14-R361

2014 -- S 3125

Enacted06/19/14

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING THE "SPECIAL SENATE TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EVALUATION AND

CERTIFICATION OF FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS"

Introduced By: Senator Juan M.Pichardo

Date Introduced: June 18, 2014

WHEREAS, Each year, countless immigrants come to Rhode Island with training and

professional certifications from their country of origin but cannot practice their profession

because they lack similar certification from the state; and

     WHEREAS, Among these individuals are trained pharmacists, nurses, and doctors who

cannot practice due to a lack of US and RI certifications; and

WHEREAS, Helping such professionals obtain in-state certification can help address the

great need for talented health professionals in Rhode Island, particularly those with cultural and

language competencies; and

     WHEREAS, Helping other similarly-certified professionals can help close labor

shortages in other industries, such as the skilled trades and manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, Proper review and certification processes for foreign-trained

professionals  can help ensure professional competency and protect public health and well-being

as well as provide a real economic benefit to the state through increased earning capacity, tax

revenue, and economic vitality; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to programs such as the Welcome Back Center at

Dorcas Place, which has been successful in helping foreign-trained professionals in the healthcare

field overcome barriers to employment such as learning English, navigating Rhode Island’s

licensure and test-taking requirements, and becoming familiar with the U.S. health care system;

now therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the "Special Senate Task Force to Study the Evaluation and

Certification of Foreign-Trained Professionals," be and the same is hereby created consisting of

seven (7) members: one of whom shall be a member of the Senate, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate, who shall serve as chair; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Department of Business Regulation, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Department of Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Higher Education,

or designee; one of whom shall be shall be the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode

Island, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Director of the Welcome Back Center at

Dorcas Place, 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 member of the general public.

The purpose of said task force shall be to undertake a comprehensive study regarding the

feasibility, challenges, and opportunities of establishing of a statewide system for evaluating and

certifying prior training, skills, and education of foreign-trained professionals.

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

call of the Senate President.

Vacancies in said task force shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

The membership of said task force 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 task force  and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

by the task force to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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

suitable quarters for said task force; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Senate on or before March 4, 2015, and said commission shall expire on July 1, 2015.

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LC005987

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