2023 -- S 0651

========

LC002116

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION

ON DISABILITIES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, DiPalma, Euer, DiMario, Lawson, Valverde, and Murray

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 42-51-3 and 42-51-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-51 entitled

"Governor’s Commission on Disabilities" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-51-3. Officers.

     The governor shall designate one member of the commission to serve as its chairperson

during the governor’s term of office or until he or she appoints another member of the commission

to serve in that capacity. The commission shall elect from its own membership a vice-chairperson,

who shall serve until his or her successor is elected, and who is authorized to act as chairperson pro

tempore of the commission should there be a vacancy for any cause in the office of the chairperson.

The commission shall elect from its own membership other officers it deems necessary. The

commission shall appoint an executive secretary director to serve as executive officer and secretary

of the commission, who shall be a full time employee. The commission may appoint additional

personnel as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the duties prescribed by this chapter.

     42-51-10. State coordinating committee on disability rights.

     The commission shall establish a state coordinating committee on disability rights to advise

and assist the commission to implement self-evaluation and compliance plans as required by federal

and state laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. The committee shall be

composed of thirteen (13) members who shall be as follows: one representative of each of the

general officers of the state, appointed by that general officer; one representative of the house of

representatives, appointed by the speaker of house; one representative of the senate, appointed by

the president of the senate; one representative of the judiciary, appointed by the chief justice of the

supreme court; one representative of each of the boards of education, appointed by the chairperson

of that board; one representative of the public transit authority, appointed by the chairperson of the

authority, and those additional representatives the chairperson of the governor’s commission on

disabilities may appoint from the executive branch and the general public. Those persons acting as

committee members on July 21, 1992 shall continue to so act until their successors are appointed.

Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The chairperson of the

governor’s commission on disabilities shall preside at meetings of the committee. The executive

secretary director of the governor’s commission on disabilities shall serve as vice chairperson of

the committee.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002116

========

LC002116 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION

ON DISABILITIES

***

     This act would change the title of secretary to director in the Governor's Commission on

Disabilities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002116

========

LC002116 - Page 3 of 3