2014 -- H 7564

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LC004612

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ADULT EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Almeida, Williams, and Cimini

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-63 of the General Laws entitled "Adult Education" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     16-63-13.1. Legislative findings. – The general assembly finds: (1) That close to eighty-

four thousand (84,000) working age Rhode Islanders do not have a high school diploma or

equivalent;

     (2) That increasing the number of Rhode Islanders who have a high school diploma or

equivalent is vital to the state's economic competitiveness;

     (3) That workers who have a high school diploma or equivalent earn almost seventy

percent (70%) more than those who do not have this credential; and

     (4) That the cost of taking the high school equivalency test rose by over one hundred

percent (100%) from 2013 to 2014 and the state wishes to remove any financial barrier to taking

the test.

     16-63-13.2. High school equivalency test - Waiver of fees. – (a) The Rhode Island

department of education shall adopt a rule or regulation granting a waiver of fees associated with

the high school equivalency test for individuals with limited income; provided, however, that to

be eligible for a fee waiver, an individual must have received at least a minimum passing score on

the high school equivalency practice test, or section of the test. The department shall publish the

proposed rule for public comment prior to adopting a final version of the rule.

     (b) There is hereby appropriated the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) on

a yearly basis commencing July 1, 2014 and every July thereafter to cover administrative

expenses associated with the implementation of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ADULT EDUCATION

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     This act would authorize the department of education to waive any fees associated with

the high school equivalency test for individuals with limited income and appropriates the sum of

two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) each year commencing July 1, 2014 to cover

administrative costs associated with this program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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