2021 -- H 6070

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LC001895

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION – CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Nardone, and Roberts

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

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Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the

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following section:

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     16-22-34. Prohibition of teaching divisive concepts.

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     (a) For purposes of this section, divisive concepts shall mean and include the following

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concepts:

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     (1) One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;

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     (2) The state of Rhode Island or the United States of America is fundamentally racist or

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sexist;

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     (3) An individual, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive,

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whether consciously or unconsciously;

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     (4) An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or

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partly because of their race or sex;

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     (5) Members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect

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to race or sex;

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     (6) An individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by their race or sex;

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     (7) An individual, by virtue of their race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed

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in the past by other members of the same race or sex;

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     (8) Any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of

 

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psychological distress on account of their race or sex; or

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     (9) Meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a

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particular race to oppress another race;

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     (10) Divisive concepts includes any other form of race or sex stereotyping of any other

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form of race or sex scapegoating:

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     (i) “Race or sex stereotyping” means ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical

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codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race or sex or to an individual because of their race or sex;

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     (ii) “Race or sex scapegoating” means assigning fault, blame, or bias to a race or sex, or to

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members of a race or sex because of their race or sex and similarly encompasses any claim that any

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particular race or sex is responsible for society’s ills.

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     (b) All state and municipal contracts, grants and training programs entered into after the

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effective date of this section shall include provisions banning the teaching of divisive concepts and

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shall prohibit making any individual feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of

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psychological distress on account of their race or sex.

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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 – CURRICULUM

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     This act would prohibit the teaching of divisive concepts and would mandate that any

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contract, grant or training program entered into by the state or any municipality include provisions

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prohibiting teaching divisive concepts and prohibit making any individual feel discomfort, guilty,

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anguish or any distress on account of their race or sex.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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