2023 -- H 5222 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC000707/SUB A
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT
Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Donovan, Noret, Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela,
Lima, Knight, Serpa, Boylan, and Shanley
Date Introduced: January 25, 2023
Referred To: House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno 1
and Jason Flatt Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
CHAPTER 16-21.7 3
The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act 4
CHAPTER 16-21.7 5
THE NATHAN BRUNO, JASON FLATT, AND ALICIA BIROS BEREAVEMENT ACT 6
SECTION 2. Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno and Jason 7
Flatt Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 8
16-21.7-5. Suggested protocols to be developed. 9
(a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop suggested 10
protocols for local school committees and boards to adopt and follow relating to and in response to 11
the death of a student, teacher, and other staff member of a school. These protocols shall include 12
but need not be limited to the following: 13
(1) Procedures to be followed for students, teachers, administrators, and other staff that are 14
responsive to the school environment and the situation; 15
(2) The availability of grief counseling that is developmentally appropriate for the student 16
population; 17
(3) The availability of grief counseling for teachers, administrators and other staff; and 18
(4) Procedures for teachers, administrators, and other staff to respond in developmentally 19
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appropriate ways to students. 1
(b) These protocols may be offered as a set of options or alternatives to be followed. 2
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 3
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LC000707/SUB A - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT
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This act would direct the department of elementary and secondary education to 1
develop suggested protocols for local school committees and boards to adopt and follow 2
relating to and in response to the death of a student, teacher, or other staff member at a 3
school. These protocols would include procedures to be followed for students, teachers, 4
administrators, and other staff that are responsive to the school environment and the 5
situation. 6
This act would take effect upon passage. 7
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LC000707/SUB A
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