§ 16-21.2-9 - Permanent legislative oversight commission on substance abuse prevention.

SECTION 16-21.2-9

   § 16-21.2-9  Permanent legislativeoversight commission on substance abuse prevention. – There is established a permanent legislative oversight commission on substanceabuse prevention whose purpose it shall be to oversee the implementation andadministration of the Rhode Island Substance Abuse Prevention Act and to adviseand make recommendations to the general assembly as to the adequacy andefficiency of all statutes, rules, regulations, guidelines, practices, andprograms relating to substance abuse prevention. The commission shall consistof twelve (12) members: five (5) members shall be appointed by the speaker ofthe house of representatives from among the members of the house ofrepresentatives, not more than four (4) of whom shall be from the samepolitical party; three (3) members shall be appointed by the president of thesenate from among the members of the senate, not more than two (2) of whomshall be from the same political party; and one member (ex officio) shall bethe director of the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals andone member (ex officio) shall be the director of the department of health ordesignee; and a Rhode Island Substance Abuse Prevention Act task force memberto be appointed by the chairperson of the commission; and a public memberappointed by the chairperson of the commission. The chairperson of thecommission shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that theyshall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in theperformance of their duties under this section. The commission may request andshall receive from any instrumentality of the state, including the division ofsubstance abuse of the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitalsand from any municipality or any instrumentality of a municipality, anyinformation and assistance that it deems necessary for the proper execution ofits powers and duties under this section. The commission shall meet at leastquarterly and shall report at least annually to the general assembly on itsfindings and recommendations with respect to:

   (1) All existing substance abuse prevention programs;

   (2) All rules, regulations, and guidelines promulgatedpursuant to the Rhode Island Substance Abuse Prevention Act;

   (3) Administration of the Rhode Island Substance AbusePrevention Act; and

   (4) Any other matters relating to substance abuse preventionefforts in the state.