06-R 386

2006 -- S 2300

Enacted 06/22/06

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY EDUCATIONAL

ALTERNATIVES FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS IMPACTED BY A VIRAL PANDEMIC

Introduced By: Senators Issa, Perry, Polisena, and Felag

Date Introduced: February 02, 2006

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of fifteen (15) members: five (5) of whom shall be from the House of Representatives,

not more than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

five (5) of whom shall be from the Senate, not more than four (4) from the same political party, to

be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island

Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Governor of Rhode Island, or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Commissioner of

Higher Education, or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Director of Health, or

designee; and one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Telecommunications

Authority, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of the impact a

viral pandemic would have on the delivery of education to students enrolled in K-12 public and

private schools. To develop and examine strategies, including, but not limited to, virtual internet

instruction via cable and satellite television, that would provide alternative schooling for students

in the event of a health crisis resulting from a viral pandemic.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate 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 said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state 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 resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than January 31, 2007 and said commission shall expire on March 31,

2007.

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LC01398

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