2022 -- H 7737 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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, S Lima, Morales, Batista, McEntee,
Cassar, Speakman, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-11-2.7 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-11 entitled "Department

of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-11-2.7. Office of diversity, equity and opportunity established.

     (a) The office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO) shall be established as a

division within the department of administration. The purpose of the office shall be to ensure

nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, and equal opportunity in all aspects of state government,

including, but not limited to, employment, procurement, policy and practices relative to state

programs, services, and activities.

     (b) The head of this division shall be known as the associate director of ODEO, who shall

be appointed by the director of administration, in the classified service of the state, and shall be

responsible to, and report to, the director. The associate director of ODEO shall oversee the ODEO

in all aspects, including, but not limited to, coordination of the provisions of chapter 14.1 of title

37 (minority business enterprise) and chapter 5.1 of title 28 (equal opportunity and affirmative

action) wherein the ODEO shall have direct administrative supervision of the state's equal

opportunity office.

     (c) ODEO shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

     (1) Develop, administer, implement, and maintain a statewide diversity plan and program,

including an equity, equal-opportunity, minority business enterprise, and supplier-diversity

program, as well as other related plans and programs within the office;

     (2) Provide leadership in the development and coordination of recruitment and retention

activities in order to promote diversity and encourage the use of bias-free methods and practices in

the hiring process, performance reviews, and promotions, and to ensure compliance with applicable

federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies;

     (3) Support the growth and development of the state's minority business enterprise program

by engaging in concerted outreach programs to build relationships, maintaining effective programs

to promote minority business enterprise utilization, and facilitating minority business enterprise in

State procurement activities;

     (4) Develop, coordinate, and oversee the recruitment, selection, and retention efforts and

initiatives to promote and achieve the state's diversity goals and objectives, developing and

recommending recruitment strategies, and assisting with special recruitment efforts directed toward

ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups; and

     (5) Provide leadership in advancing management's understanding, capacity, and

accountability for embedding diversity and equity in employment and human resource management

practices as an integral part of the state's employment opportunities.;

     (6) Create and execute a strategic plan for increased cultural competency for all state

employees:

     (i) ODEO shall prescribe by regulation a cultural competency model training program;

     (ii) ODEO shall require all state employees to annually receive said training program

beginning July 1, 2022; and

     (iii) For the purposes of this section, "cultural competency" means an understanding of

how institutions and individuals can respond respectfully and effectively to people from all

cultures, economic statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities,

religions, genders, gender identifications, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, immigration status

and other characteristics in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth, and preserves

the dignity, of individuals, families and communities.

     (d) The director of administration may promulgate rules and regulations recommended by

the associate director in order to effectuate the purposes and requirements of this act.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

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     This act would require the office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO) to create and

for all state employees to receive annual training in cultural competency. It would define "cultural

competency" as an understanding of how institutions and individuals can respectfully respond to

people from all different backgrounds such as race, language, economic, gender, veterans and

disabilities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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