2013 -- H 6023

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LC02409

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, Jacquard, MacBeth, Hull, and Carnevale

     Date Introduced: April 24, 2013

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled “Health and Safety of Pupils” is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-35. School resource officers. -- (a) Every public school in the state may have a

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school resource officer assigned to it. The school resource officer shall be available and present

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on the school’s grounds at all times during the regular school day of the particular school. The

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school resource officer shall be a member and employee of the police department which serves

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the particular school.

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     (b) Funding for the school resource officers shall be through the funding for the police

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department that serves the particular school. Funding for the resource officer shall be separate

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from foundation level school support as provided for in chapter 16-7 (“Foundation Level School

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Support”). Provided, the general assembly shall include a separate appropriation to municipalities

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as a portion of aid to cities and towns to assist in the costs of school resource officers. In making

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such appropriation, the general assembly may consider the amount and percentage of the state’s

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share of foundation level school support given to the particular community, but such

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consideration shall be as a guide only, and the state shall not be obligated to provide any set

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percentage of funding for school resource officers.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02409

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would authorize cities and towns to have a school resource officer in every

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public school.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02409

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