nomination of or be a candidate for elective state office in the state of Rhode

Island. Provided, however, if said classified employee is elected to state office, the employee must

resign or terminate their classified employee position prior to assuming or holding any state elective

office in the state of Rhode Island.

     (c) A state elective officer may be appointed a classified employee or a member of the

personnel appeal board, but only after resigning their elective office.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

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     This act would allow a classified employee, whose position is not fully funded through

federal loans and/or grants to seek the nomination of or to be a candidate for elective state office.

This act would also provide that if the employee is elected, they must resign their position prior to

assuming or holding elective office.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2023.

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