(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.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-74-1

  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.

(b)  The children’s code commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, each of whom shall serve a two (2) year 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 his or her designee; the director of the department of human services, or his or her designee; the director of the department of health, or his or her designee; the director of the department of elementary and secondary education, or his or her 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 his or her designee; and, the chief judge of the family court, or his or her 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.

History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 248, § 3; P.L. 1984, ch. 118, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 114.