2022 -- H 7915

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LC004880

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN

AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Noret, Kazarian, Tanzi, Batista, Donovan,
Shallcross Smith, and Alzate

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     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 112

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THE RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-

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SCHOOL TIME ACT

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     16-112-1. Short title.

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     This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Rhode Island Quality Enhancement in

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Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Act".

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     16-112-2. Purpose.

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     The purpose of this chapter is to provide funding to support comprehensive and effective

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afterschool, summer learning and workforce development programming for students in grades

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kindergarten through twelve (K-12).

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     16-112-3. Funding.

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     (a) The general assembly shall allocate no less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per

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fiscal year to invest in:

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     (1) High-quality afterschool and out-of-school ("OST") programs and instructors;

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     (2) Quality outcomes and professional development; and

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     (3) Workforce development and funding for a pipeline of high-quality youth development

 

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professionals.

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     (b) Recipients of funding may include nonprofit organizations, local governments,

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universities and local education authorities.

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     16-112-4. Department of education.

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     (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall create a

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competitive request for proposals process to allocate funding for each fiscal year.

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     (b) Only programs that adhere to the Rhode Island afterschool quality standards and

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indicators may be funded.

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     (c) Applicants shall detail funds received from all public sources for existing afterschool,

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summer learning and workforce development programs and the types of students and programs

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served by the funds.

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     (d) Priority shall be given to those programs that seek to support:

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     (1) Low-income families, youth with disabilities, youth for whom English is a second

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language, and youth and families who have challenges with access to services; and

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     (2) That offer youth a broad array of additional services, programs, counseling programs,

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art, music and recreation programs, technology education programs and character education

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programs, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic programs for

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participating youth.

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     (e) The department of education shall consult with the department of human services to

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maximize the provision of services and coordinate programs and services for youth during

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programs funded by this chapter.

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     16-112-5. Reporting.

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     The department of elementary and secondary education shall report back to the general

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assembly and the governor no later than December 31 of each year on the status and progress of

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the program authorized by this chapter.

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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 - THE RHODE ISLAND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN

AFTERSCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACT

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     This act would provide two million dollars ($2,000,000) to support comprehensive and

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effective afterschool, summer learning and workforce development programs for students in grades

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kindergarten through twelve (K-12), and requires an annual report to the general assembly and the

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governor on the status and progress of the program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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