2022 -- H 7915

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LC004880

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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 RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN

AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Noret, Kazarian, Tanzi, Batista, Donovan,
Shallcross Smith, and Alzate

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 112

THE RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-

SCHOOL TIME ACT

     16-112-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Rhode Island Quality Enhancement in

Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Act".

     16-112-2. Purpose.

     The purpose of this chapter is to provide funding to support comprehensive and effective

afterschool, summer learning and workforce development programming for students in grades

kindergarten through twelve (K-12).

     16-112-3. Funding.

     (a) The general assembly shall allocate no less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per

fiscal year to invest in:

     (1) High-quality afterschool and out-of-school ("OST") programs and instructors;

     (2) Quality outcomes and professional development; and

     (3) Workforce development and funding for a pipeline of high-quality youth development

professionals.

     (b) Recipients of funding may include nonprofit organizations, local governments,

universities and local education authorities.

     16-112-4. Department of education.

     (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall create a

competitive request for proposals process to allocate funding for each fiscal year.

     (b) Only programs that adhere to the Rhode Island afterschool quality standards and

indicators may be funded.

     (c) Applicants shall detail funds received from all public sources for existing afterschool,

summer learning and workforce development programs and the types of students and programs

served by the funds.

     (d) Priority shall be given to those programs that seek to support:

     (1) Low-income families, youth with disabilities, youth for whom English is a second

language, and youth and families who have challenges with access to services; and

     (2) That offer youth a broad array of additional services, programs, counseling programs,

art, music and recreation programs, technology education programs and character education

programs, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic programs for

participating youth.

     (e) The department of education shall consult with the department of human services to

maximize the provision of services and coordinate programs and services for youth during

programs funded by this chapter.

     16-112-5. Reporting.

     The department of elementary and secondary education shall report back to the general

assembly and the governor no later than December 31 of each year on the status and progress of

the program authorized by this chapter.

     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 - THE RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN

AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACT

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     This act would provide two million dollars ($2,000,000) to support comprehensive and

effective afterschool, summer learning and workforce development programs for students in grades

kindergarten through twelve (K-12), and requires an annual report to the general assembly and the

governor on the status and progress of the program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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