2023 -- H 6253 ======== LC002748 ======== S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Dawson, Messier, and Henries Date Introduced: April 05, 2023 Referred To: House Education It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Section 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled "Certification 1 of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby 2 amended to read as follows: 3 16-11-3. Certificates without examination. 4 (a) The board of regents for council on elementary and secondary education may, in its 5 discretion, issue certificates of qualification without examination to persons who may present 6 evidence of qualification and shall comply with the regulations of the board council. Provided, that 7 any teacher who is certified in two (2) fields or subjects of science, other than general science, shall 8 also be automatically certified in the field or subject of general science without the need for 9 examination or other proof of qualifications in the subject of general science. 10 (b) Effective July 1, 2023, any teacher who is certified in special education – severe 11 intellectual disability, for ages three (3) years to twenty-one (21) years, shall be automatically 12 certified and eligible to teach in all preschool education programs, without the need for examination 13 or other proof of qualifications. 14 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 15 ======== LC002748 ======== LC002748 - Page 2 of 2 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS *** This act would provide that any teacher who is certified in special education – severe 1 intellectual disability, for ages three (3) years to twenty-one (21) years, would be automatically 2 certified and eligible to teach in all preschool education programs, without the need for examination 3 or other proof of qualifications. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. 5 ======== LC002748 ========