2003 -- S 0983

=======

LC02852

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2003

____________

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF

TOXIC MOLD

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Sosnowski, Lanzi, and Polisena

     Date Introduced: April 01, 2003

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

1-1

     RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created

1-2

consisting of seven (7) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the Senate, not more than two

1-3

(2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1) of whom

1-4

shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the

1-5

Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be

1-6

from the Division of Occupational Safety, to be appointed by the Director of the Department of

1-7

Labor and Training; and one (1) of whom shall be from the Building Code Commission, to be

1-8

appointed by the Director of the Department of Administration.

1-9

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

1-10

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly

1-11

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

1-12

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

1-13

is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

1-14

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study the health effects of toxic mold and

1-15

make recommendations on methods to protect the public from unsafe indoor exposure from toxic

1-16

mold. They shall make a comprehensive review of current research and studies, and current

1-17

findings and recommendations regarding toxic mold’s health effects and indoor exposure limits.

1-18

The commission’s recommendations shall include potential alternative safe exposure limits for

1-19

certain facilities, including, but not limited to, schools, hospitals, child care facilities and nursing

2-1

homes and prospective regulations for the establishment and enforcement of safe indoor exposure

2-2

limits in all public and private buildings in the state of Rhode Island.

2-3

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

2-4

the call of the President of the Senate and organize and shall select from among the legislators a

2-5

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

2-6

appointment.

2-7

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

2-8

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

2-9

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

2-10

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

2-11

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

2-12

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

2-13

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

2-14

Senate on or before March 17, 2004 and said commission shall expire on May 17, 2004.

=======

LC02852

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF

TOXIC MOLD

***

3-1

     This resolution would create a seven (7) member special Senate commission whose

3-2

purpose it would be to study the health effects of toxic mold and make recommendations on

3-3

methods and regulations to protect the public from unsafe indoor exposure from toxic mold, and

3-4

who would report back to the Senate no later than March 17, 2004 and whose life would expire

3-5

on May 17, 2004.

=======

LC02852

=======