2014 -- H 7828

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LC004592

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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Walsh, Amore, Serpa, and Messier

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 21.6

INTERNET FILTERING IN SCHOOLS

     16-21.6-1. Internet filtering. -- (a) "Internet filtering measures" means the use of a

specific technology or program to block or filter access to websites on the Internet.

     (b) Each school district shall adopt a written policy addressing the use of Internet filtering

measures for computer access in its schools. Any such policy shall:

     (1) Include the specific categories of websites that are blocked by the Internet filtering

measures in use; the basis for including those categories; and the individuals who are responsible

for making those decisions;

     (2) Establish a procedure for teachers to request that a blocked website be unblocked in a

timely manner; and

     (3) Specify the criteria used for overruling a request to allow access to a website that is

blocked by the Internet filtering measures, and require that the teacher making such a request be

provided particular reasons any time a request is denied.

     (c) Each school district shall maintain a public record of any requests to allow access to a

website that is blocked by the Internet filtering measures, and the response provided, and submit

an annual report to the school committee on the number of requests granted and denied to

unblock a website.

     (d) Each school district shall annually review the requests made in the preceding year

pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section for unblocking of sites in order to determine whether

the categories and standards contained in the policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b)( 1) of this

section should be revised.

     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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would allow schools to employ filtering measures to block or filter access to

websites on the Internet. It would also mandate each school district to adopt a written policy that

addresses the use of Internet filtering measures for computer access in schools.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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