2019 -- S 0694 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS [SEE TITLE 16

CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

     Introduced By: Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-38 of the General Laws entitled "Offenses Pertaining to Schools

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following section:

     16-38-14. Use of school district listservs.

     (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy governing the use of any listserv to distribute

information to the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district.

     (b) It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, educational or otherwise, to

knowingly circulate or permit to be circulated on any such listserv information:

     (1) Related to any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party or

candidate for federal, state or municipal office; or

     (2) Promoting the solicitation or receipt of political contributions, including invitations to

fundraising events, for any such party or candidate; provided, however, this section shall not

prohibit the distribution of information about a candidate public forum that is open on an equal

basis to all candidates for that office.

     (c) Any person or institution that is found guilty of a violation of this section shall be

punished by a civil fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).

     (d) For purposes of this section, "listserv" means a computer software application that

allows a sender to send one email to a list, and then transparently send it on to the addresses of all

subscribers to the list.

     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 - OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS [SEE TITLE 16

CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

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     This act would prohibit the use of a school district's listserv to distribute any political

advertisement, invitation, and/or propaganda.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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