2026 -- H 7114 | |
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LC003216 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, McNamara, Boylan, Finkelman, | |
Date Introduced: January 15, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Education | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
2 | hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 16-21-44. Bullying -- Directed community service. |
4 | (a) This section shall establish a form of restorative justice designed to address acts of |
5 | bullying (the "action") in and around schools that are based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, |
6 | or ethnicity, in a manner which provides a suitable sanction for the action but also promotes |
7 | learning, knowledge, and insight to deter a student from engaging in future acts of bullying. |
8 | (b) As used in this section, the term "bullying" has the same meaning as "bullying" and |
9 | "cyberbullying" as defined in § 16-21-33. |
10 | (c) A student who commits an act or acts of bullying which is based upon or related to the |
11 | religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity of the person subject to the bullying, may, in |
12 | addition to any other penalties provided by law, be required to perform up to ten (10) hours of |
13 | directed community service in a setting and manner to both deter a student from engaging in future |
14 | acts of bullying, and also to promote learning, knowledge, and insight. This community service |
15 | may be imposed by a juvenile hearing board, or a school administration, or any combination |
16 | thereof. Directed community service imposed by a school administration or juvenile hearing board |
17 | shall not be deemed a criminal penalty. |
18 | (d) Directed community service shall be tailored to the bullying action. By way of |
19 | illustration only, and without imposing any limitations, for a student who has bullied a student |
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1 | based upon the student’s Jewish faith or heritage, directed community service pursuant to this |
2 | section could be performed at a Holocaust museum. |
3 | (e) Any community service imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall need |
4 | to be completed within three (3) months from the date of imposition. |
5 | 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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS | |
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1 | This act would provide a form of restorative justice, designed to address incidents of |
2 | bullying in and around schools, that is based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, |
3 | by utilizing directed community service tailored to the bullying action. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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