2025 -- H 5843

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LC002287

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Shanley, Bennett, Hopkins, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2025

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-45 of the General Laws entitled "Regional Vocational Schools

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following section:

     16-45-12. Inter-district communication and accounting between sending or home

districts and receiving districts for CTE and pathways education programs.

     (a) Effective July 1, 2025, for any student enrolled in, accepted to, or attending a state

career and technical education (“CTE”) board-approved program of choice or a pathways education

program, outside of the student's home district:

     (1) Any school district or regional vocational school that receives a student from outside

of their district to provide and attend a career and technical education program of choice or a

pathways education program ( the “receiving district”), shall report back to the home district,

sometimes referred to in this chapter as the “sending district,” regarding the student’s status, on a

quarterly basis, or when a significant change in circumstances has occurred, including when a

student is no longer participating or matriculating in the CTE or pathways education program;

     (2) In instances when the receiving district’s costs to provide those education services are

lower than the per pupil expenditure of the home district, the amount that the student’s home district

shall be responsible for shall be limited to that lower cost of the receiving district; and

     (3) In regard to transportation costs, the student’s home district shall be required to pay

only the actual cost of transportation of the student to the receiving district, notwithstanding any

provisions to the contrary in chapter 21.1 of title 16 (“transportation of school pupils beyond city

and town limits”)

     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education (the “department”) may

promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

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     This act would provide for better communication between sending and receiving districts

regarding students receiving career and technical education or attending pathways programs outside

of the student’s home district. This act would also adjust the costs between a sending and receiving

district to educate and transport students receiving CTE or pathways education services.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2025.

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