2024 -- S 2291

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LC004320

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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: Senators DiMario, Bissaillon, Valverde, Euer, Cano, Zurier, Lauria,
Lawson, Mack, and Murray

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate 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. Flexible schools schedule to be implemented upon death of student or

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educator.

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     In the event of a tragic death of an educator or a student within a local educational agency

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(LEA), the LEA shall be given up to five (5) days after the death to implement a flexible school

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schedule for teachers and students. Within that time, an LEA crisis team shall determine the proper

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need of those days, which may include, but is not limited to, attending funerals, training staff to

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support grieving students, days of mourning, and staff working directly with the students that have

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been affected by the death. Schools shall not be required to make up the grief days at the end of the

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school year.

 

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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 provide that in the event of the death of an educator or a student, a local

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educational agency would be given up to five (5) days after the death to implement a flexible school

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schedule for teachers and students. This act would also amend the title of chapter 16-21.7 to "The

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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