2022 -- H 6677

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LC003604

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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 -- THE COLLEGE CRUSADE SCHOLARSHIP

     Introduced By: Representatives Tobon, Baginski, Giraldo, Edwards, and Amore

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-70-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-70 entitled "The College

Crusade Scholarship [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-70-4. Council on postsecondary education support program -- Powers and duties.

     The council on postsecondary education shall have the following powers and duties:

     (1) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education and to

present annually to the state budget officer in accordance with § 35-3-4, as part of the state higher

education budget, a line-item budget request specifically designated as the state's share of support

for the college crusade of Rhode Island. The budget shall be designated as a specific, line-item

budget request and shall be presented as part of the budget of the postsecondary commissioner.

     (2) To provide, through its office of the postsecondary commissioner, the authority to

designate the college crusade of Rhode Island, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered with

the Rhode Island secretary of state, as the entity that will administer and operate all program

services and manage scholarship resources associated with the U.S. Department of Education Gear

Up Program.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-70 of the General Laws entitled "The College Crusade

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

amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     16-70-7. Administration of college crusade scholarship program.

     Scholarships that college crusade program participants receive directly from the college

crusade of Rhode Island scholarship program, are not considered federal or financial aid pursuant

to the Rhode Island promise scholarship, chapter 107 of title 16.

     16-70-8. Access to student information systems.

     To ensure that program participants in the college crusade of Rhode Island receive the best

possible services and support, local education agencies (LEAs) whose students participate in the

college crusade of Rhode Island, shall provide the organization with individual-level access to

student information systems and other data related to established college readiness metrics,

including, but not limited to: attendance, course schedule demographics, discipline, grades, and test

results.

     SECTION 3. 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 -- THE COLLEGE CRUSADE SCHOLARSHIP

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     This act would provide that scholarships received directly from the College Crusade

Scholarship Program would not be considered financial aid pursuant to the Rhode Island Promise

Scholarships, and provides the program with access to certain student data.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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