2022 -- H 7121

========

LC003799

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION – COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Vella-Wilkinson, Shanley, C Lima, Diaz, and
Corvese

     Date Introduced: January 20, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary

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

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-59-29. Graduate student vaccine exemption.

     (a) Students enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs, who are granted medical

or religious vaccine exemptions by their sponsoring university or college, shall not be subject to

discrimination within a required place of external learning (RePEL), including but not limited to,

places of internships, residencies, rotations, fellowships, mentorships, clinical laboratories,

research laboratories, studios, theaters, culinary or hospitality venues, and practica.

     (b) If any student is enrolled in a degree program requiring their participation within a

contracted place of business identified as a RePEL, whether compensated or unpaid, that student

shall remain chiefly subject to the academic institution’s policy and protected in the status as a

student, and by providing fair opportunity to attend RePELs in compliance with the dispatching

college's or university’s immunological requirements and procedures.

     (c) Dispatching academies having financial investment with, potential conflicts of interest

with, and/or business partnerships with a company that furnishes a RePEL, are required to uphold

the college or university’s immunological procedures and exemptions any time a pupil participates

in their duties as a student within the incorporated company.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC003799

========

LC003799 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION – COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

***

     This act would prohibit discrimination in postsecondary education of students who are

granted medical or religious vaccine exemptions by a sponsoring university or college.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC003799

========

LC003799 - Page 3 of 3