| Chapter 146 |
| 2018 -- H 7402 Enacted 07/02/2018 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES |
| Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Diaz, Casimiro, Canario, and Azzinaro |
| Date Introduced: February 01, 2018 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 42-51-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-51 entitled |
| "Governor's Commission on Disabilities" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 42-51-11. Mary Brennan fellowship fund. |
| (a) There is established the Mary Brennan fellowship fund ("the fellowship fund"), which |
| shall be utilized to create a fellowship program for college students and young adults with |
| disabilities. |
| (b) These fellowships shall provide a semester-long, part-time placement with the |
| commission in Rhode Island, working on disability policy and research. Each fellow will be |
| assigned to a specific placement, providing assistance to the commission in disability policy. |
| Mentor experiences will introduce the fellows to disability policy issues and actions at the local, |
| state and federal levels. The fellowships will offer students an opportunity to: |
| (1) Gain perspective on the role and responsibility of the commission; |
| (2) Knowledge of national/state disability programs; |
| (3) Policy issues and research; |
| (4) Meet with decision makers, experts and critics in disability and related policy fields; |
| and |
| (5) Develop networks with local, regional, and national based experts, and researchers |
| who can assist in career development and future endeavors. |
| (c) The commission will provide each fellow with a stipend of at least one thousand five |
| hundred dollars ($1,500) and reimbursement for authorized travel. |
| (d) This fellowship program is designed for individuals with demonstrated leadership and |
| expertise interest in policy and research affecting people with disabilities. Applicants must have: |
| (1) Completed at least three (3) semesters of college-level study; |
| (2) Be enrolled as a full or part-time student in an accredited college or university in |
| Rhode Island; |
| (3) Leadership ability; |
| (4) The endorsement of a current/former supervisor/teacher current or former |
| supervisor or teacher; |
| (5) Approval on the part of the college/university to receive credit for the fellowship if |
| selected; and |
| (6) The ability to participate in the semester-long program in Providence for at least two |
| hundred and forty (240) hours during the spring and fall semesters or in the summer. |
| (e) The commission shall give preference in its selection of fellows to Rhode Island |
| residents who are: |
| (1) College students Students and young adults with disabilities, and then to; |
| (2) College students enrolled in a course of study in education and/or or human services |
| for persons with disabilities. |
| (f) The general assembly shall appropriate ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the fiscal |
| year ending June 30, 1998 and annually the sums it deems necessary to implement the purposes |
| of this section. |
| (g) The commission is authorized and empowered to receive donations and grants from |
| sources including, but not limited to, the federal government, governmental and private |
| foundations, and corporate and individual donors; these donations and grants to be deposited in |
| the fellowship fund. The commission may create additional fellowships from available funds. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC004332 |
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