2015 -- H 5698

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LC001828

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS -

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Abney, and Reilly

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-2 of the General Laws entitled "School Committees and

Superintendents" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-2-35. The Middletown public schools sponsorship program. -- (a) The school

committee of the town of Middletown shall be authorized to adopt by resolution the Middletown

public schools sponsorship program (the “program”). The purpose of said program shall be to

provide funding to aid the Middletown school district in maintaining its current extra-curricular

program offerings by creating paid advertising and sponsorship opportunities through the

Middletown public schools.

     (b) Such program shall meet the following guidelines and criteria:

     (1) Proposals for sponsorships shall be reviewed by the superintendent of schools and if

approved by the superintendent, such approval shall be submitted to the Middletown school

committee for final approval;

     (2) Paid advertising and business sponsorships shall be permitted on school district

grounds only with the prior approval of both the superintendent and the school committee of the

town of Middletown.

     (3) The Middletown school committee shall promulgate a policy on advertising and

business sponsorship. Any advertising on school property, in district publications, and

distribution or display that is paid for by a private, business, or commercial sponsor shall be

consistent with the provisions of such policy. In promulgating such policy, the school district

shall be especially cognizant of the requirements of chapter 21 of this title in regard to health and

safety of pupils.

      (i) Advertising and business sponsorships shall be limited to products, services, and

issues that support and promote a positive educational atmosphere.

     (ii) Approved advertising, signage and other promotions shall be in good taste, use good

production quality, and shall not detract from the educational environment.

     (c) Prohibited advertising and business sponsorships shall include, but not be limited to,

the following:

     (1) Anything that is illegal, obscene, profane, vulgar, prurient, defamatory, violent,

abusive, impolite, or which contains sexual content, sexual imagery, or sexual overtones or that is

otherwise not suitable for minors;

     (2) Anything that is discriminatory or promotes goods or services not suitable for use or

consumption by minors;

     (3) Materials in support of or promoting a specific religion or religious viewpoint; and

     (4) Materials in support of or promoting a specific political candidate or viewpoint.

     (d) The provisions of the section shall not apply to information, promotions, or

announcements issued by the town of Middletown and/or the state of Rhode Island.

     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 - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS -

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

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     This act would authorize the school committee in the town of Middletown to establish a

public school sponsorship program. Under this program, the Middletown school committee

would be able to review and approve paid advertising and business sponsorship opportunities that

use or may be located on school district property.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001828

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