AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES OVERSIGHT (Establishes a permanent joint committee to oversee the department of children, youth and families.)

H7237

2026 -- H 7237
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LC003732
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES OVERSIGHT

Introduced By:
Representatives Casimiro, Giraldo, Shallcross Smith, Read, Spears, and
Potter

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 22 of the General Laws entitled "GENERAL ASSEMBLY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 7.11
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PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH
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AND FAMILIES OVERSIGHT
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22-7.11-1. Permanent committee -- Composition.

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There is created a permanent joint committee of the general assembly on the oversight of
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the department of children, youth and families, to consist of eleven (11) members of the general
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assembly, six (6) of whom shall be from the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker,
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not more than four (4) of whom shall be from the same political party; five (5) of whom shall be
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from the senate, to be appointed by the president of the senate, not more than three (3) of whom
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shall be from the same political party. Vacancies shall be filled in like manner as the original
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appointments. The members of the joint committee on the oversight of the department of children,
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youth and families shall serve so long as they shall remain members of the house from which they
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were appointed and until their successors are duly appointed and qualified.
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22-7.11-2. Selection of officers.

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Upon organization of the joint committee, by majority vote, one of their members shall be
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chosen as chairperson, another of their members shall be chosen vice-chairperson, and another of

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their members shall be chosen as secretary.
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22-7.11-3. Duties.

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It shall be the duty of this joint committee to oversee the department of children, youth and
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families, and to consult and counsel with all federal and state agencies dealing with the department
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of children, youth and families.
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22-7.11-4. Reports and recommendations.

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The joint committee on the department of children, youth and families oversight shall from
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time to time and at least annually report to the general assembly on its findings and the results of
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its studies and make any recommendations to the general assembly and propose any legislation or
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initiate any studies that it shall deem advisable.
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22-7.11-5. Technical assistance.

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The joint committee shall, if it finds it cannot obtain the proper assistance from available
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sources, contract for any technical services that it shall require to effectuate its purposes.
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22-7.11-6. References to committee.

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Each branch of the legislature shall refer to the joint committee, either initially or after
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action by other committees, all bills and resolutions dealing with or affecting the department of
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children, youth and families.
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22-7.11-7. Place of meeting — Quorum.

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The joint committee on legislative services shall provide adequate space in the state house
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for the use of the joint committee on the department of children, youth and families oversight;
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provided, however, that the joint committee on the department of children, youth and families
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oversight may conduct hearings and hold meetings elsewhere when doing so will better serve its
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purposes. A majority in number of the joint committee on the department of children, youth and
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families shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES OVERSIGHT
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This act would establish a permanent joint committee to oversee the department of
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children, youth and families.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003732
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