2022 -- H 7737 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, S Lima, Morales, Batista, McEntee,
Cassar, Speakman, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-11-2.7 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-11 entitled "Department

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of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-11-2.7. Office of diversity, equity and opportunity established.

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     (a) The office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO) shall be established as a

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division within the department of administration. The purpose of the office shall be to ensure

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nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, and equal opportunity in all aspects of state government,

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including, but not limited to, employment, procurement, policy and practices relative to state

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programs, services, and activities.

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     (b) The head of this division shall be known as the associate director of ODEO, who shall

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be appointed by the director of administration, in the classified service of the state, and shall be

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responsible to, and report to, the director. The associate director of ODEO shall oversee the ODEO

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in all aspects, including, but not limited to, coordination of the provisions of chapter 14.1 of title

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37 (minority business enterprise) and chapter 5.1 of title 28 (equal opportunity and affirmative

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action) wherein the ODEO shall have direct administrative supervision of the state's equal

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opportunity office.

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     (c) ODEO shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

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     (1) Develop, administer, implement, and maintain a statewide diversity plan and program,

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including an equity, equal-opportunity, minority business enterprise, and supplier-diversity

 

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program, as well as other related plans and programs within the office;

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     (2) Provide leadership in the development and coordination of recruitment and retention

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activities in order to promote diversity and encourage the use of bias-free methods and practices in

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the hiring process, performance reviews, and promotions, and to ensure compliance with applicable

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federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies;

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     (3) Support the growth and development of the state's minority business enterprise program

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by engaging in concerted outreach programs to build relationships, maintaining effective programs

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to promote minority business enterprise utilization, and facilitating minority business enterprise in

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State procurement activities;

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     (4) Develop, coordinate, and oversee the recruitment, selection, and retention efforts and

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initiatives to promote and achieve the state's diversity goals and objectives, developing and

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recommending recruitment strategies, and assisting with special recruitment efforts directed toward

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ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups; and

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     (5) Provide leadership in advancing management's understanding, capacity, and

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accountability for embedding diversity and equity in employment and human resource management

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practices as an integral part of the state's employment opportunities.;

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     (6) Create and execute a strategic plan for increased cultural competency for all state

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employees:

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     (i) ODEO shall prescribe by regulation a cultural competency model training program;

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     (ii) ODEO shall require all state employees to annually receive said training program

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beginning July 1, 2022; and

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     (iii) For the purposes of this section, "cultural competency" means an understanding of

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how institutions and individuals can respond respectfully and effectively to people from all

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cultures, economic statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities,

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religions, genders, gender identifications, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, immigration status

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and other characteristics in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth, and preserves

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the dignity, of individuals, families and communities.

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     (d) The director of administration may promulgate rules and regulations recommended by

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the associate director in order to effectuate the purposes and requirements of this act.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

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     This act would require the office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO) to create and

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for all state employees to receive annual training in cultural competency. It would define "cultural

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competency" as an understanding of how institutions and individuals can respectfully respond to

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people from all different backgrounds such as race, language, economic, gender, veterans and

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disabilities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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