Chapter 061
2021 -- H 5830
Enacted 06/25/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

Introduced By: Representative Patricia A. Serpa

Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-38 of the General Laws entitled "Offenses Pertaining to Schools
[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding
thereto the following section:
     16-38-14. Use of school district listservs.
     (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy governing the use of any listserv to distribute
information to the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district.
     (b) It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, educational or otherwise, to knowingly
circulate, or permit to be circulated, on any such listserv information:
     (1) Related to any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party or candidate
for federal, state, or municipal office; or
     (2) Promoting the solicitation or receipt of political contributions, including invitations to
fundraising events, for any such political party or candidate; provided, however, this section shall
not prohibit the distribution of information about a candidate public forum that is open on an equal
basis to all candidates for that office.
     (c) Any person or institution that is found guilty of a violation of this section shall be
punished by a civil fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).
     (d) For purposes of this section, "listserv" means a computer software application that
allows a sender to send one email to a list, and then transparently send it on to the addresses of all
subscribers to the list.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC001403
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