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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 -- RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE

EDUCATION COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Kazarian, Blazejewski, Biah, Williams, Henries,
Knight, Ackerman, Ranglin-Vassell, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: February 23, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.

     The general assembly finds and declares that:

     (1) In 2000, the Rhode Island general assembly passed, and the governor signed into law,

"Genocide and Human Rights Education," (Pub. L. 2000, ch. 511, § 1) requiring the Rhode Island

department of education to "develop curricular material on genocide and human rights issues and

guidelines for the teaching of that material”.

     (2) In 2011, the State of Rhode Island passed into law "Genocide Education in Secondary

Schools" (Pub. L. 2011, ch. 45, § 1; Pub. L. 2011, ch. 70, § 1) which emphasized a need to adhere

to making genocide curriculum materials available including, but not limited to, the Holocaust,

Armenia, Cambodia, and Darfur.

      (3) In 2016, the Rhode Island general assembly passed, and the governor signed into law,

Pub. L. 2016, ch. 92, § 2 and Pub. L. 2016, ch. 104, § 2, to require that the Holocaust and genocide

be taught in public middle and high schools.

     (4) Throughout the years, the general assembly has consistently passed resolutions

condemning the Holocaust and genocides. Since the passage of the legislation into law, to require

Holocaust and genocide education in its schools, the general assembly has recognized its

importance by honoring its passage with continued resolutions of its observance.

     (5) The governor, legislators, and community leaders have always made it a priority to

attend and participate in Holocaust and genocide memorials and other related events to emphasize

the continued need to recognize the horrible tragedies and atrocities committed to ancestors of

Rhode Island state community members.

     SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 93.1

THE RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION COMMISSION [SEE

TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

     16-93.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Rhode Island Holocaust and

Genocide Education Commission".

     16-93.1-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings

unless the context shall clearly indicate another or different meaning or intent:

     (1) "Genocide" means any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in substantial

part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group such as:

     (i) Killing members of that group;

     (ii) Causing serious bodily injury to members of that group;

     (iii) Causing permanent impairment of the mental faculties of members of the group

through drugs, torture or similar techniques;

     (iv) Subjecting the group to conditions of life that are intended to cause the physical

destruction of the group in whole or in part;

     (v) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; or

     (vi) Forcibly transferring or attempting to transfer children of the group to another group,

as defined by the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (18 USC 1091).

     (2) "Holocaust" means the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and

murder of approximately six million (6,000,000) Jews and five million (5,000,000) other

individuals by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

     16-93.1-3. Holocaust and genocide education commission.

     (a) There is hereby created a permanent commission to be known as the Rhode Island

Holocaust and genocide education commission to consist of thirteen (13) members: one of whom

shall be the Rhode Island commissioner of elementary and secondary education, or designee; one

of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Superintendent's Association, or designee; one

of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, or designee; one

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of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Federation of Teachers,

or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National

Education Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island

Association of School Committees, or designee; and seven (7) of whom shall be appointed by the

governor to serve a term of three (3) years, at least three (3) of whom shall be involved in Holocaust

and genocide education or have a personal connection or experience with the Holocaust or

genocide; and at least three (3) of whom shall have expertise in investigating, analyzing, or

researching the Holocaust or genocide.

     (b) When making appointments, the governor shall ensure that appointees represent diverse

communities affected by genocide.

     (c) A member of the commission may be removed by the governor for inefficiency, neglect

of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office, after being given a written statement of the charges

and an opportunity to be publicly heard on such charges by the general assembly.

     (d) Vacancies in the commission shall be filled in the manner provided under subsection

(a) of this section. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the

term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that

term. Any appointed member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration of that member's

term until the member's successor takes office.

     16-93.1-4. Meetings and by-laws.

     (a) The commission shall meet at least six (6) times during a calendar year.

     (b) At the first meeting, the commission shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and

other officers from the voting members.

     (c) The commission shall adopt by-laws governing the commission.

     16-93.1-5. Quorum.

     A quorum at the meeting shall consist of seven (7) voting members present.

     16-93.1-6. Expenses.

     Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for

expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

     16-93.1-7. Duties and responsibilities of the commission.

     The commission shall:

     (1) Gather and disseminate Holocaust and genocide information throughout this state;

     (2) Take inventory of current statewide Holocaust and genocide education programs and

initiatives, and partner with the department of elementary and secondary education to prepare a

comprehensive educational program to fill program and initiative gaps;

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     (3) Plan and publicize Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Month Activities to be

commemorated annually in April of each year, and promote public awareness of issues relating to

the Holocaust and genocide education through public education programs;

     (4) Advise and educate the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies

regarding the nature, magnitude and priorities of Holocaust and genocide education, and develop

policies and programs to address those needs;

     (5) Seek opportunities to provide resources for schools to effectively teach about the

Holocaust and genocide;

     (6) Apply for and accept grants and gifts from public and private sources to be administered

by the commission or subcontracted to local public or nonprofit agencies that shall use the grants

and gifts for the purpose intended;

     (7) Review and approve grants that are administered or subcontracted by the commission;

     (8)(i) Establish advisory committees for special subjects, as needed, to facilitate and

maximize community participation and subject matter expertise in the operation of the commission;

     (ii) Advisory committees shall be comprised of members representing community

organizations, charitable institutions, elementary and secondary schools, higher education

institutions, faith-based organizations, public officials, and other persons as determined by the

office;

     (9) Establish relationships with local and state governments, federal officials, nonprofit

organizations, and the private sector to promote and ensure the highest standards of Holocaust and

genocide education;

     (10) Endeavor to ensure that Holocaust and genocide survivors, liberators, educators, and

others involved in Holocaust and genocide education have access to decision-making bodies in

local, state, national, and international departments, agencies, and genocide education and

memorial organizations; and

     (11) Submit a written annual report of the commission's activities, accomplishments, and

recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of

representatives.

     SECTION 3. 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 -- RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE

EDUCATION COMMISSION

***

     This act would create the Holocaust and genocide education commission to:

     (1) Gather and disseminate Holocaust and genocide information;

     (2) Review current statewide Holocaust and genocide education programs and initiatives,

and partner with the state department of elementary and secondary education to prepare a program;

     (3) Promote public awareness of issues relating to Holocaust and genocide education;

     (4) Advise and educate the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies

regarding the nature, magnitude and priorities of Holocaust and genocide education, and develop

policies and programs to address those needs; and

     (5) Seek opportunities to provide resources for schools to effectively teach about the

Holocaust and genocide.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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