2023 -- H 5775

========

LC001952

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Rea, Chippendale, and Nardone

     Date Introduced: February 22, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-77 of the General Laws entitled "Establishment of Charter Public

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

by adding thereto the following section:

     16-77-13. Local communities permitted to adopt all-charter public school model for

public education.

     (a) Each city and town of this state may adopt, as an alternative to traditional public schools,

an all-charter public school model, to provide public education. This process may utilize the

establishment of all new charter public schools, a conversion of traditional public schools to charter

public schools, or a combination thereof. A municipality seeking to convert to an all-charter public

school model shall submit a plan detailing the provision of education under the plan (the “plan”),

as well as how the municipality shall transition into the plan.

     (b) The plan referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be presented to both the

municipality’s council, board, or other governing body, and to the school committee or board of

the municipality. If both the governing body and the school committee of the municipality vote in

favor of the plan, the plan shall be presented and submitted to the voters of the municipality as a

referendum at either a special or general election. Upon an affirmative vote of those voting in the

election in favor of and approving the plan, the plan shall be deemed approved. In such event, the

municipality may undertake such measures as set forth in the plan and as are otherwise necessary

to implement the all-charter public school model within the municipality.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001952

========

LC001952 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

***

     This act would permit local communities to adopt an all-charter school public school model

for public education. This act would provide that adoption of this model would require an

affirmative vote of the local municipality’s council and school committee, followed by an

affirmative vote on a referendum on the adoption, at a special or general election in the

municipality.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001952

========

LC001952 - Page 3 of 3