2023 -- H 5279
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LC000504
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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 -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION
Introduced By: Representatives Perez, J. Lombardi, Lima, Hull, Fellela, and Vella-
Wilkinson
Date Introduced: February 01, 2023
Referred To: House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary 1
Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby 2
amended by adding thereto the following section: 3
16-59-29. Graduate student, faculty, and staff vaccine exemption. 4
(a) Students enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs, who are granted medical 5
or religious vaccine exemptions by their sponsoring university or college, as well as faculty and 6
staff who work in such programs, shall not be subject to discrimination within a required place of 7
external learning (RePEL), including, but not limited to, places of internships, residencies, 8
rotations, fellowships, mentorships, clinical laboratories, research laboratories, studios, theaters, 9
culinary or hospitality venues, and practica. 10
(b) If any student, faculty member, or other staff is enrolled or working in a degree program 11
requiring their participation within a contracted place of business identified as a RePEL, whether 12
compensated or unpaid, that person shall remain chiefly subject to the academic institution’s policy 13
and protected in the status as a student, faculty member, or other staff, and by providing fair 14
opportunity to attend RePELs in compliance with the dispatching college's or university’s 15
immunological requirements and procedures. 16
(c) Dispatching academies having financial investment with, potential conflicts of interest 17
with, and/or business partnerships with a company that furnishes a RePEL, are required to uphold 18
the college or university’s immunological procedures and exemptions any time a pupil, faculty 19
LC000504 - Page 2 of 3
member, or other staff, participates in their duties as a student, faculty member, or other staff, within 1
the incorporated company. 2
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 3
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LC000504 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECON DARY EDUCATION
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This act would prohibit discrimination in postsecondary education of students who are 1
enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs, along with faculty members and other staff 2
in those programs, who are granted medical or religious vaccine exemptions by a sponsoring 3
university or college. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC000504
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