2022 -- S 2460

========

LC005120

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES - MERIT SYSTEM

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Miller, DiMario, Felag, Acosta, Murray, Lawson,
Seveney, Pearson, and Cano

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

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

2

System" is hereby amended to read as follows:

3

     36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors.

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

period that pay for directors was set last.

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

are eligible and entitled.

17

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

18

during their term of office.

19

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

 

1

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

2

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

3

concurrently within that time.

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

the governor.

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005120

========

 

LC005120 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES - MERIT SYSTEM

***

1

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

2

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

3

respectively.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005120

========

 

LC005120 - Page 3 of 3