§ 28-11.1-1 - Statement of policy. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 28-11.1-1

   § 28-11.1-1  Statement of policy. –(a) The public interest requires that persons engaged in all lawful types ofemployment be encouraged to serve as elected members of part-time electedbodies. To facilitate this encouragement, it is necessary wherever practicalfor employers of part-time elected officials to provide flexible work schedulesso that those employees serving as part-time elected officials might attend tothe business of the people of the state of Rhode Island and its municipalities.The anticipated flexible work schedules shall be within the reasonableoperation of the employer's business.

   (b) The public interest also requires that all part-timeelected officials of elected bodies be free from undue influence or pressure bytheir employers as it relates to their decisions and relative to legislationwhich they might consider or introduce.

   (c) No employer shall be permitted to either directly orindirectly use any condition of the part-time elected official's employment asa means of influencing the legislator's vote on any legislation or introductionof his or her own legislation.