2016 -- H 7864

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LC005263

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING EDUCATION -- BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, McNamara, Bennett, Ackerman, and

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Board of Governors for Higher

Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-59-29. Services for students with disabilities and who were in foster placement. --

(a) The council on postsecondary education shall require that all public colleges, as defined in

§16-59-13, establish and maintain an office that assists students with disabilities in aspects of

academic, social, living, and career-planning in the postsecondary education setting.

     (b) The offices established shall consider the needs of all persons with disabilities and

shall adopt reasonable accommodations and practices necessary to achieve equal participation

and success in educational opportunities by all students.

     (c) The offices shall provide services to students consistent with the provisions of Section

504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §794), and Title II of the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.)

     (d) Students who are residents of this state and who are or at any time were in foster care

in this state shall also be eligible to access the services of these offices. The offices shall make

efforts to reach out to students who might qualify for their services but shall not require or

compel any student to self-identify as a student requiring assistance, accommodations, or as

having been in foster care.

     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 EDUCATION -- BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

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     This act would require all public colleges, as defined in §16-59-13, to establish and

maintain an office that assists students with disabilities in aspects of academic, social, living, and

career-planning in the postsecondary education setting. The act also requires that Rhode Island

residents who are or were in foster care would be able to access the services of these offices.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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