# 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%28updated%29.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). ↑ --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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