|
2012 -- S 2079 | |
|
======= | |
|
LC00396 | |
|
======= | |
|
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
|
| |
|
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
|
| |
|
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
|
| |
|
____________ | |
|
| |
|
A N A C T | |
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduced By: Senators Tassoni, Doyle, DiPalma, Cote, and DeVall | |
|
Date Introduced: January 18, 2012 | |
|
Referred To: Senate Education | |
|
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
|
1-1 |
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
|
1-2 |
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
|
1-3 |
16-21-35. Texting in school restricted. -- (a) The Rhode Island department of |
|
1-4 |
elementary and secondary education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide policy restricting |
|
1-5 |
texting during school hours. For purposes of this section, "school hours" shall mean those hours |
|
1-6 |
which encompass the period when classes are normally in session at the school and for which |
|
1-7 |
students are to be in attendance, as well as such ancillary times that are part of the traditional |
|
1-8 |
school day, including, but not limited to, homeroom, study hall periods, lunch and recess. |
|
1-9 |
(b) The statewide policy shall apply to all schools that are approved and accredited by the |
|
1-10 |
board of regents for elementary and secondary education, pursuant to of subdivision 16-60-4(10) |
|
1-11 |
and shall contain the following: |
|
1-12 |
(1) The definition of and statement(s) prohibiting texting, except in an emergency of |
|
1-13 |
health and/or safety and except for educational or instructional purposes, with prior approval from |
|
1-14 |
school administration. |
|
1-15 |
(2) A provision that states disciplinary actions for violations of the texting policy shall be |
|
1-16 |
determined by the school's appropriate authority; however, no student shall be suspended from |
|
1-17 |
school solely based upon a violation of this texting policy. |
|
1-18 |
(3) A provision stating that no cell phone shall be taken from the student for a period |
|
1-19 |
beyond the school day of the offense. |
|
2-20 |
(4) A provision stating that school officials cannot view the contents of a cell phone |
|
2-21 |
unless authorized by law or unless said official has a reasonable belief that the cell phone was |
|
2-22 |
used to violate another school policy, such as cheating or bullying and only to the extent |
|
2-23 |
necessary to verify the existence of the specific text at issue. |
|
2-24 |
(c) All schools that are approved and accredited pursuant to subdivision 16-60-4(10) for |
|
2-25 |
the purpose of section 16-19-1 shall be subject to the requirements of this section. School districts |
|
2-26 |
and schools must adopt the statewide texting policy promulgated pursuant to this subsection by |
|
2-27 |
June 31, 2013. |
|
2-28 |
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
|
| |
|
======= | |
|
LC00396 | |
|
======== | |
|
EXPLANATION | |
|
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
|
OF | |
|
A N A C T | |
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL | |
|
*** | |
|
3-1 |
This act would require the department of elementary and secondary education to adopt a |
|
3-2 |
statewide policy prohibiting texting during school hours, except in certain circumstances. |
|
3-3 |
This act would take effect upon passage. |
|
| |
|
======= | |
|
LC00396 | |
|
======= |