2016 -- S 2731

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LC004447

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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 TO EDUCATION -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Algiere, and Gee

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Education

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-100 of the General Laws entitled "Dual Enrollment Equal

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Opportunity Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-100-6. Funding and responsibility for costs. -- (a) As to all students participating in

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a dual enrollment program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, all costs associated with a

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student attending a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university,

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shall be the sole responsibility of the student, the parent, or the guardian of such student, except

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as provided otherwise in subsections (b) and (d) of this section. Such costs shall include, but are

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not limited to, tuition, school and class fees, books, and transportation. Such costs shall not

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include any costs relating to the student's enrollment and attendance in a secondary school

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operated by the school district.

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     (b) All school districts shall provide assistance to students eligible for free or reduced

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lunch in identifying funding resources for participation in a dual enrollment program.

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     (c) School districts shall not be responsible to provide any accommodations for students

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at any institution of higher learning; provided, this section shall not limit in any way a school

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district's obligation to provide accommodations or services which are otherwise required to be

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provided to any student in any secondary school operated by the school district, including, but not

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limited to, special education services and section 504 plans pursuant to 29 U.S.C. ยง794 as

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amended.

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     (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a school district may

 

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elect to provide any services or pay any costs of students participating in a dual enrollment

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program. Further, this section shall not prohibit the state from providing funding for any services

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or costs of attendance or participation in a dual enrollment program.

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     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 -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     This act would provide that school districts would not be responsible to pay the costs

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associated with a student's attendance at a post-secondary institution pursuant to a dual

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enrollment program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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