2015 -- S 0460 SUBSTITUTE A

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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Senators Satchell, Metts, Picard, Pichardo, and Conley

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Education

     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 websites 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.

     (e) The Rhode Island department of education shall develop a model Internet filtering

policy for the guidance of school districts, state schools, charter schools, and mayoral academies.

This model plan shall, to the extent consistent with federal law, promote academic freedom in the

classroom, and shall be communicated to all school districts in the state and posted on the

department website.

     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 mandate each school district to adopt a written policy that addresses the

use of Internet filtering measures for computer access in schools. The Rhode Island department of

education would be required to develop and post a model for school districts, state schools,

charter schools, and mayor academies consistent with federal law on the department's website.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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