| Chapter 427 |
| 2016 -- H 7583 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 07/12/2016 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS |
| Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Amore, O'Brien, McKiernan, and Carnevale |
| Date Introduced: February 11, 2016 |
| 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: |
| CHAPTER 21.6 |
| INTERNET FILTERING IN SCHOOLS |
| 16-21.6-1. Internet filtering. -- (a) "Internet-filtering measures" means the use of a |
| specific technology or program to block or filter access to websites on the internet. |
| (b) Each school district shall adopt the model, written policy developed by the |
| department of education, pursuant to subsection (e), addressing the use of internet filtering |
| measures for computer access in its schools. Any such policy shall: |
| (1) Include the specific categories of websites that are blocked by the internet filtering |
| measures in use; the basis for including those categories; and the individuals who are responsible |
| for making those decisions; |
| (2) Establish a procedure for teachers to request that a blocked website be unblocked in a |
| timely manner; and |
| (3) Specify the criteria used for overruling a request to allow access to a website that is |
| blocked by the internet-filtering measures, and require that the teacher making such a request be |
| provided particular reasons any time a request is denied. |
| (c) Each school district shall maintain a public record of any requests to allow access to a |
| website that is blocked by the internet-filtering measures and the response provided, and submit |
| an annual report to the school committee on the number of requests granted and denied to |
| unblock a website. |
| (d) Each school district shall annually review the requests made in the preceding year, |
| pursuant to subsection (b)(2), for unblocking websites in order to determine whether the |
| categories and standards contained in the policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b)(1) shall be |
| revised. |
| (e) The Rhode Island department of education shall develop a written, model internet- |
| filtering policy for use by school districts, state schools, charter schools, and mayoral academies. |
| The model plan shall include, but not be limited to, the provisions contained in subsections (b)(1), |
| (b)(2), and (b)(3), and to the extent consistent with federal law, promote academic freedom in the |
| classroom, and shall be communicated to all school districts in the state for their use and posted |
| on the department website. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC004063/SUB A |
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