Chapter 04-012

2004 -- H 8294

Enacted 05/13/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO A JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF A FUNDING INDEX FOR PRIVATE COMMUNITY-BASED

PROVIDERS OPERATING PURSUANT TO CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Williams

Date Introduced: March 11, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 1, Article 27, of Chapter 376 of the 2003 Public Laws, an article

entitled “RELATING TO A JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF A FUNDING INDEX FOR PRIVATE COMMUNITY-BASED

PROVIDERS OPERATING PURSUANT TO CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE OF RHODE

ISLAND” is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 1. SECTION 1. There is hereby created a Joint Legislative Commission

consisting of eleven (11) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the House of

Representatives, of which one (1) member shall be from the minority party, all of whom shall be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; three (3) of whom shall be from the Senate, of which one

(1) member shall be from the minority party, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of

the Senate; three (3) of whom shall be from the Executive Branch, all of whom shall be appointed

by the Governor; and two (2) of whom shall be representatives of private community-based

providers, both of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     The purpose of this commission shall be to undertake analyses and make

recommendations for legislative and/or administrative proposals or actions to implement an

annual funding index to address the long-term funding stability of the private community-based

providers with whom the state of Rhode Island contracts to provide the human services the state

of Rhode Island historically has recognized as necessary to the health and welfare of its citizens.

     Over the last several years, the private community-based providers with whom the state

of Rhode Island contracts have experienced increased costs in all areas of business operations and

categories of expenditures. However, in recent years, reimbursement by the state of Rhode Island

for these services has been limited either to partial reimbursement or level funding. The

implementation of an annual funding index would more accurately reflect increased costs, and

would provide budget stability for both the state of Rhode Island and the private community-

based providers with whom the state of Rhode Island contracts.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select from among the legislators a

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

appointment.

     The membership of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state of Rhode Island shall furnish such advice and

information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed

necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this Act.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission.

     The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly

on or before June 30, 2004 and said commission shall expire on December 31, 2004.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02959

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