2015 -- H 5698

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LC001828

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS -

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Abney, and Reilly

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-2 of the General Laws entitled "School Committees and

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Superintendents" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-2-35. The Middletown public schools sponsorship program. -- (a) The school

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committee of the town of Middletown shall be authorized to adopt by resolution the Middletown

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public schools sponsorship program (the “program”). The purpose of said program shall be to

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provide funding to aid the Middletown school district in maintaining its current extra-curricular

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program offerings by creating paid advertising and sponsorship opportunities through the

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Middletown public schools.

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     (b) Such program shall meet the following guidelines and criteria:

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     (1) Proposals for sponsorships shall be reviewed by the superintendent of schools and if

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approved by the superintendent, such approval shall be submitted to the Middletown school

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committee for final approval;

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     (2) Paid advertising and business sponsorships shall be permitted on school district

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grounds only with the prior approval of both the superintendent and the school committee of the

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town of Middletown.

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     (3) The Middletown school committee shall promulgate a policy on advertising and

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business sponsorship. Any advertising on school property, in district publications, and

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distribution or display that is paid for by a private, business, or commercial sponsor shall be

 

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consistent with the provisions of such policy. In promulgating such policy, the school district

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shall be especially cognizant of the requirements of chapter 21 of this title in regard to health and

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safety of pupils.

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      (i) Advertising and business sponsorships shall be limited to products, services, and

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issues that support and promote a positive educational atmosphere.

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     (ii) Approved advertising, signage and other promotions shall be in good taste, use good

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production quality, and shall not detract from the educational environment.

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     (c) Prohibited advertising and business sponsorships shall include, but not be limited to,

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the following:

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     (1) Anything that is illegal, obscene, profane, vulgar, prurient, defamatory, violent,

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abusive, impolite, or which contains sexual content, sexual imagery, or sexual overtones or that is

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otherwise not suitable for minors;

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     (2) Anything that is discriminatory or promotes goods or services not suitable for use or

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consumption by minors;

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     (3) Materials in support of or promoting a specific religion or religious viewpoint; and

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     (4) Materials in support of or promoting a specific political candidate or viewpoint.

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     (d) The provisions of the section shall not apply to information, promotions, or

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announcements issued by the town of Middletown and/or the state of Rhode Island.

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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 - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS -

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

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     This act would authorize the school committee in the town of Middletown to establish a

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public school sponsorship program. Under this program, the Middletown school committee

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would be able to review and approve paid advertising and business sponsorship opportunities that

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use or may be located on school district property.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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