Chapter 274
2021 -- H 5650 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/09/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION COMMISSION

Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Kazarian, Blazejewski, Biah, Williams, Henries, Knight, Ackerman, Ranglin-Vassell, and Ajello

Date Introduced: February 23, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.
     The general assembly finds and declares that:
     (1) In 2000, the Rhode Island general assembly passed, and the governor signed into law,
"Genocide and Human Rights Education," (Pub. L. P.L. 2000, ch. 511, § 1), requiring the Rhode
Island department of education to "develop curricular material on genocide and human rights issues
and guidelines for the teaching of that material”.
     (2) In 2011, the State state of Rhode Island passed into law "Genocide Education in
Secondary Schools" (Pub. L. P.L. 2011, ch. 45, § 1; Pub. L. P.L. 2011, ch. 70, § 1) which
emphasized a need to adhere to making genocide curriculum materials available including, but not
limited to, the Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia, and Darfur.
      (3) In 2016, the Rhode Island general assembly passed, and the governor signed into law,
Pub. L. P.L. 2016, ch. 92, § 2 and Pub. L. P.L. 2016, ch. 104, § 2, to require that the Holocaust
and genocide be taught in public middle and high schools.
     (4) Throughout the years, the general assembly has consistently passed resolutions
condemning the Holocaust and genocides. Since the passage of the legislation into law, to require
Holocaust and genocide education in its schools, the general assembly has recognized its
importance by honoring its passage with continued resolutions of its observance.
     (5) The governor, legislators, and community leaders have always made it a priority to
attend and participate in Holocaust and genocide memorials and other related events to emphasize
the continued need to recognize the horrible tragedies and atrocities committed to ancestors of
Rhode Island state community members.
     SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by
adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER 93.1
THE RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION COMMISSION [SEE
TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]
     16-93.1-1. Short title.
     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Rhode Island Holocaust and
Genocide Education Commission".
     16-93.1-2. Definitions.
     As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings
unless the context shall clearly indicate another or different meaning or intent:
     (1) "Genocide" means any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in substantial
part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group such as:
     (i) Killing members of that group;
     (ii) Causing serious bodily injury to members of that group;
     (iii) Causing permanent impairment of the mental faculties of members of the group
through drugs, torture, or similar techniques;
     (iv) Subjecting the group to conditions of life that are intended to cause the physical
destruction of the group in whole or in part;
     (v) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; or
     (vi) Forcibly transferring or attempting to transfer children of the group to another group,
as defined by the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (18 USC U.S.C. 1091).
     (2) "Holocaust" means the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and
murder of approximately six million (6,000,000) Jews and five million (5,000,000) other
individuals by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
     16-93.1-3. Holocaust and genocide education commission.
     (a) There is hereby created a permanent commission to be known as the Rhode Island
Holocaust and genocide education commission to consist of thirteen (13) members: one of whom
shall be the Rhode Island commissioner of elementary and secondary education, or designee; one
of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Superintendent's Association, or designee; one
of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, or designee; one
of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Federation of Teachers,
or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National
Education Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island
Association of School Committees, or designee; and seven (7) of whom shall be appointed by the
governor to serve a term of three (3) years, at least three (3) of whom shall be involved in Holocaust
and genocide education or have a personal connection or experience with the Holocaust or
genocide; and at least three (3) of whom shall have expertise in investigating, analyzing, or
researching the Holocaust or genocide.
     (b) When making appointments, the governor shall ensure that appointees represent diverse
communities affected by genocide.
     (c) A member of the commission may be removed by the governor for inefficiency, neglect
of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office, after being given a written statement of the charges
and an opportunity to be publicly heard on such charges by the general assembly.
     (d) Vacancies in the commission shall be filled in the manner provided under subsection
(a) of this section. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the
term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that
term. Any appointed member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration of that member's
term until the member's successor takes office.
     16-93.1-4. Meetings and by-laws bylaws.
     (a) The commission shall meet at least six (6) times during a calendar year.
     (b) At the first meeting, the commission shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and
other officers from the voting members.
     (c) The commission shall adopt by-laws bylaws governing the commission.
     16-93.1-5. Quorum.
     A quorum at the meeting shall consist of seven (7) voting members present.
     16-93.1-6. Expenses.
     Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
     16-93.1-7. Duties and responsibilities of the commission.
     The commission shall:
     (1) Gather and disseminate Holocaust and genocide information throughout this state;
     (2) Take inventory of current statewide Holocaust and genocide education programs and
initiatives, and partner with the department of elementary and secondary education to prepare a
comprehensive educational program to fill program and initiative gaps;
     (3) Plan and publicize Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Month Activities activities
to be commemorated annually in April of each year, and promote public awareness of issues
relating to the Holocaust and genocide education through public education programs;
     (4) Advise and educate the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies
regarding the nature, magnitude, and priorities of Holocaust and genocide education, and develop
policies and programs to address those needs;
     (5) Seek opportunities to provide resources for schools to effectively teach about the
Holocaust and genocide;
     (6) Apply for and accept grants and gifts from public and private sources to be administered
by the commission or subcontracted to local public or nonprofit agencies that shall use the grants
and gifts for the purpose intended;
     (7) Review and approve grants that are administered or subcontracted by the commission;
     (8)(i) Establish advisory committees for special subjects, as needed, to facilitate and
maximize community participation and subject matter expertise in the operation of the commission;
     (ii) Advisory committees shall be comprised of members representing community
organizations, charitable institutions, elementary and secondary schools, higher education
institutions, faith-based organizations, public officials, and other persons as determined by the
office;
     (9) Establish relationships with local and state governments, federal officials, nonprofit
organizations, and the private sector to promote and ensure the highest standards of Holocaust and
genocide education;
     (10) Endeavor to ensure that Holocaust and genocide survivors, liberators, educators, and
others involved in Holocaust and genocide education have access to decision-making bodies in
local, state, national, and international departments, agencies, and genocide education and
memorial organizations; and
     (11) Submit a written annual report of the commission's activities, accomplishments, and
recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of
representatives.
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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