2021 -- H 5824

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- PURPLE-STAR RHODE ISLAND

DEPENDENT EDUCATION ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Noret, Solomon, Azzinaro, Kennedy,
and Filippi

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 30 of the General Laws entitled "MILITARY AFFAIRS AND

DEFENSE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 30.4

PURPLE-STAR RHODE ISLAND DEPENDENT EDUCATION ACT

     30-30.4-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the military child "Purple-Star Rhode Island

Dependent Education Act", or "PRIDE" act.

     30-30.4-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases are construed as follows:

     (1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

     (2) "Military-connected student" means a student who is the dependent of either a person

in the active military service of the United States or in a full-time status during active service with

a force of the Rhode Island National Guard.

     30-30.4-3. Purple - Star Schools.

     (a) The commissioner shall designate a school as a purple star school if the school applies

and qualifies for the designation pursuant to the provisions of this section.

     (b) To qualify as a purple star school, at a minimum a school shall:

     (1) Designate a staff member as a military liaison, whose duties include:

     (i) Identifying military-connected students enrolled at the school;

     (ii) Serving as the point of contact between the school and military connected students and

their families;

     (iii) Determining appropriate campus services available to military-connected students;

and

     (iv) Assisting in coordinating campus programs relevant to military-connected students;

     (2) Maintain on the school Internet website an easily accessible webpage that includes

resources for military-connected students and their families, including information regarding:

     (i) Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at, and transferring records to the school;

     (ii) Academic planning, course sequences, and advanced classes available at the school;

and

     (iii) Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students

enrolled at the school;

     (3) Maintain a transition program led by students, where appropriate, that assists military-

connected students in transitioning into the school;

     (4) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military-

connected students; and

     (5) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:

     (i) A resolution showing support for military-connected students and their families;

     (ii) Recognition of the month of the military child or military family month with relevant

events hosted by the school; or

     (iii) A partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active

duty military members to volunteer at the campus, speak at an assembly, or host a field trip.

     (c) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement

the provisions of this section.

     30-30.4-4. Advance enrollment.

     A military-connected student whose parent or guardian is being relocated to the state under

military orders and is transferred to or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state,

shall be deemed to be a resident pupil of a city or town for the purposes of enrollment. A school

and/or school district shall permit military-connected students to enroll preliminary by remote

registration without charge and shall not require the parents or guardians of the military-connected

student or the student himself or herself to physically appear at a location within the district to

register the student, if the parent or guardian presents evidence of military orders that a parent or

guardian will be stationed in this state during the current or following school year. The parent or

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guardian may use an address within the school district where the military-connected student is to

be enrolled of a temporary on-base billeting facility, a purchased or leased home or apartment, or

federal government or public-private venture off-base military housing. Proof of required residency

shall not be required at the time of the remote registration but shall be required within ten (10) days

of the student's attendance in the school of the city or town where he or she resides.

     30-30.4-5. Virtual schools.

     When making determinations regarding eligibility for virtual learning education pursuant

to the provisions of § 16-22.1-5, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall

deem a military-connected student, whose parent or guardian is being relocated to the state under

military orders and is transferred to or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state,

a resident of this state and the applicable local school system, for the entirety of the school year and

promulgate regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section.

     30-30.4-6. Tuition continuity.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a spouse or child of a member

of the active military service of the United States who has been assigned to duty elsewhere

immediately following assignment to duty in Rhode Island shall be deemed to be an in-state

resident for the purposes of determining tuition and fees at Rhode Island public universities,

colleges or community colleges, and is entitled to pay the tuition and other fees or charges provided

for Rhode Island residents as long as the spouse or child resides continuously in Rhode Island and

remains enrolled at the public university, college or community college.

     30-30.4-7. Liberal construction.

     The provisions of this chapter shall be given full effect notwithstanding any other

provisions of law to the contrary. This chapter shall be construed liberally so as to enable spouses

and military-connected students of eligible service members to minimize disruptions in education

and school transition.

     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 MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- PURPLE-STAR RHODE ISLAND

DEPENDENT EDUCATION ACT

***

     This act would establish the "Purple-star Rhode Island Dependent Education Act". The act

would provide that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education designate schools as

"purple-star" schools if the schools establish a program to assist children of military service

members.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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