Chapter 038
2023 -- S 0904
Enacted 05/30/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, DiMario, Miller, Sosnowski, Murray, Zurier, Acosta, Ciccone, and Gallo

Date Introduced: March 30, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 36-4-16.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit
System" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors and secretaries.
     (a) In the month of March of each year, the department of administration shall conduct a
public hearing to determine salaries to be paid to directors of all state executive departments for the
following year, at which hearing all persons shall have the opportunity to provide testimony, orally
and in writing. In determining these salaries, the department of administration will take into
consideration the duties and responsibilities of the aforenamed officers, as well as such related
factors as salaries paid executive positions in other states and levels of government, and in
comparable positions anywhere that require similar skills, experience, or training. Consideration
shall also be given to the amounts of salary adjustments made for other state employees during the
period that pay for directors was set last.
     (b) Each salary determined by the department of administration will be in a flat amount,
exclusive of such other monetary provisions as longevity, educational incentive awards, or other
fringe additives accorded other state employees under provisions of law, and for which directors
are eligible and entitled.
     (c) In no event will the department of administration lower the salaries of existing directors
during their term of office.
     (d) Upon determination by the department of administration, the proposed salaries of
directors will be referred to the general assembly by the last day in April of that year to go into
effect thirty (30) days hence, unless rejected by formal action of the house and the senate acting
concurrently within that time.
     (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for 2022 only, the time period for the
department of administration to conduct the public hearing shall be extended to September and the
proposed salaries shall be referred to the general assembly by October 30. The salaries may take
effect before next year, but all other provisions of this section shall apply.
     (f) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 231, art. 3, ยง 12.]
     (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, for 2022 2023
only, the salary of the director of the department of children, youth and families shall be determined
by the governor.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC002762
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