2024 -- H 7196 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Bennett, McEntee, Spears, Carson, Knight,
and Noret

     Date Introduced: January 17, 2024

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno

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and Jason Flatt Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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CHAPTER 16-21.7

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The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act

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CHAPTER 16-21.7

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THE NATHAN BRUNO, JASON FLATT, AND ALICIA BIROS BEREAVEMENT ACT

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno and Jason

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Flatt Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21.7-5. Emergency response and crisis management upon death of a student or

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staff member.

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     (a) Each public school district shall adopt a policy for the immediate response to the death

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of a student or staff member which may include, within and using administrative discretion, a

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period to be commenced upon the death of the student or staff member or at such other times as the

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administration determines is appropriate under the particular circumstances, during which time the

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local education agency (LEA) shall provide school schedule modifications that foster a supportive

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school climate for responding proactively to losses that impact students and staff.

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     (b) Modifications to the school schedule pursuant to this section may include, but not be

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limited to, time allowances provided for students and/or staff to attend services for the deceased;

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time allowances dedicated to training staff to support grieving students; time allowances to attend

 

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school-sponsored grief counseling; and time allowances to process grief privately in separate areas

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and/or support rooms within the school separate and apart from the classroom setting where a

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student may have privacy.

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     (c) Time allowances provided pursuant to this section shall be considered part of the school

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day for purposes of ยง 16-19-1.

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     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 -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT

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     This act would require public school districts to adopt a policy for responding to the death

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of a student or staff member. This act would also amend the title of chapter 16-21.7 to "The Nathan

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Bruno, Jason Flatt, and Alicia Biros Bereavement Act."

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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