Introduced By: Senator Perry
Date Introduced : March 17, 1998
RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of fifteen (15) members: two (2) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than one (1) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Windwalker Humane Coalition, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the State Veterinarian or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the Department for Children, Youth, and Families, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the Department of Health or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Animal Legislative Coalition (R.I.A.L.C.) to be appointed by its executive director; one (1) of whom shall be a veterinarian, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be a mental health professional, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Animal Control Officers Association, to be appointed by its president; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society, to be appointed by its president; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Volunteers in Service to Animals Society, to be appointed by its president; and three (3) of whom shall be members of the general public to be appointed by the majority leader.
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 the association between and amongst domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse to produce appropriate public policy and legislation.
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 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 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 March 1, 1999 and said commission shall expire on July 1, 1999.
