2018 -- H 7497

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LC004270

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Serpa, Fellela, Edwards, and Lancia

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-21-20 and 16-21-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21

entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-21-20. Alternative placement and prevention activities.

     The department of elementary and secondary education (a) The council on elementary

and secondary education in conjunction with a representative from the attorney general's task

force to prevent violence in schools office and the Rhode Island teachers' advisory council shall

develop requirements regulations for the alternative placement of programs for students

suspended under the provision of § 16-21-18, students serving in-school suspensions, and

disruptive students as defined in § 16-2-17(a). The placements programs shall be cooperative

efforts between the local school district, which shall be responsible for instruction of students,

and other appropriate state and local agencies. Further, the department of elementary and

secondary education in conjunction with a representative from the attorney general's task force

office and the Rhode Island teachers' advisory council shall establish policies in support of locally

developed prevention and education activities that include broad parent, teacher, and community

involvement.

     (b) The programs offered to students who have been suspended, placed in an in-school

suspension program, or students otherwise removed from a regular classroom setting shall

include academic instruction and shall address the social and emotional well-being of the student.

     (c) All public school districts and charter schools shall employ sufficient school guidance

counselors, social workers, and other education specialists who can provide support to students

assigned to alternative programs.

     16-21-27. Alternative education programs.

     Each school district shall adopt a plan to ensure continued education of students who are

removed from the classroom because of a suspension of more than ten (10) days or, students in

alternative placement programs pursuant to § 16-21-20, and students who are chronically truant.

The plan shall be adopted by the school committee and shall be submitted to Rhode Island

department of elementary and secondary education as part of its annual strategic plan submission.

     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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     The act would amend the law on the student suspension, by requiring the council on

elementary and secondary education along with the Rhode Island teachers' advisory council and a

representative from the attorney general's office to work cooperatively to create regulations and

programs for students who have been suspended, or otherwise removed from a regular classroom

setting. It would require the programs to include academic instruction and address the social and

emotional well-being of the student. The act would also require public school districts and charter

schools to employ sufficient social workers and other educational specialists to provide support to

students assigned to the alternative programs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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