2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 37 - Public Property and Works
CHAPTER 37-2.2 - Disability Business Enterprises
§ 37-2.2-4 - Disability business enterprise committee – Membership – Duties.

SECTION 37-2.2-4

   § 37-2.2-4  Disability business enterprise committee – Membership – Duties. – (a) There is hereby established within the governor's commission on disabilities a committee, consisting of nine (9) persons, to be known as the disability business enterprise committee.

   (b) The committee, shall consist of the director of the department of human services or his or her designee; the director of the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals or his or her designee; the director of the economic development corporation or his or her designee; the state purchasing agent or his or her designee; and two (2) persons with disabilities and three (3) representatives of rehabilitation facilities in the state of Rhode Island appointed by the chairperson of the governor's commission on disabilities. All members of the committee shall serve without compensation. Of the number appointed originally under this chapter, one-third (1/3) shall be appointed for a term of one year; one-third (1/3) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and one-third (1/3) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, vacancies created by expiration of terms shall be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed to succeed themselves. The chairperson of the governor's commission on disabilities or his or her designee shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The members of the committee shall elect a vice chairperson and other officers as are necessary from amongst themselves annually.

   (c) The governor's commission on disabilities shall promulgate such rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, as are necessary and proper to ensure responsible management, operation, oversight of the committee, and ensure that all facilities, both nonprofit and profit-making, referred to in §§ 37-2.2-3 and 37-2.2-3.1 meet all applicable government regulations and standards, including those of the United States department of labor, the state department of human services, and the chief purchasing officer with regard to developing a program which involves small disadvantaged businesses as contractors, § 37-2-9(b)(14).

   (d) The committee shall establish a procedure to certify small disadvantaged disability businesses and rehabilitation facilities that qualify under their regulation for a preference under § 37-2.2-3 or 37-2.2-3.1 and submit a list of the certified small disadvantaged disability businesses and rehabilitation facilities and the products and services provided by them to the chief purchasing officer at least once a year. The chief purchasing officer shall utilize that list in the program which involves small disadvantaged businesses as contractors established by § 37-2-9(b)(14).