Rhode Island § 42-109-9 - Omnibus Substance Abuse Prevention Act

§ 42-109-9. Legislative oversight commission.

(a) There is created a legislative commission entitled “Legislative Oversight Commission on Special Substance Abuse Programs,” the purpose of which shall be to oversee the implementation and administration of all moneys and programs involving the Benjamin Rush Detox Program, and the Driving While Intoxicated Program, and to report to the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals and to the general assembly with advice and recommendations as to the adequacy, efficacy and efficiency of all statutes, rules, regulations, guidelines, practices, and programs relating to those substance abuse programs, and any other matters it deems appropriate.

(b) The commission shall consist of five (5) members: two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate as follows: one member who shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state and whose medical practice concentrates on substance abuse treatment and prevention; one member who shall be a registered nurse (R.N.) who is licensed in this state and concentrates in substance abuse treatment and prevention; three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house as follows: one member who shall be a certified chemical dependency professional (C.C.D.P.); one member who shall be clinical supervisor of a private or public substance abuse treatment and prevention clinic; and one member who shall be an executive director of a private or public substance abuse treatment agency; provided, however, that no member of the general assembly shall be appointed to the commission. The chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. The commission may request and shall receive from any instrumentality of the state, including the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, department of children, youth and families, department of human services and other departments as the commission sees fit and from any municipality or any instrumentality thereof, any information and assistance that it deems necessary for the proper execution of its powers and duties under this section. The commission shall meet at least quarterly and shall report at least annually to the general assembly on its findings and recommendations with respect to any matters relating to those substance abuse treatment programs listed herein.

(c) The commission shall operate in conjunction with the permanent legislative oversight commission on substance abuse prevention established pursuant to the provisions of § 16-21.2-9 and with the permanent legislative oversight commission on substance abuse treatment established pursuant to the provisions of § 40.1-1-12; provided, however, that primary oversight of the Benjamin Rush Detox Program, and the Driving While Intoxicated Program shall be the function of the commission established in this section.