2024 -- S 2864

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Acosta, Quezada, Kallman, McKenney, Burke,
LaMountain, Lauria, Murray, and Euer

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate 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 114

BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     16-114-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School

Time".

     16-114-2. 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) to work in partnership with others to impact

chronic absenteeism.

     16-114-3. Funding.

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

fiscal year 2024-2025 budget to invest in:

     (1) High-quality afterschool and out-of-school ("OST") programs and instructors;

     (2) Quality assistance supports for educator professional development;

     (3) Workforce development and funding for a pipeline of high-quality youth development

professionals; and

     (4) Funding for retention and professional development.

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

universities and local education authorities.

     16-114-4. Allocation and eligibility.

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

Foundation, shall 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 types 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 challenges with access to services; and

     (3) Offering youth a broad array of additional resources, educational programs, social

emotional learning opportunities and civic learning engagements presented in multiple ways,

including twenty-first century learning skills supported through youth engagement in STEM

(science, technology, engineering and math) arts and other collaborative programs that are designed

to prepare youth for learning and traditional academic programs.

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

Foundation shall consult with key stakeholders that include, but is not limited to, the department of

education and the department of human services to maximize the provision of services and

coordinate programs and services for youth during programs funded by this chapter.

     16-114-5. 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.

     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), 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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