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CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WAYS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS

RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of nineteen (19) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island Dental Society, to be appointed by the society president; one (1) of whom shall be a community dental provider, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Samuel's Dental Clinic, to be appointed by the director; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of St. Joseph's Hospital, to be appointed by the chief executive officer; one (1) of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island Health Center Association, to be appointed by its president; one (1) of whom shall be a dental provider from a community health center, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Traveler's Aid Society, to be appointed by its president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Dental Hygienist Association, to be appointed by its president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of Kids Count Rhode Island, to be appointed by the director; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Foundation, to be appointed by the president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of a consumer health advocacy organization, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of dental insurers, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or her designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Human Services, or her designee; and one (1) of whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his 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 study and make recommendations on ways to maintain and expand access to quality oral health care for all Rhode Island residents.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the Senate Majority Leader and organize and shall select from among the senators 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 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 Senate on or before April 1, 2001 and said commission shall expire on June 1, 2001.