2024 -- S 2280

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LC004837

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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 -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, and Valverde

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

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Chapter 97 — the Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the

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following section:

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     16-22-4.3. Instruction in specially designed physical education.

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     (a) Any city or town may enact a municipal ordinance, to provide that any specially

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designed physical education instruction that is provided as part of a student's individualized

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education program (IEP) shall be open to all students choosing to participate; provided that, the

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student agrees to be incorporated into the specially designed physical education class as a "partner"

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to help implement the program and accompany and assist the student who requires the IEP.

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"Partner" for purposes of this section means any student who enrolls in a specially designed

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physical education class which is part of another student's IEP to serve as a partner to provide

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assistance to the student.

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     (b) Students participating as partners under this section shall receive full credit towards

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their graduation requirements as a full participant of the physical education class as if the class

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were offered pursuant to § 16-22-4 and each class hour spent as a partner under this section shall

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count as an hour of education as requires by § 16-22-4.

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     (c) Participating as a partner under this section shall be subject to procedures regarding

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eligibility and approval by the individual school administration.

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     (d) The department of education is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations

 

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necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

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     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 EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would enable cities and towns to enact enabling legislation authorizing a partner

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program to assist students with an IEP for specially designed physical education classes.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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