13-R197

2013 -- H 5649 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 04/10/13

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY ALL EDUCATION

HEARINGS AT THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND

SECONDARY EDUCATION

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives MacBeth, McLaughlin, McNamara, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2013

 

     

 

     RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of twelve (12) members: six (6) members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives from among the members of the House of Representatives, not more

than five (5) of whom shall be from the same political party; one of whom shall be a State

certified special education teacher, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom

shall be a State certified administrator of special education, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be a parent of a student who is receiving special education services, to

be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the

Rhode Island Association of School Committees, or designee; one of whom shall be the President

of the Rhode Island Superintendents Association, or designee; and one of whom shall be the

President of the Rhode Island Principals Association, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of the commission shall be to study all education hearings at the Rhode

Island department of elementary and secondary education, including commissioner hearings and

special education due process hearings, and to make recommendations on improving these

systems. More specifically, the focus of the commission shall be to insure that the hearing process

balances the rights and needs of the individuals involved, especially students with disabilities,

while also maintaining educational and academic integrity, discipline, and authority.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select from among the legislators a

chairperson and vice-chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as

the original appointment.

     The membership of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments, boards, commissions, and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice

and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed

necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this section.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Speaker of the House on or before January 23, 2014, and the commission shall expire on March

25, 2014.

     

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LC01404/SUB A

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