Increasing State Response Capacity for Covid-19 Variants

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor Raimondo issued Executive Order 20-02 declaring a state of emergency due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19, and that Order has been extended until at least September 4, 2021;

WHEREAS, on August 19, 2021, I issued Executive Order 21-86 declaring a disaster emergency for new COVID-19 variants;

WHEREAS, the State continues to work to build its COVID-19 response capacity, including the expansion of its abilities to conduct critical incident command service functions in the face of significant nation-wide and local nursing shortages; and

WHEREAS, section 30-15-9(e)(1) of the Rhode Island General Laws permits the Governor to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance therewith would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with an emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DANIEL J. MCKEE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island, pursuant to Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, Title 30, Chapter 15, and Title 23, Chapter 8, do hereby order and direct the following:

1. The prohibitions and restrictions on post-retirement employment by persons who have retired under the provisions of R. I. Gen. Laws Title 16, 36, or 45, contained in R. I. Gen. Laws§ 36-10-36, continue to be suspended with respect to those specific retirees identified by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).
2. With respect to each retiree identified by RIDOH as possessing the skills, training, or knowledge necessary to address the public health crisis engendered by COVID-19 and its emerging variants, RIDOH shall execute and deliver to the State Retirement Board of the Employees Retirement System of the State of Rhode Island a written certification that such re-employment (a) is of finite duration and (b) is necessitated by the good faith belief that the skills, training, or knowledge of such retiree is needed to address the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 and its emerging variants.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect until September 25, 2021, unless renewed, modified, or terminated by subsequent Executive Order.

So Ordered,

Daniel J. McKee

Governor