2021 -- H 5703

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LC001516

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Nardone, Quattrocchi, Chippendale, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 7.3

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EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS PROGRAM

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     16-7.3-1. Education savings accounts program established.

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     (a) Upon request to the Rhode Island department of education of any parent, guardian or

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caretaker of a student enrolled in any school district in the state, the school district shall establish,

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in any form as such school district deems appropriate, an education savings account program. The

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purpose of the program shall be to assist and support the parents, guardians and caretakers of each

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student in the school district with the materials, tutors, technology and other educational support

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for any student learning at home or at any other remote-learning site.

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     (b) Each education savings account shall be maintained in a restricted receipt savings

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account and shall be managed by the parent(s), guardian(s), or caretaker(s) of the student.

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     (c) The Rhode Island department of education shall determine the available per pupil cost

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of the school district to the existing students of the school district. Said per pupil cost shall be set

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aside by the school district in the restricted receipt savings account established for each student of

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the school district entitled to an education savings account.

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     (d) The parent(s), guardian(s), or caretaker(s) of each student for whom an education

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savings account is established may contribute additional monies to such account.

 

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     (e) For state income tax purposes, the amount contributed and the annual earnings

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therefrom contributed to an education savings account by a parent, guardian or caretaker shall be

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exempt from the state income tax and shall not be includible in the Rhode Island personal income

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tax of the parent, guardian or caretaker making the contribution to the education savings account.

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     (f) The parent(s), guardian(s), or caretaker(s) of any student with an education savings

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account shall be entitled to utilize, at their sole discretion, any funds in the education savings

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account established for the student for tutoring, technology, supplies and any other learning support

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measures or materials.

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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

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     This act would establish an education savings account program to assist and support the

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parents, guardians and caretakers of students in any school district of the state with the materials,

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tutors, technology and other educational support for any student learning at home or at any other

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remote-learning site.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001516

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