§ 23-4-6. State medical examiners commission.
(a) There is established the state medical examiners commission. The commission shall
hear and determine appeals to decisions by chief medical examiners regarding the undertaking
of investigations, inquests, and autopsies, and shall advise the chief medical examiner
on matters of public concern.
(b) The commission shall consist of twelve (12) members, three (3) of whom shall be ex
officio members, viz., the director of health, the attorney general, the superintendent
of state police, and nine (9) citizens of the state to be appointed by the governor
with the advice and consent of the senate for the term of three (3) years. The governor
shall give due consideration to any recommendations for nominations submitted to him
or her by the president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, the president of the
Rhode Island Society of Pathologists, the president of the Rhode Island Bar Association,
the vice president of Brown University Division of Biological and Medical Sciences
and the president of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association. Each citizen
member shall hold office for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her
successor is appointed. Vacancies for citizen members shall be filled by appointment
for the unexpired term only.
(c) The director of health and the attorney general shall be the chairperson and vice
chairperson, respectively, of the commission. The chief medical examiner of the office
of state medical examiners shall serve as the executive secretary of the commission,
and the expenses of the commission shall be a responsibility of the department of
health. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems
necessary. Seven (7) members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the vote of
a majority of those present and voting shall be required for action. The commission
shall meet at the call of its chairperson and at least four (4) times each year, the
time and the place for each meeting to be fixed by the chairperson.
(d) Members of the commission shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions
of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal
reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
(e) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the commission shall approve
and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the president of the senate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during
that fiscal year. The report shall provide an operating statement summarizing meetings
or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered,
appeals considered and their disposition, rules or regulations promulgated, studies
conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified, and programs administered
or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended
including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds,
and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary
of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings
and remedies; a synopsis of hearing, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters
related to the authority of the commission; a summary of any training courses held
pursuant to this chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal
year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted
electronically on the websites of the general assembly and the secretary of state
pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement
of the provisions of this subsection.
(f) The commission shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members
within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed
by the chair of the commission, be approved by the commission, and be conducted by
the chair of the commission. The commission may approve the use of any commission
and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist with training. The training course
shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 42-46,
36-14 and 38-2; and the commission's rules and regulations. The director of the department
of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of June 16, 2006, prepare and disseminate
training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.