2024 -- S 2842

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LC005612

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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 -- BILL OF RIGHTS FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Mack, Pearson, DiMario, DiPalma, Lawson, McKenney,
and Zurier

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 54.1

BILL OF RIGHTS FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS ACT

     16-54.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Bill of Rights for Multilingual

Learners Act."

     16-54.1-2. Definitions.

     For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following

meanings:

     (1) "Bill of rights" means the bill of rights for multilingual learners drafted and approved

by the council pursuant to § 16-54.1-3.

     (2) "Council" means the council on elementary and secondary education established

pursuant to § 16-60-1.

     (3) "Multilingual learner" means a student learning English as an additional language.

     16-54.1-3. Multilingual learner student bill of rights.

     (a) The council shall draft and approve a written bill of rights for parents or guardians of

students who are multilingual learners to guarantee that the rights of the parents and students are

adequately safeguarded and protected in the scope of bilingual education. The bill of rights shall

include, but need not be limited to, the following declarations:

     (1) The right of a multilingual learner student to attend a public school in the state

regardless of the student's immigration status or the immigration status of the student's parent or

guardian;

     (2) The right of a parent or guardian of a multilingual learner student to enroll the student

in a public school without being required to submit immigration documentation, including, but not

limited to, a Social Security number, visa documentation or proof of citizenship;

     (3) The right of a multilingual learner student to have translation services provided:

     (i) By an interpreter who is present in person or available by telephone or through an online

technology platform, or

     (ii) Through an Internet website or other electronic application approved by the council,

during critical interactions with teachers and administrators, including, but not limited to, parent-

teacher conferences, meetings with administrators of the school in which the student is attending,

and at properly noticed regular or special meetings of the school personnel or scheduled meetings

with a member or members of the school board responsible for educating the student;

     (4) The right of a multilingual learner student to participate in a program of bilingual

education offered by the local school board when there are twenty (20) or more eligible students

classified as dominant in a language other than English;

     (5) The right of a parent or guardian of a multilingual learner student to receive written

notice, in both English and the dominant language of the parent or guardian, that the student is

eligible to participate in a program of bilingual education or English as a new language program

offered by the local school board;

     (6) The right of a multilingual learner student and the parent or guardian of the student to

receive a high-quality orientation session, in the dominant language of the student and parent or

guardian, from the local school personnel that provides information relating to state standards, tests

and expectations at the school for multilingual learner students, as well as the goals and

requirements for programs of bilingual education and English as a new language, prior to

participation in the program of bilingual education or English as a new language;

     (7) The right of the parent or guardian of a multilingual learner student to receive

information about the progress of the student's English language development;

     (8) The right of a multilingual learner student and the parent or guardian of the student to

meet with school personnel to discuss the student's English language development;

     (9) The right of a multilingual learner student to be placed in a program of bilingual

education or English as a new language, if offered by the local school board;

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     (10) The right of a multilingual learner student to have equal access to all grade-level

school programming;

     (11) The right of a multilingual learner student to have equal access to all core grade-level

subject matter;

     (12) The right of a multilingual learner student to receive annual language proficiency

testing;

     (13) The right of a multilingual learner student to receive support services aligned with any

intervention plan that the school or school district provides to all students;

     (14) The right of a multilingual learner student to be continuously and annually enrolled in

a program of bilingual education or English as a new language while the student remains an eligible

student; and

     (15) The right of a parent or guardian of a multilingual learner student to contact the local

school board with any questions or concerns regarding the student's right to receive multilingual

learner services or accommodations available to the student or parent or guardian, including

information regarding any recourse for failure of the school board to ensure the services or

accommodations are provided.

     (16) All public elementary and secondary schools shall post the bill of rights in a place

conspicuous to students and the public.

     16-54.1-4. Written and online access to multilingual learner bill of rights.

     On or before September 1, 2024, and each school year thereafter, each local school board

providing a program of bilingual education or English as a new language shall:

     (1) Provide the parents and guardians of eligible students with a copy of the multilingual

learner bill of rights in the dominant language of the parents and guardians; and

     (2) Make such copies of the multilingual learner bill of rights available on the Internet

website of the school board.

     16-54.1-5. Translation services provided at meetings.

     Each school board shall, upon request of the parent or guardian of a multilingual learner

student or of the multilingual learner student, provide translation services to the parent or guardian

and/or student at a properly noticed regular or special meeting of the school board or at a scheduled

meeting with school personnel. The request for translation services shall be made at least one day

in advance of the meeting of the school board or with school personnel.

     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 -- BILL OF RIGHTS FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS ACT

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     This act would require the council on elementary and secondary education to draft a written

bill of rights for parents or guardians of students who are multilingual learners that safeguard and

protect the rights of multilingual learners in public schools.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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