2018 -- S 2341

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LC004413

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION

ON DISABILITIES

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Quezada, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-51-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-51 entitled

"Governor's Commission on Disabilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-51-11. Mary Brennan fellowship fund.

     (a) There is established the Mary Brennan fellowship fund ("the fellowship fund"), which

shall be utilized to create a fellowship program for college students and young adults with

disabilities.

     (b) These fellowships shall provide a semester-long, part-time placement with the

commission in Rhode Island, working on disability policy and research. Each fellow will be

assigned to a specific placement, providing assistance to the commission in disability policy.

Mentor experiences will introduce the fellows to disability policy issues and actions at the local,

state and federal levels. The fellowships will offer students an opportunity to:

     (1) Gain perspective on the role and responsibility of the commission;

     (2) Knowledge of national/state disability programs;

     (3) Policy issues and research;

     (4) Meet with decision makers, experts and critics in disability and related policy fields;

and

     (5) Develop networks with local, regional, and national based experts, and researchers

who can assist in career development and future endeavors.

     (c) The commission will provide each fellow with a stipend of at least one thousand five

hundred dollars ($1,500) and reimbursement for authorized travel.

     (d) This fellowship program is designed for individuals with demonstrated leadership and

expertise interest in policy and research affecting people with disabilities. Applicants must have:

     (1) Completed at least three (3) semesters of college-level study;

     (2) Be enrolled as a full or part-time student in an accredited college or university in

Rhode Island;

     (3) Leadership ability;

     (4) The endorsement of a current/former supervisor/teacher;

     (5) Approval on the part of the college/university to receive credit for the fellowship if

selected; and

     (6) The ability to participate in the semester-long program in Providence for at least two

hundred and forty (240) hours during the spring and fall semesters or in the summer.

     (e) The commission shall give preference in its selection of fellows to Rhode Island

residents who are:

     (1) College students Students and young adults with disabilities, and then to;

     (2) College students enrolled in a course of study in education and/or human services for

persons with disabilities.

     (f) The general assembly shall appropriate ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the fiscal

year ending June 30, 1998 and annually the sums it deems necessary to implement the purposes

of this section.

     (g) The commission is authorized and empowered to receive donations and grants from

sources including, but not limited to, the federal government, governmental and private

foundations, and corporate and individual donors; these donations and grants to be deposited in

the fellowship fund. The commission may create additional fellowships from available funds.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION

ON DISABILITIES

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     This act would remove the requirement that a student with disabilities be a college

student in order to be eligible to participate in the Mary Brennan fellowship fund program and

would also remove the requirement that the fellowship program take place in Providence.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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