2021 -- S 0985

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LC003088

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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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 EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

ADMINISTRATION OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Louis P. DiPalma

     Date Introduced: June 27, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     WHEREAS, The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) was

established in state law in 2006 to serve as the principal agency of the executive branch of state

government to manage the State’s four health and human services departments: the Departments

of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Health (RIDOH), and Human Services (DHS), and

Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH); and

     WHEREAS, The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is

administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services who is responsible to the Governor

for supervising EOHHS and for managing and providing strategic leadership and direction to the

four health and human services departments; and

     WHEREAS, EOHHS is intended to be a consumer-centered system of publicly-financed

state administered health and human services that supports access to high-quality services,

protects the safety of the State's most vulnerable citizens, and ensures the efficient use of all

available resources by the four departments responsible for the health and human services

programs serving all Rhode Islanders and providing direct assistance and support services

individuals and families; and

     WHEREAS, EOHHS was charged with leading the four (4) departments in order to:

     (1) Improve the economy, efficiency, coordination, and quality of health and human

services policy and planning, budgeting, and financing;

     (2) Design strategies and implement best practices that foster service access, consumer

safety, and positive outcomes;

     (3) Maximize and leverage funds from all available public and private sources, including

federal financial participation, grants, and awards;

     (4) Increase public confidence by conducting independent reviews of health and human

services issues in order to promote accountability and coordination across departments; and

     (5) Ensure that state health and human services policies and programs are responsive to

changing consumer needs and to the network of community providers that deliver assistive

services and supports on their behalf, and other duties pursuant to § 42-7.2-2; and

     WHEREAS, The health and human services landscape has changed greatly since 2006;

now, therefore be it

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

consisting of not more than eleven (11) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the

Senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of

the Senate; and not more than eight (8) of whom shall be members with relevant expertise and

experience as providers, partners and/or stakeholders of the Executive Office of Health and

Human Services, the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program, the Department of Children, Youth

and Families, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, and the Department

of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in

place of a legislator, provided that the Senate President or the Minority Leader of the political

party that is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to review and make recommendations on how

to most efficiently and effectively administer health and human services in the state of Rhode

Island.

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

the call of the President of the Senate, who shall appoint a Chair of the commission. Vacancies in

said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     A quorum of the commission shall consist of a majority of its membership, and 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,

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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, 2022, and said commission shall expire on July 1,

2022.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

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 EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

ADMINISTRATION OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would create a not more than eleven (11) member special legislative

commission whose purpose it would be to review and make recommendations on how to most

efficiently and effectively administer health and human services in the state of Rhode Island, and

who would report back to the Senate no later than March 1, 2022, and whose life would expire on

July 1, 2022.

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LC003088

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