R 282
2017 -- S 0556
Enacted 05/30/2017

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE UPDATING, STREAMLINING AND ENSURING RELEVANCE OF RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS TITLE 16

Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Gallo, Conley, Metts, and Seveney
Date Introduced: March 15, 2017

     WHEREAS, Title 16 of the Rhode Island General Laws is the set of laws that govern
education in Rhode Island; and
     WHEREAS, Many laws exist that are no longer relevant to a twenty-first century
education; and
     WHEREAS; It is timely that these laws are reviewed to ensure that no statutory barrier
exists to provide our students with a world class education; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting of fourteen (14) members: five (5) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more
than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of
whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; one of
whom shall be the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be
the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, or designee; one of whom
shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, or designee; one of
whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, or
designee; one of whom shall be the President of the National Education Association of Rhode
Island; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health
Professionals; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island PTA, or designee; and one
of whom shall be the Executive Director of Young Voices, or 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 the said commission shall be to conduct a comprehensive review and
make recommendations to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the
Office of the Postsecondary Commission and any other state agency regarding the updating,
streamlining and ensuring relevance of the laws contained in Rhode Island General Laws Title
16.
     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the call of the Chair, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate. 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 or otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable
by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services 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
President of the Senate on or before March 1, 2018, and said commission shall expire on July 1,
2018.
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LC001806
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