PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State lawmakers are scheduled to begin hearings this week on the budget for the Office of the Mental Health Advocate even though they have yet to approve the governor's appointment to head the office.
It's been eight months since Governor Chafee announced last June that he was appointing Megan N. Clingham as the state's mental health advocate. The nomination requires senate approval.
The state's former mental health advocate, H. Reed Cosper, retired June 2nd.
The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the budget for the mental health advocate's office Thursday at 3 p.m. in State House room 211.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services is expected to hold a hearing on Clingham's appointment later this month or the first week in March, said Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, the committee's chairman.