Rhode Island § 42-6-3 - Departments of State Government
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 42-6-3 — Departments of State Government, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-6-3. Departments of State Government
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-6-3
§ 42-6-3. Appointment of directors.
(a) At the January session following the governor’s election to office, the governor shall appoint a director of administration, a director of revenue, a director of public safety, a director of human services, a director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, a director of transportation, a director of business regulation, a director of labor and training, a director of environmental management, a director for children, youth and families, and a director of corrections. The governor shall, in all cases of appointment of a director while the senate is in session, notify the senate of the governor’s appointment and the senate shall, within sixty (60) legislative days after receipt of the notice, act upon the appointment. If the senate shall, within sixty (60) legislative days, vote to disapprove the appointment, it shall so notify the governor, who shall forthwith appoint and notify the senate of the appointment of a different person as director and so on in like manner until the senate shall fail to so vote disapproval of the governor’s appointment. If the senate shall fail, for sixty (60) legislative days next after notice, to act upon any appointment of which it has been notified by the governor, the person so appointed shall be the director. The governor may withdraw any appointment of which the governor has given notice to the senate, at any time within sixty (60) legislative days thereafter and before action has been taken thereon by the senate.
(b) Except as expressly provided in § 42-6-9, and except that the governor may enter into a contract of employment for a director of the department of children, youth and families for a period of time up to three (3) years, no director of any department shall be appointed or employed pursuant to any contract of employment for a period of time greater than the remainder of the governor’s current term of office. Any contract entered into in violation of this section after July 1, 1994, is hereby declared null and void.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 4; P.L. 1941, ch. 1070, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1951, ch. 2727,
art. 1, § 3; P.L. 1951, ch. 2752, § 22; G.L. 1956, § 46-6-3; P.L. 1961, ch. 99, §
1; impl. am. P.L. 1964, ch. 233; impl. am. P.L. 1965, ch. 137; impl. am. P.L. 1968,
ch. 197; impl. am. P.L. 1970, ch. 111, § 1; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970; P.L. 1974, ch.
100, § 3; P.L. 1976, ch. 290, § 10; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 15; P.L. 1978, ch. 7, §
1; P.L. 1980, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 23, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 181, art. 61, §
13; P.L. 1985, ch. 365, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 206, § 12; P.L. 1993, ch. 216, § 1; P.L.
1993, ch. 422, § 9; P.L. 1994, ch. 14, § 9; P.L. 1994, ch. 111, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch.
428, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 12, § 5; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 8; P.L.
1997, ch. 254, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 590, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 246, art. 38, § 7; P.L.
2008, ch. 100, art. 9, § 9; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 12; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art.
3, § 9, effective July 6, 2021.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 42-6-3
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 42-6-3 cover?
Section 42-6-3 ("Departments of State Government") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 42-6-3?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 42-6-3" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 42-6-3 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.