2023 -- H 6436

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LC003054

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO THE MERIT SYSTEM FOR PERSONNEL

ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF

HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

     Introduced By: Representative Patricia A. Serpa

     Date Introduced: May 24, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has too many unfilled fulltime equivalent

positions in essential positions serving the State’s most vulnerable residents in the Department of

Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth and Families; and

     WHEREAS, The lack of staffing has led to extended wait times for service in walk-in

offices and at the call centers. Residents are having to wait far too long to resolve any issues with

these departments; and

     WHEREAS, The unfilled positions also impact the morale of the current staff, increasing

work load and stress which then increases turnover in these departments, creating more

vacancies; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of eleven (11) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by

the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Administration, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department

of Human Services, or designee; one of whom shall be the Secretary of the Executive Office of

Health and Human Services, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of

Children, Youth and Families, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of Local 580,

SEIU, AFL-CIO, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Council

94, or designee; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the public, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided

that, the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party which is entitled to the

appointment, consents to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations for changes to the merit system of personnel administration and personnel

management for the Department of Human Services and Department of Children, Youth and

Families.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than April 1, 2024, and said commission shall expire on May

31, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO THE MERIT SYSTEM FOR PERSONNEL

ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF

HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

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     This resolution would create an eleven (11) member special legislative commission to

study and provide recommendations for changes to the merit system of personnel administration

and personnel management for the Department of Human Services and Department of Children,

Youth and Families, and who would report back to the House no later than April 1, 2024, and

whose life would expire on May 31, 2024.

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LC003054

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