It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 16-2 of the General Laws entitled "School Committees and Superintendents" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 16-2-5.1. Professional development. -- ADD} {ADD The department of education in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees, shall develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island school committees, that will include instruction in school finance; school law; duties and responsibilities of the committee; duties and responsibilities of the superintendent; ethics; the requirements of the open meetings law; annual performance evaluation of the school superintendent and the local school committee; and such other topics as the department of education and the Rhode Island association of school committees may deem to be necessary. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 1995.