2017 -- H 6237

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LC002548

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

(RIDE) TO STUDY THE IMPACT, OUTCOME, AND NEEDS OF YOUTHS WITH ONE OR

BOTH PARENTS INCARCERATED

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Hull, Donovan, Amore, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: May 19, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     WHEREAS, The National Survey of Children’s Health has concluded that more than 5

million children -- or one in 14 children living in the United States -- have at one time or another

experienced parental incarceration. Currently, approximately 2.7 million children are living and

dealing with the issues resulting from the incarceration of one or both of their parents, and one-

third of them will reach age 18 while a parent is behind bars; and

     WHEREAS, The collateral effect on these children is oftentimes feelings of

abandonment, loneliness, and shame, which for some children, can lead them down the same

destructive path to incarceration as their parents; and

     WHEREAS, Studies have also indicated that parental incarceration has a negative effect

on a child's academic performance and outcome; and

     WHEREAS, According to a 2013 report from the American Bar Association and the

White House, only 1 percent to 2 percent of students with incarcerated mothers and 13 percent to

25 percent of students with imprisoned fathers graduate from college; and

     WHEREAS, Proper assessment, and apposite educational programs and intervention, can

play an important role and provide positive outcomes in the promotion of healthy child

development and the prevention of recidivism and delinquency; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Department of Education to

study the impact, outcome, and needs of youths with one or both parents incarcerated; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby requests that a report be provided to the Speaker of

the House and the House Committee on Health, Education & Welfare on or before January 3,

2019: and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ken Wagner, Ph.D., Rhode Island

Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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LC002548

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