2023 -- S 0551

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LC001743

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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 -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE CHANGE AND OCEAN

PROTECTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Lauria, DiMario, Cano, Euer, Murray, Valverde, Britto,
Gu, and Zurier

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 112

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THE RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE CHANGE AND OCEAN PROTECTION WORKFORCE

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DEVELOPMENT ACT

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     16-112-1. Definitions.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Apprenticeship" means a proven model of job preparation that combines paid on-the-

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job learning with related instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. It is

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an employer-driven model that provides an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain

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highly skilled workers. As an “earn and learn” strategy, apprenticeship offers job seekers immediate

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employment that offers advancement along a career path and a nationally recognized credential.

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     (2) "Blue economy" means an economy built on the sustainable use of ocean resources for

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economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean

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ecosystem.

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     (3) "Climate change education" means nonformal and formal interdisciplinary learning at

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all age levels about:

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     (i) Climate change, climate adaptation and mitigation, climate resilience, and climate

 

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justice; and

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     (ii) The effects of climate change, climate adaptation and mitigation, climate resilience,

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and climate justice on the environmental, energy, social, and economic systems of the United

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States.

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     (4) "Climate literacy" means competence or knowledge of climate change, its causes and

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impacts, and the technical, scientific, economic, and social dynamics of promising solutions.

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     (5) "Climate justice" means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people,

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regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with respect to the development,

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implementation, and enforcement of policies and projects to ensure that each person enjoys the

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same degree of protection from the adverse effects of climate change.

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     (6) "Environmental justice" means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all

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people, regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with respect to the

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development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies to

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ensure that each person enjoys:

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     (i) The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards; and

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     (ii) Equal access to any federal agency action on environmental justice issues in order to

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have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, work, and recreate.

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     (7) "Environmental justice community" means a community with significant representation

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of communities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal and indigenous communities that

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experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental

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effects as compared to other communities.

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     (8) "Green economy" means an economy that results in improved human and economic

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well-being and social equity by significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological

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scarcities.

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     (9) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the

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Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

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     (10) "Local educational agency; State educational agency" have the meanings given those

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terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

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     (11) "Nonformal" means, with respect to learning, out-of-school educational programming

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carried out by nonprofit organizations and public agencies.

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     (12) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the

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Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code.

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     (13) "Ocean literacy" means competence or knowledge of the ocean, its interaction with

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humans, and the technical, scientific, economic, and social dynamics of ocean protection.

 

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     (14) "Ocean protection education" means nonformal and formal interdisciplinary learning

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at all age levels about:

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     (i) Ocean life, human interactions with the ocean, the ocean’s physical geography, and

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ocean-related environmental issues; and

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     (ii) The effects of ocean-related environmental issues on the environmental, energy, social,

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and economic systems of the United States.

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     (15) "Union" means an organization of workers who are employed by the same employer

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and who use their collective power to enhance the standard of living for all workers and their

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families.

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     16-112-2. Funding.

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     There shall be an annual appropriation of no less than five hundred thousand dollars

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($500,000) per fiscal year to invest in:

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     (1) Increasing and enhancing climate and ocean literacy of the Rhode Island workforce by

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broadening the understanding of climate change and ocean protection, including possible long-term

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and short-term consequences, disproportionate impacts of those consequences, and potential

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solutions;

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     (2) Applying the latest scientific and technological discoveries to provide formal and

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nonformal learning opportunities to individuals of all ages, including individuals of diverse cultural

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and linguistic backgrounds; and

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     (3) Emphasizing actionable information and transferrable skills to help people understand

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and promote implementation of new technologies, programs, and incentives related to climate

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change, climate adaptation and mitigation, climate resilience, climate justice, environmental

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justice, and ocean protection.

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     16-112-3. Grant program.

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     (a) The department of labor and training shall disburse these funds to eligible recipients.

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     (b) Eligible recipients shall include:

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     (1) State and local educational agencies, in collaboration with local businesses and local

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nonprofit organizations, for the implementation of climate and ocean literacy plans for formal and

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nonformal climate change and ocean protection education for people ages sixteen (16) years and

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up that:

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     (i) Are aligned with state education standards;

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     (ii) Ensure that students graduate from high school with climate and ocean literacy;

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     (iii) Include relevant teacher training and professional development; and

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     (iv) Include at least one of the following:

 

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     (A) Integration of key climate change and ocean protection concepts into state education

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standards for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), civics and social studies,

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and other relevant subject areas during the next revision of such standards.

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     (B) Development of climate change and ocean protection education frameworks and model

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curricula and curation and dissemination of existing climate change and ocean protection

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curriculum materials.

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     (C) Creation of applied learning project-based models, such as models making optimum

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use of green features improvements to school facilities, such as energy systems, lighting systems,

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water management, waste management, and school grounds improvements.

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     (D) Incorporation of climate change mitigation and blue and green technologies into new

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and existing career and technical education career tracks and work-based learning experiences,

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including development of partnerships with labor organizations, trade organizations, and

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apprenticeship programs.

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     (2) Institutions of higher education and networks or partnerships of such institutions to

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engage teams of faculty and students to develop applied climate research and deliver to local

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community's direct services related to local climate mitigation and adaptation and ocean protection

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issues, with priority given to projects that:

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     (i) Foster long-term campus-community partnerships;

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     (ii) Show potential to scale work beyond the grant term;

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     (iii) Incorporate faculty training and professional development;

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     (iv) Are inclusive for all segments of the population; and

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     (v) Promote equitable and just outcomes.

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     (3) Professional associations and academic disciplinary societies for projects that build

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capacity at the state and national levels for continuing education by practicing professionals and

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the general public in blue and green economy fields.

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     (4) Youth development and nonprofit organization programs that engage in community-

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based climate mitigation and adaptation and ocean protection work that includes a substantive

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educational and apprenticeship component.

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     (c)(1) The department of labor and training shall administer the grant program required by

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subsection (a) of this section.

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     (2) The department of labor shall annually consult with other relevant agencies of state and

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municipal government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, labor unions, and community-based

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organizations to determine ways in which grant making under subsection (b) of this section can

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enhance and support other climate change and ocean protection education, workforce development

 

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and training, and environmental justice goals.

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     (3) The department of labor and training shall direct at least forty percent (40%) of all funds

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appropriated for grants under subsections (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this section to environmental

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justice communities.

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     (4) The commission on post-secondary education shall establish communities of practice

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with respect to each of subsections (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section in order to accelerate

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learning.

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     16-112-4. Reporting.

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     The department of labor and training shall report annually to the general assembly and the

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

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authorized by this chapter.

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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 -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE CHANGE AND OCEAN

PROTECTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACT

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     This act would appropriate five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) per fiscal year to

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invest in a climate change and ocean protection workforce development grant program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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