2022 -- S 2415

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LC003638

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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 -

TELEWORKING PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Senators Mack, Calkin, Acosta, Anderson, Kallman, Mendes, and Bell

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 36-4 of the General Laws entitled "Merit System" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     36-4-66. Teleworking program.

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     (a) Each state agency and department within the executive branch, shall establish a policy

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and program to allow their employees to perform all or a portion of their duties through

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teleworking, to the maximum extent possible, without diminishing employee performance. Each

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agency and department shall designate a "telework coordinator" to be responsible for overseeing

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the institution and implementation of the teleworking program.

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     (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "telework" means to perform normal and

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regular work functions on a workday, that ordinarily would be performed at the agency or

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department's principal location, at a different location, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing

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the physical commute to and from such agency or department's principal location.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003638

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES - MERIT SYSTEM -

TELEWORKING PROGRAM

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     This act would require all executive branch agencies and departments to establish and

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administer a teleworking program to allow their employees to work at a different location, rather

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than their ordinary principal work location.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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