2023 -- H 5878

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LC002145

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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Fenton-Fung, Cardillo, Place, and P. Morgan

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-42. Analysis for mandates affecting children.

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     (a) The department of health, in conjunction with the department of education, shall

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conduct a cost-benefit analysis before a mandate relating to the health and safety of children in

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school is issued. Factors that shall be considered in the analysis include, but are not limited to, the

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following:

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     (1) A child’s linguistic development throughout primary school;

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     (2) A child’s cognitive development throughout primary school;

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     (3) Educational impacts of learning with the implementation of said mandate;

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     (4) Social, emotional, and physical impacts of the implementation of said mandate; and

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     (5) Any and all evidence that said mandate directly helps children.

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     (b) The department of health, in conjunction with the department of education, shall publish

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the contents of the cost-benefit analysis conducted in accordance with this section on their website.

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     (c) This section shall apply to any previously issued mandates that are related to the health

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and safety of children in school, including, but not limited to, the mandate forcing children in school

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to wear face masks during school days.

 

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     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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would require the department of health, in conjunction with the department of

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education, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before a mandate relating to the health and safety of

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children in schools would be issued. This act would also apply to any previous mandates issued,

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including, but not limited to, the mandate forcing children to wear masks.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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