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2012 -- H 7167 | |
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LC00643 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Petrarca, Winfield, O`Neill, Brien, and Palumbo | |
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Date Introduced: January 18, 2012 | |
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Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare | |
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It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
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16-21-35. Texting in school restricted. -- (a) The Rhode Island department of |
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elementary and secondary education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide policy restricting |
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texting during school hours. For purposes of this section, "school hours" shall mean those hours |
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which encompass the period when classes are normally in session at the school and for which |
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students are to be in attendance, as well as such ancillary times that are part of the traditional |
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school day, including, but not limited to, homeroom, study hall periods, lunch and recess. |
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(b) The statewide policy shall apply to all schools that are approved and accredited by the |
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board of regents for elementary and secondary education, pursuant to of subdivision 16-60-4(10) |
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and shall contain the following: |
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(1) The definition of and statement(s) prohibiting texting, except in an emergency of |
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health and/or safety and except for educational or instructional purposes, with prior approval from |
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school administration. |
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(2) A provision that states disciplinary actions for violations of the texting policy shall be |
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determined by the school's appropriate authority; however, no student shall be suspended from |
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school solely based upon a violation of this texting policy. |
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(3) A provision stating that no cell phone shall be taken from the student for a period |
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beyond the school day of the offense. |
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(4) A provision stating that school officials cannot view the contents of a cell phone |
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unless authorized by law or unless said official has a reasonable belief that the cell phone was |
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used to violate another school policy, such as cheating or bullying and only to the extent |
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necessary to verify the existence of the specific text at issue. |
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(c) All schools that are approved and accredited pursuant to subdivision 16-60-4(10) for |
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the purpose of section 16-19-1 shall be subject to the requirements of this section. School districts |
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and schools must adopt the statewide texting policy promulgated pursuant to this subsection by |
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June 31, 2013. |
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC00643 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
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OF | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL | |
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This act would require the department of elementary and secondary education to adopt a |
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statewide policy prohibiting texting during school hours, except in certain circumstances. |
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This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC00643 | |
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