2023 -- H 6051

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LC001900

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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 Morales, McNamara, Cruz, Sanchez, Giraldo, and
Casimiro

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

hereby amended by adding thereto the following:

     16-21-42. Standards for closure or phase-out of a public school building.

     (a) As used in this section:

     (1) “Closure of a public school” means the temporary or permanent ending, concluding,

and finishing of use of a building as a public school building within which education services are

provided, and includes the cessation of all public school related activities therein;

     (2) “Phase-out of a public school” means a gradual process designed to lead up to the

closure of a public school. “Phase-out of a public school” includes provisions for continued

education during the time of the process, as well as a transition plan for staff at the public school;

     (3) “Staff” includes teachers, department heads, administrators, maintenance personnel,

food and cafeteria personnel, athletic and team personnel, and any other individuals employed at

the public school building subject to the provisions of this section.

     (b) Within seven (7) calendar days after a determination by a public school district to

initiate either a closure of a public school building or a phase-out of a public school building within

the district, the following information shall be provided on the district website’s homepage, and via

an email and written notice sent to a responsible adult for each student attending school within the

building being phased-out and closed:

     (1) A public, detailed, quantitative and qualitative report regarding building facility

conditions, the cost to repair the building, identification of possible uses of space for the building

once it has been closed, including, but not limited to, lease, sale, demolition, and other, student

enrollment trends, existing classroom sizes, the proposed timeline of the proposed closure, and an

explanation describing the reasons for the proposed closure of the public school;

     (2) A contingency transition plan regarding enrollment and transportation options for

families and household units and students who will be impacted by the closure of the school; and

     (3) A contingency transition plan for staff who will be impacted by the closure of the

school.

     (c) Within fourteen (14) days following the release of the report and contingency plans

required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the district shall hold and host at least three (3)

meetings as follows:

     (1) A meeting with staff to share details of the proposed public school closure;

     (2) A meeting with the school’s parent-teacher association, special education local advisory

group, and any other parent or responsible adult groups which are active within the school; and

     (3) A public forum to share and discuss the closure proposal with students, families,

community members, and staff.

     (d) Following the hosting of the meetings required pursuant to subsection (c) of this

section, the district’s school board, committee, or other governing body shall make a

recommendation to either move forward with the proposed school closure or phase-out.

     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 establish certain actions a public school district must follow as part of the

phase-out or closure of a public school building.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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