Chapter 347
2023 -- S 0767 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/26/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

Introduced By: Senators Zurier, Ciccone, DiPalma, and Pearson

Date Introduced: March 23, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Board of
Education Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     16-97-11. American Rescue Plan fiscal accountability and transparency.
     (a) The board of education and council on elementary and secondary education shall
require all school districts and local education agencies to report on a standardized form each fiscal
year, relating to any and all of the American Rescue Plan, elementary and secondary school
emergency relief, and state and local recovery funds, the following information:
     (1) Amounts received;
     (2) Amounts allocated with project/program description;
     (3) Amounts spent on hiring staff;
     (4) Job titles hired or retained with aforesaid funds;
     (5) Premium pay amount issued to employees and type of employees compensated;
     (6) Total amount of funds not spent and remaining, if any; and
     (7) Copies of all progress reports submitted to federal government agencies concerning the
use of "ESSER III" proceeds.
     (b) Said reports shall be published on the department of education's website for public
inspection and review.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 44-35 of the General Laws entitled "Property Tax and Fiscal
Disclosure — Municipal Budgets" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     44-35-11. American rescue plan fiscal accountability and transparency.
     (a) All cities and towns shall provide to the division of municipal finance a report on a
standardized form each fiscal year, any and all of the American Rescue Plan funds received through
the "local fiscal recovery fund" program including the following information:
     (1) Amounts received;
     (2) Amounts allocated with project/program description;
     (3) Amounts spent on hiring staff;
     (4) Job titles hired or retained with aforesaid funds;
     (5) Premium pay amount issued to employees and type of employees compensated;
     (6) Total amount of funds not spent and remaining, if any; and
     (7) Copies of all progress reports submitted to federal government agencies concerning the
use of "local fiscal recovery fund" proceeds.
     (b) Said reports shall be published on the division of municipal finance's website for public
inspection and review.
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
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LC002538/SUB A
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