Chapter 028
2017 -- H 5540
Enacted 06/19/2017

A N   A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS

Introduced By: Representatives Marszalkowski, Shekarchi, and Ackerman
Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 4-13-1.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs" is
hereby amended to read as follows:
     4-13-1.3. Rabies control board.
     (a) There shall be a rabies control board consisting of seven (7) people as follows:
     (1) The director of the Rhode Island department of environmental management, or his or
her designee;
     (2) The director of the Rhode Island department of health, or his or her designee;
     (3) A Rhode Island licensed veterinarian, appointed by the governor, who is a member of
the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association;
     (4) A livestock farmer, appointed by the governor, who is a member of the Rhode Island
Farm Bureau;
     (5) A member of a recognized Rhode Island humane group (such as the Rhode Island
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), appointed by the governor;
     (6) The state veterinarian, who shall serve as chairperson;
     (7) A member of the Rhode Island Animal Control Association, person employed as an
animal control officer by a Rhode Island municipality, and who is recommended to serve on the
rabies control board by the league of cities and towns, and who is appointed by the governor.
     (b) All appointments made under this section after April 20, 2006, shall be subject to the
advice and consent of the senate. The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
The board members from the departments of health and environmental management shall serve at
the discretion of their directors. The state veterinarian shall serve without term. Nongovernmental
members shall serve for a period of three (3) years and reappointments shall be made by the
governor with the advice and consent of the senate.
     (c) Vacancies for citizen members shall be filled by appointment, in the same manner as
the original appointment, for the unexpired term only. Four (4) members of the board shall
constitute a quorum.
     (d) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to § 36-1-7 of the
general laws and for cause only. Removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to
capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
     (e) The board may elect from among its members such other officers as they it deems
necessary.
     (f) The director of the department of environmental management shall direct staff to
support the board within the constraints of available resources.
     (g) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall approve and
submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president
of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall
provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting
minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulations promulgated, studies
conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified, and programs administered or
initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended, including the
source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, a summary of any clerical,
administrative, or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous
fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings, and remedies; a synopsis of any legal
matters related to the authority of the board; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to
subsection (h); a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and
recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically as prescribed in §
42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the
enforcement of this provision.
     (h) Newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex officio members of
the board are required to complete a training course within six (6) months of their qualification or
designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the board, approved by the board, and
conducted by the chair of the board. The board may approve the use of any board or staff
members or other individuals to assist with training. The course shall include instruction in the
following areas: chapters 13 of title 4, 46 of title 42, 14 of title 36 and 2 of title 38; and the
board's rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety
(90) days of April 20, 2006, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions
of chapters 46 of title 42, 14 of title 36 and 2 of title 38.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC001344
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