2025 -- H 6237

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LC002717

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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 -- STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, McNamara, Caldwell, and Potter

     Date Introduced: April 11, 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

STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

     16-117-1. Program oversight.

     (a) There is hereby established within the department of elementary and secondary

education a student cultural exchange program. The department of elementary and secondary

education ("department") may provide oversight of a two (2) year pilot program ("program")

commencing with the 2026-2027 school year. This program may be operated under a contract

between the department and a public or private entity that coordinates a national cultural exchange

program for students of this state.

     (b) The program provided for by this section shall enable students in grade twelve (12) to

register to travel to a location in another state to stay with a host family in that state for a week of

experiences that allow students to explore similarities and differences in the political,

socioeconomic and cultural features of their place of residence and the location of the exchange.

     (c) The department shall ensure that, to the greatest extent practicable, students

representing a diversity of schools from a diversity of school districts participate in the program.

     (d) The department may award grants to encourage students to participate in the program

and to assist students who are participating in the program.

     16-117-2. Participation.

     (a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall ensure participation by

students to the greatest extent practicable, by July 1, 2028. The first year of the program shall

commence August 1, 2026, and the second year of the program shall commence August 1, 2027.

The targeted goal of participation shall be at least five (5) schools within the first year of the

program, and up to ten (10) schools in the second year. The further targeted goal is to establish the

program such that is able to continue beyond the two (2) year pilot period and become a

continuously and permanently funded program, if so extended by the general assembly pursuant to

§ 16-117-7.

     (b) No later than September 1, 2028, the department shall submit an initial report to the

education committees of the house and senate on the number of students, school districts and

schools that participated in the program. The report may recommend to the general assembly

legislative changes related to the program.

     16-117-3. Cultural exchange program fund.

     (a) The cultural exchange program fund (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “fund”)

shall be established by the state treasurer, separate and distinct from the general fund. Interest

earned on the cultural exchange program fund shall be credited to the fund.

     (b) Monies in the cultural exchange program fund shall be continuously allocated to the

department of elementary and secondary education on a rolling basis for the purpose of providing

funding for the program described in this chapter, including the awarding of grants.

     (c) The department, on behalf of the state, may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations

from public and private sources including, but not limited to, charitable foundations and

grantmaking foundations, for the purpose of the program described in this chapter. Monies received

under this subsection shall be deposited into the cultural exchange program fund.

     (d) The cultural exchange program fund shall consist of monies transferred from the

categorized education aid, other monies appropriated or transferred to the fund by the general

assembly, monies deposited as provided by this section, and any other monies deposited into the

fund from any source, including private entities.

     16-117-4. Use of cultural exchange program funds.

     The department of elementary and secondary education shall use monies in the statewide

cultural exchange program fund account only to provide funding for the national cultural exchange

program described in this chapter, and to fund costs incurred by the department in implementing

the provisions of this chapter.

     16-117-5. Regulations.

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     The council on elementary and secondary education shall adopt rules necessary for the

distribution of monies pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

     16-117-6. Initial funding.

     For the years 2025 through 2028, the department of elementary and secondary education

shall transfer a sum sufficient from the categorical education aid to the cultural exchange program

fund established under this chapter to implement the provisions of this chapter. The fund shall be

eligible to receive funds starting in 2025.

     16-117-7. Sunset.

     The provisions of this chapter shall sunset and expire August 1, 2028, unless extended by

the general assembly.

     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 -- STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

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     This act would direct the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a

two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this

state. This act would also prescribe the requirements of the program and establish a cultural

exchange program fund to support the program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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