2021 -- H 5830

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LC001403

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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 -- 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

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-38 of the General Laws entitled "Offenses Pertaining to Schools

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[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

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thereto the following section:

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     16-38-14. Use of school district listservs.

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     (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy governing the use of any listserv to distribute

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information to the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district.

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     (b) It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, educational or otherwise, to knowingly

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circulate or permit to be circulated on any such listserv information:

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     (1) Related to any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party or candidate

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for federal, state or municipal office; or

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     (2) Promoting the solicitation or receipt of political contributions, including invitations to

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fundraising events, for any such party or candidate; provided, however, this section shall not

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prohibit the distribution of information about a candidate public forum that is open on an equal

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basis to all candidates for that office.

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     (c) Any person or institution that is found guilty of a violation of this section shall be

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punished by a civil fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).

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     (d) For purposes of this section, "listserv" means a computer software application that

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allows a sender to send one email to a list, and then transparently send it on to the addresses of all

 

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subscribers to the list.

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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 -- OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS [SEE TITLE 16

CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

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     This act would prohibit the use of a school district's listserv to distribute any political

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advertisement, invitation, and/or propaganda.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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