| 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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