2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 40 - Human services
CHAPTER 40-17 - Support of Homeless
§ 40-17-5 - Commission established.

SECTION 40-17-5

   § 40-17-5  Commission established. – (a) There is hereby created a permanent legislative commission to be called the "commission on the homeless" consisting of twenty (20) members:

   (1) Two (2) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than one from the same political party to be appointed by the speaker, of whom two (2) may be members of the general public appointed in lieu of legislative appointments;

   (2) Two (2) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than one from the same political party to be appointed by the president of the senate, of whom two (2) may be members of the general public appointed in lieu of legislative appointments;

   (3) One of whom shall be representative of the general public to be appointed by the governor;

   (4) One of whom shall be the director of the department of health or his or her designee;

   (5) One of whom shall be the director of the department of human services or his or her designee;

   (6) One of whom shall be the director of mental health, retardation, and hospitals or his or her designee;

   (7) One of whom shall be the director of children, youth, and families or his or her designee;

   (8) One of whom shall be the director of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation or his or her designee;

   (9) One of whom shall be the mayor of the city of Providence, or his or her designee;

   (10) One of whom shall be the mayor of Warwick or his or her designee;

   (11) One of whom shall be the mayor of Woonsocket or his or her designee;

   (12) One of whom shall be the mayor of Newport or his or her designee;

   (13) Two (2) of whom shall be representatives of shelters for the homeless located in the state to be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

   (14) One of whom shall be the director of the Providence office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or his or her designee;

   (15) One of whom shall be the executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers or his or her designee;

   (16) One of whom shall be the executive director of the Council on Domestic Violence or his or her designee;

   (17) One of whom shall be the chairperson of the Emergency Food and Shelter Board or his or her designee and whose purpose it shall be to identify the extent of the homeless problem in the state to evaluate programs for the homeless developed by state and local governments and the Providence mental health center;

   to study and make findings concerning homeless individuals and families in the state of Rhode Island and to make recommendations to the governor and general assembly concerning legislation and programs to assist the homeless.

   (b) Forthwith upon the passage of this chapter, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the governor and organize and shall select from among the members a chairperson. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

   (c) The membership of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their travel and necessary expenses. The commission may engage such clerical, technical, and other assistance as it may deem necessary, and spend such other funds as is necessary to accomplish its purpose.

   (d) The department of human services is hereby directed to provide suitable quarters and staff for the commission.

   (e) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary, and otherwise to the commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.