2025 -- H 5976

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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 -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, Hull, Serpa, Diaz, and
Messier

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2025

     Referred To: House Finance

     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 117

BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     16-117-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as "building opportunities in out-of-school time".

     16-117-2. Purpose.

     The purpose of this chapter is to provide funding to support comprehensive and effective

afterschool, school vacation, summer learning and workforce development programming for

students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) and professional development that provides

specialized training for staff employed by out-of-school time (“OST”) programs, capacity-building

initiatives, strategies to increase community engagement and program participation, and impact

chronic absenteeism.

     16-117-3. Funding.

     (a) The general assembly shall allocate no less than four million dollars ($4,000,000) in

fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to invest in:

     (1) Targeted professional development that provides specialized training for staff

employed by out-of-school time (“OST”) programs, capacity building initiatives, strategies to

increase community engagement and program participation, and impact chronic absenteeism;

     (2) Program assessment and supports to ensure all out-of-school time (“OST”) programs

show strong outcomes for youth and continuous planning for improvement; and

     (3) Workforce development funding to train and retain a pipeline of high-quality youth

development professionals to enter the field.

     (b) Recipients of funding may include nonprofit organizations, local governments, and

local education authorities.

     16-117-4. Allocation and eligibility.

     (a) The Rhode Island afterschool network, through their fiscal sponsor, the Rhode Island

foundation, shall allocate no less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to provide

professional development and no less than three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000)

to create a competitive request for proposals process to allocate funding for each fiscal year in

which funds may be appropriated by the general assembly.

     (b) Only programs that adhere to the Rhode Island afterschool quality standards and

indicators shall be funded.

     (c) Applicants shall detail funds received from all public sources for existing afterschool,

summer learning and workforce development programs and the eligibility of students and programs

served by the funds.

     (d) Priority shall be given to those programs that seek to support:

     (1) Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility;

     (2) Low-income families, youth with disabilities, multi-language learners, and youth and

families who have limited access to local programs and services; and

     (3) Offering youth a broad array of opportunities, including educational and enrichment

programs. Social emotional learning, civic engagement, and workforce development supported

through STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and arts to prepare youth for academic

success.

     (e) The Rhode Island afterschool network through their fiscal sponsor, the Rhode Island

foundation, shall consult with key stakeholders that include, but are not limited to, the department

of education, the department of human services, and the office of postsecondary education to

maximize the criteria for provision of services.

     16-117-5. Reporting.

     The Rhode Island afterschool network through their fiscal sponsor, the Rhode Island

foundation, shall send a written report to the general assembly and the governor no later than

December 31 of each year on the status and progress of the programs authorized by this chapter.

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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 -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

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     This act would provide four million dollars ($4,000,000) to support comprehensive and

effective afterschool, school vacation, summer learning and workforce development programs for

students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12), provide professional development to

employees of out-of-school time programs, and require an annual report to the general assembly

and the governor on the status and progress of the programs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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