11-R330

2011 -- H 6006

Enacted 05/24/11

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEALTH STUDY COMMISSION

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, E Coderre, McNamara, Valencia, and Cimini

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2011

 

     

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly supports the goal of promoting the public health of

Rhode Island residents by protecting and improving health and wellness and by preventing

disease; and

     WHEREAS, There are opportunities to significantly improve public health, but obstacles

and barriers still remain in place; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly seeks to establish policies and standards within the

state’s public health system to promote wellness and health, and prevent disease; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the medical community, Rhode Island

public and private institutions of higher education and research, the state department of health,

and other advocates should be active participants in the study, system design, and delivery of the

best public health services and practices; and

     WHEREAS, A comprehensive review of the state’s public health policies, codes, and

regulations governing the delivery of public health services is necessary to ensure a more efficient

and responsive public health system; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of twelve (12) members: two (2) of whom shall be from the House of Representatives,

not more than one from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker; one of whom

shall be the Director of the Health Department, or his/her designee; one of whom shall be the

President of the University of Rhode Island, or his/her designee; one of whom shall be the

Associate Dean of the Public Health Program of Brown University, or his/her designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Medical Society, or his/her designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Dental Society, or his/her designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Nursing Association, or his/her designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, or his/her designee; one

of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Health Centers Association, or his/her

designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Public Health Association, or

his/her designee; and one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Public Health

Institute, or his/her designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, 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 appointment of the member of the general

public.

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

all matters related to the state public health assessment, policy development, and proper

implementation of policy, and to make recommendations to coordinate and integrate academic

and research programs relevant to state health. The Institute of Medicine’s various public health

reports and the public Health Accreditation Board’s standards shall advise and direct the

commission’s work to analyze public health policies, programs, codes, regulations, and expenses.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and shall select from among the legislators 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 said commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly on or before January 4, 2012, and said commission shall expire on June 30,

2012.

 

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LC02321

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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 THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEALTH STUDY COMMISSION

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      This resolution would create a twelve (12) member special legislative commission

whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study and review of all matters related to the

state public health assessment, policy development, and proper implementation of policy; and

make recommendations to coordinate and integrate academic and research programs relevant to

state health; and who would report back to the General Assembly no later than January 4, 2012;

and whose life would expire June 30, 2012.

     

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LC02321

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