2023 -- S 0764 | |
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LC002170 | |
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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 | |
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Introduced By: Senators Cano, DiPalma, Burke, McKenney, Lawson, Murray, Euer, | |
Date Introduced: March 23, 2023 | |
Referred To: Senate Education | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
2 | hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 16-21-9.1. Universal behavioral health screenings. |
4 | (a) In furtherance of this chapter, the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary |
5 | education (RIDE) shall: |
6 | (1) Partner with providers that have knowledge and expertise regarding mental and |
7 | behavioral health screenings for children and adolescents. |
8 | (2) Provide evidence-based guidance to local education agencies (LEAs) regarding |
9 | universal screening methods and procedures for children and adolescents. |
10 | (b) By June 30, 2024, the public schools in the state shall screen all enrolled students for |
11 | behavioral health concerns. |
12 | (c) Beginning September 1, 2025, all public schools shall conduct behavioral health |
13 | screenings of students: |
14 | (1) In third grade; |
15 | (2) In eighth grade; and |
16 | (3) Who enroll from a district outside of the state, during the first academic year of that |
17 | student’s enrollment in a Rhode Island public school. |
18 | (d) Parents or guardians may opt out of the behavioral health screening procedure on behalf |
19 | of their student(s) by submitting a request in a manner and form provided by the LEA. |
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1 | (e) Records developed from the behavioral health screenings required under this chapter |
2 | shall be provided to the student, if over the age of eighteen (18), or to the student’s parents or |
3 | guardians no later than thirty (30) days after the screening is completed. |
4 | (f) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent schools or LEAs from conducting mental or |
5 | behavioral health screenings of students in addition to the screenings required by this chapter. |
6 | 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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1 | This act would require all public schools to screen all enrolled students for behavioral |
2 | health concerns by June 30, 2024. Thereafter, all public schools would be required to conduct |
3 | behavioral health screenings of students in the third grade, eighth grade, and students who enroll |
4 | from a district outside of the state. |
5 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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