# Advisory Bodies

### **Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?**

**Yes.** Rhode Island’s [State-Local MOU](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/R.I.-MOU-Between-State-and-Cities-and-Towns-Receiving-Opioid-Settlement-Funds_All-Signature-Pages.pdf) establishes a 17-member [Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee](https://eohhs.ri.gov/Opioid-Settlement-Advisory-Committee) to provide formal recommendations on the uses of settlement funds from the Statewide Abatement share.\[1] The MOU:

* Requires the Advisory Committee to establish a process for receiving input from communities, providers, and local governments on abatement-related needs and proposals\[2]
* Encourages the Advisory Committee to coordinate with established groups, including the Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force and organizations focused on prevention, rescue, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery strategies\[3]

The Advisory Committee is required to meet at least quarterly but has met more frequently since 2022.\[4] The 2024 meetings calendar is available [here](https://eohhs.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur226/files/2024-05/Opioid%20Settlement%20Advisory%20Committee%20-%20Meeting%20Schedule%202024%20\(updated\).pdf). Advisory Committee meetings are public and must comply with the [Rhode Island Open Meetings Act](http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE42/42-46/INDEX.HTM).\[5]

### **Is the state advisory body required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?**

**No.** Rhode Island’s MOU does not require the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to include a member with lived and/or living experience.

### **What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?**

The [Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee](https://eohhs.ri.gov/Opioid-Settlement-Advisory-Committee) has 17 members: six state representatives, six city and town representatives, three expert representatives, and two community representatives.\[6] Its specific composition is defined by the state’s [MOU](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=5):

* Rhode Island Attorney General or their designee
* Speaker of the Rhode Island House or their designee
* Rhode Island Senate President or their designee
* Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court or their designee
* Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health
* Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
* Mayor of the City of Providence or their designee
* Representative from a city or town in Bristol County
* Representative from a city or town in Kent County
* Representative from a city or town in Newport County
* Representative from a city or town in Providence County other than the City of Providence
* Representative from a city or town in Washington County
* Three expert representatives, appointed by a majority vote of the state representatives and city and town representatives\[7]
* Two community representatives, appointed by a majority vote of the state representatives and city and town representatives\[8]

**Current Members:** Current members of the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee are listed on the Advisory Committee’s [website](https://eohhs.ri.gov/Opioid-Settlement-Advisory-Committee).

**Terms:** County and expert representatives generally serve three-year terms,\[9] while community representatives generally serve two-year terms.\[10]

### **Are local governments required to establish a settlement advisory body? If so, are local advisory bodies required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?**

**Up to each locality (not required).** Local governments in Rhode Island are not required to establish opioid settlement advisory bodies. However, localities may choose to establish advisory councils that include members with lived and/or living experience to help ensure that settlement spending reflects community priorities.

### **What else should I know?**

**Not applicable.**

### **Citations**

1. [RI State-Local MOU Secs. V(A)-(B)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=5) and [V(F)(1)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=7). ↑
2. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(E)(3)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=7). ↑
3. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(E)(3)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=7). ↑
4. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(E)(1)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=7);. [*See* Rhode Island Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (“Meeting Materials”)](https://eohhs.ri.gov/Opioid-Settlement-Advisory-Committee). Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024 ↑
5. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(E)(2)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=7). *See also* Rhode Island Secretary of State’s [Open Meetings website](https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/openmeetings). ↑
6. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(B)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=5). ↑
7. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(B)(3)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=6). ↑
8. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(B)(4)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=6). ↑
9. Excepting initial expert representative appointments, which are staggered across two, three, and four-year terms. [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(B)(2)-(3)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=6). ↑
10. . [RI State-Local MOU Sec. V(B)(4)](https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R.I.-State-Subdivision-Agreement.pdf#page=6). ↑