Rhode Island § 42-74-1 - Children’s Code Commission

§ 42-74-1. Children’s code commission.

(a) There shall be a continuing children’s code commission charged with the duty of studying, revising, and codifying, if possible, all laws affecting the health and welfare of children.

(b) The children’s code commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, each of whom shall serve a two-year (2) term, expiring on the second anniversary of each individual’s appointment or on the date that their respective successors are appointed and qualified, whichever is later. The membership of the children’s code commission shall consist of three (3) members of the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party and three (3) members of the house of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party to be appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, respectively; the director of the department of children, youth and families, or the director's designee; the director of the department of human services, or the director's designee; the director of the department of health, or the director's designee; the director of the department of elementary and secondary education, or the director's designee; nine (9) members of the community at large to be appointed by the governor for their interest and expertise in the field under consideration; the child advocate for the state, or the child advocate's designee; and, the chief judge of the family court, or the chief judge's designee. The committee shall select one of its members as chairperson.

(c) The children’s code commission shall meet at least twelve (12) times a year and shall be charged with delivering on or before December 15 of each calendar year its report to the governor and the legislature regarding its findings for that calendar year. The commission’s annual report shall include, but not be limited to, its recommendations for revisions, amendments, additions, or consolidation of the laws affecting children to insure that these laws promote, safeguard, and protect the well-being of children.