Introduced By: Representatives Crowley and Cambio
Date Introduced : February 9, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 23-1.8-1 and 23-1.8-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.8 entitled "Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired" are hereby amended to read as follows:
23-1.8-1. Purpose -- Creation of commission. --
(a) In view of the barriers and disadvantages which deafness and
hearing impairments impose on those individuals so {DEL afflicted, DEL}
{ADD affected ADD} and in view of the testimony on deafness received
by a legislative study commission, it is hereby proposed that
a permanent Rhode Island commission of the deaf and hard-of-hearing
be established. This commission shall be composed as follows:
a nine (9) member commission, seven (7) of whom are appointed
by the governor, one representative appointed by the speaker of
the house and one senator appointed by the senate majority leader.
Four (4) of the governor's appointments shall be initially appointed
for a term to expire July 1, 1995 and three (3) members shall
be appointed for a term to expire July 1, 1994. Thereafter the
commissioners shall serve staggered two-year terms, each member
serving until his or her successor is appointed. These commissioners
shall be responsible for the establishment of policies and the
appointment of an executive director who shall be in the unclassified
service and other staff as are needed and for whom appropriations
are available. They shall meet not less than four (4) times per
year, and shall not be paid for their services, except for reimbursement
of expenses incurred by their service. The commissioners may elect
their own officers.
(b) The members appointed by the governor shall include two (2) individuals who are deaf, two (2) who are hard-of-hearing, two (2) who are hearing and one who is either deaf or hard-of-hearing. Commission members shall select their own chairperson. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum.
23-1.8-2. Duties -- Activities. -- The commission shall be primarily a coordinating and advocating body, acting on behalf of the special concerns of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Rhode Island. Its activities shall be independent of any existing agency or department within the state. The commission shall be accountable directly to the executive office of the state, and shall submit an annual report to the governor. The commission will assume the following duties:
(1) Bring about greater cooperation and coordination among agencies and organizations now servicing or having the potential to serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing;
(2) Promote greater accessibility to services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing;
(3) Conduct an ongoing needs assessment;
(4) Promote increased awareness and provide information and referrals;
(5) Advocate for the enactment of legislation which would assist the needs of individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing;
(6) Administer a sign language interpreter referral service;
(7) Take necessary action to improve the quality of life for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals living in Rhode Island.
{ADD (8) Develop a statewide coordinating council which will coordinate the implementation of the comprehensive statewide strategic plan for children in Rhode Island who are deaf or have hearing loss. The composition, functions and activities of the statewide coordinating council shall be consistent with the provisions of the strategic plan developed through the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
