2018 -- S 2341

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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:

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

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

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     42-51-11. Mary Brennan fellowship fund.

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

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

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disabilities.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     (2) Knowledge of national/state disability programs;

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     (3) Policy issues and research;

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

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and

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

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who can assist in career development and future endeavors.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rhode Island;

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     (3) Leadership ability;

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

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

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selected; and

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

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

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

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residents who are:

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

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

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persons with disabilities.

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

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

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of this section.

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

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

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

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

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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 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

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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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