2022 -- H 6666

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LC003487

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Ajello, Fogarty, Alzate, Barros, Biah,
and Henries

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 16-21.6 of the General Laws entitled "Internet Filtering

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in Schools" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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CHAPTER 16-21.6

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Internet Filtering in Schools

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CHAPTER 16-21.6

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STUDENT ACCESS TO INTERNET

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-21.6 of the General Laws entitled "Internet Filtering in Schools"

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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21.6-2 Access to high-speed Internet.

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     (a) Every school district shall ensure that all students in grades Kindergarten through

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twelve (K-12), enrolled in Rhode Island public elementary and secondary schools, have access to

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high-speed Internet. Upon request of the student’s parent and/or legal guardian, the school district

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shall furnish the student with high-speed Internet.

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     (b) There is hereby established an Internet reimbursement fund for which the general

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assembly shall make a specific appropriation. The department of elementary and secondary

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education shall administer the appropriation. School districts shall submit to the department of

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elementary and secondary education evidence of the costs to furnish high-speed Internet to students

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in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. The costs shall be reimbursed from the Internet

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reimbursement fund by the department of elementary and secondary education upon presentation

 

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by a school district of the evidence of these costs.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

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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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     This act would require all school districts to provide students enrolled in grades

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Kindergarten through twelve (K-12) access to high-speed Internet.

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     This act would take effect on July 1, 2022.

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