It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

16-11.4-1. Legislative intent. -- The general assembly recognizes that teaching and the rendering of other professional educational services in the pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (12) of public schools in this state affect the public interest. The general assembly further recognizes the importance of governing the preparation, licensure and regulation of public school teachers and administrators through policies for teacher and administrator certification that maintain the highest professional standards and that are promulgated by the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education with full input from those practicing in the profession.

16-11.4-2. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certification -- Establishment -- Composition. -- (a) There is hereby established a policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certification to consist of nine (9) members: two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the National Education Association of Rhode Island; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the University of Rhode Island school of Education; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island College school of Education; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of school administrators; and one (1) of whom shall be the Commissioner of Higher Education, or his/her designee. The Director of the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Teacher Preparation, Certification and Professional Development shall be non-voting ex-officio to the board. The Policy Advisory Board shall advise the Commissioners of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education on the development of all policies, rules and regulations relating to the certification of teachers and administrators.

16-11.4-3. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certification - Meetings - Staff support. -- (a) The Policy Advisory Board on Teacher and Administrator Certification shall hold regular meetings not less than ten (10) per year. The board shall hold additional special meetings as it deems necessary. Special meetings may be called by the Commissioners of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or by the request for a meeting of at least four (4) members. The presence of a majority of members shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business. All meetings of the board shall be open and public, except that the board may call an executive session as provided for in chapter 46 of title 42.

(b) The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide all necessary staff and logistical support to the board to enable the board to carry out its function.

(c) The provisions of chapter 46 of title 42 shall apply to all meetings of this board.

16-11.4-4. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrative certification - General powers and duties. -- The advisory board shall:

(1) Recommend to the Commissioners of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education standards for obtaining and maintaining a certificate of qualifications;

(2) Recommend to the Commissioners of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education standards for the revocation or suspension of a certificate of qualifications and the standards for the reinstatement of a suspended or revoked certificate of qualifications;

(3) Recommend to the Commissioners of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education the adoption or revision of rules and regulations consistent with law as may be necessary to regulate teacher and administrator certification pursuant to chapter 16-11;

(4) Recommend to the Commissioners of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education standards for teacher and administrator preparation programs in this state and standards for the evaluation of teacher and administrator preparation programs in this state.

16-11.4-5. Conformance with the Administrative Procedures Act. - Pursuant to Rhode Island general law, section 16-60-10, the Board of Regents of Elementary and Secondary Education shall conform to the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act in implementing this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.