2022 -- H 8050

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LC005586

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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 PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Casimiro, Serpa, Amore, Noret, O'Brien,
Alzate, Potter, Baginski, and Felix

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 36-4-16.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit

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System" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors.

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     (a) In the month of March of each year, the department of administration shall conduct a

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public hearing to determine salaries to be paid to directors of all state executive departments for the

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following year, at which hearing all persons shall have the opportunity to provide testimony, orally

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and in writing. In determining these salaries, the department of administration will take into

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consideration the duties and responsibilities of the aforenamed officers, as well as such related

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factors as salaries paid executive positions in other states and levels of government, and in

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comparable positions anywhere that require similar skills, experience, or training. Consideration

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shall also be given to the amounts of salary adjustments made for other state employees during the

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period that pay for directors was set last.

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     (b) Each salary determined by the department of administration will be in a flat amount,

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exclusive of such other monetary provisions as longevity, educational incentive awards, or other

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fringe additives accorded other state employees under provisions of law, and for which directors

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are eligible and entitled.

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     (c) In no event will the department of administration lower the salaries of existing directors

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during their term of office.

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     (d) Upon determination by the department of administration, the proposed salaries of

 

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directors will be referred to the general assembly by the last day in April of that year to go into

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effect thirty (30) days hence, unless rejected by formal action of the house and the senate acting

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concurrently within that time.

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     (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for 2015 only, the time period for the

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department of administration to conduct the public hearing shall be extended to July and the

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proposed salaries shall be referred to the general assembly by August 30. The salaries may take

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effect before next year, but all other provisions of this section shall apply.

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     (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, for 2017 only,

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the salaries of the director of the department of transportation, the secretary of health and human

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services, and the director of administration shall be determined by the governor.

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     (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, for 2021 only,

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the salary of the director of the department of children, youth and families shall be determined by

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the governor.

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     (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, beginning in

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January 1, 2023, the salary of the child advocate of the office of the child advocate shall be one

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hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000) and the salary of the assistant child advocate of the

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office of the child advocate shall be one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000).

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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 PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

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     This act would, effective January 1, 2023, increase the salaries of the child advocate and

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the assistant child advocate for the office of the child advocate to $135,000 and $120,000

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respectively.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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