2023 -- H 5279

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LC000504

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Perez, J. Lombardi, Lima, Hull, Fellela, Vella-
Wilkinson, and Noret

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary

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

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-59-29. Graduate student, faculty, and staff vaccine exemption.

     (a) Students enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs, who are granted medical

or religious vaccine exemptions by their sponsoring university or college, as well as faculty and

staff who work in such programs, shall not be subject to discrimination within a required place of

external learning (RePEL), including, but not limited to, places of internships, residencies,

rotations, fellowships, mentorships, clinical laboratories, research laboratories, studios, theaters,

culinary or hospitality venues, and practica.

     (b) If any student, faculty member, or other staff is enrolled or working in a degree program

requiring their participation within a contracted place of business identified as a RePEL, whether

compensated or unpaid, that person shall remain chiefly subject to the academic institution’s policy

and protected in the status as a student, faculty member, or other staff, and by providing fair

opportunity to attend RePELs in compliance with the dispatching college's or university’s

immunological requirements and procedures.

     (c) Dispatching academies having financial investment with, potential conflicts of interest

with, and/or business partnerships with a company that furnishes a RePEL, are required to uphold

the college or university’s immunological procedures and exemptions any time a pupil, faculty

member, or other staff, participates in their duties as a student, faculty member, or other staff, within

the incorporated company.

     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 -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

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     This act would prohibit discrimination in postsecondary education of students who are

enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs, along with faculty members and other staff

in those programs, who are granted medical or religious vaccine exemptions by a sponsoring

university or college.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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