It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 16-42-1, 16-42-2 and 16-42-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-42 entitled "Education of Gifted Children" are hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 16-42-1. Establishment of program for gifted and talented children. -- ADD} (a) In any city or town where there is a child eligible to attend elementary or secondary schools who is either gifted or talented to such an extent that a standard educational program would not foster potential development, the school committee of the city or town may provide the type of educational program that will satisfy the needs of the gifted or talented child {DEL . DEL} {ADD in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (12), said program to be approved by the commissioner. ADD}

(b) {DEL Local school districts which request support from the state under this chapter in providing DEL} {ADD Providing ADD} programs and services for gifted and talented elementary or secondary level students {ADD : ADD} {DEL must demonstrate that those students: DEL}

(1) {DEL Possess superior capabilities in one or more of the following categories of gifts and talents:

(A) general intelligence;

(B) specific academic aptitude;

(C) creative thinking;

(D) visual, literary, or performing arts; and

(2) DEL} Require {ADD s ADD} an educational program and/or service which is different from that normally provided in the standard school program and which is educationally, personally, and socially beneficial {DEL . DEL} {ADD ; and

(2) Requires that programs developed serve students who demonstrate unique talents and/or superior capabilities in areas such as specific academic aptitude, creative thinking, intelligence, visual, performing and industrial arts, and leadership. ADD}

{ADD 16-42-2. Regulations of the board of regents. -- ADD} It shall be the duty of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to establish regulations for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter; these regulations shall include:

(1) Criteria for the identification of gifted and talented students in the categories in section 16-42-1.

(2) Criteria for education programming for each category of gifted and talented.

(3) Criteria for monitoring and evaluating of educational programs.

(4) {DEL Administrative procedures for state reimbursement of approved programs and services, which shall include, but not be limited to, a definition of eligible expenditures.

(5) DEL} Definitions of responsibilities of local school committees and the department of education.

{DEL (6) DEL} {ADD (5) ADD} Other rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter.

{ADD 16-42-3. State advisory committee. -- ADD} (a) A state advisory committee shall be established by the department of education. The committee shall be comprised of {ADD not less than ADD} fifteen (15) members: one of whom shall be the chairperson of the house finance committee or designee; one of whom shall be the chairperson of the senate finance committee or designee; one of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island association of school superintendents; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the Rhode Island association of school principals; two (2) of whom shall be school teachers; one of whom shall be representative of the state council on the arts; one of whom shall be a representative of a gifted project; two (2) of whom shall be educator representatives of higher education; one of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island association of school committees; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the public who shall be parents; and one of whom shall be representative of business/industry.

(b) In appointing members to the state advisory committee, the commissioner shall ensure equal access and opportunity for participation to all interested parties. Members of the state advisory committee {DEL shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and DEL} shall serve without compensation {ADD and shall meet a minimum of four (4) times a year ADD} . The advisory committee shall advise the commissioner of education on all matters pertaining to the education of gifted and talented students.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.