§ 5-71-5 - Board of examiners – Duties and powers – Meetings – Compensation of members.
SECTION 5-71-5
§ 5-71-5 Board of examiners – Dutiesand powers – Meetings – Compensation of members. – (a) The department with the assistance of the board shall administer,coordinate and enforce the provisions of this chapter, evaluate thequalifications of applicants, and may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, andadminister oaths, and investigate persons engaging in practices which violatethe provisions of this chapter.
(b) The department shall conduct hearings and shall keeprecords and minutes that are necessary for the orderly dispatch of business.
(c) The department shall hold public hearings regarding rulesand regulations.
(d) The department in consultation with the board, inaccordance with the rule-making provisions of the Administrative ProceduresAct, chapter 35 of title 42, shall adopt responsible rules and regulations, andmay amend or repeal those rules and regulations. Following their adoption, therules and regulations shall govern and control the professional conduct ofevery person who holds a license to practice interpreting or transliteratingfor the deaf in the state of Rhode Island.
(e) Regular meetings of the board shall be held, and specialmeetings may be held upon the call of the chairperson as necessary to deal withsuch issues as violations of this chapter; provided, that at least one regularmeeting is held each calendar year.
(f) The conferral or enumeration of specific powers in thischapter shall not be construed as a limitation of the general powers conferredby the section. No member of the board shall be liable to civil action for anyact performed in good faith in the performance of his or her duties asprescribed by this chapter.
(g) Board members shall serve on an honorable basis withoutcompensation.
(h) The board may request legal advice and assistance fromthe appropriate legal officer.
(i) The board shall conduct a training course for newlyappointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their appointment. Thecourse shall be developed and conducted by the chair of the commission,approved by the commission, and shall include instruction in the subject areasof this chapter, and chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2, and the commission'srules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall,within ninety (90) days of March 29, 2006, prepare and disseminate trainingmaterials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.
(j) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscalyear, the board shall approve and submit an annual report to the governor, thespeaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and thesecretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shallprovide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held,including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, licensesconsidered and their dispositions, rules or regulations promulgated, studiesconducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified, and programsadministered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all fundsreceived and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staffsupported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative ortechnical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscalyear including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis ofhearings, complaints, suspensions or other legal matters related to theauthority of the board; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to theprovisions of paragraph 5-71-5(i); a briefing on anticipated activities in theupcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. Thereport shall be posted electronically on the general assembly and the secretaryof state's websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of thedepartment of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of thisprovision.