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:

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

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

following section:

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

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

concepts:

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

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

sexist;

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

whether consciously or unconsciously;

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

partly because of their race or sex;

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

to race or sex;

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

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

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

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

psychological distress on account of their race or sex; or

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

particular race to oppress another race;

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

form of race or sex scapegoating:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

psychological distress on account of their race or sex.

     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

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

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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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