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HB 6237

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justine Caldwell and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a two-year DESE-run Rhode Island student cultural exchange pilot for 12th-graders to stay with host families in another state and compare communities.

04/11/2025 Introduced, referred to House Finance
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Bill Summary · HB 6237

Summary — HB 6237: Student Cultural Exchange Program

Status: Introduced April 11, 2025; referred to House Finance (Rhode Island General Assembly). Effective upon passage (per bill).

Note: the bill text supplied also contained unrelated Michigan judicial statute language; this summary focuses on the Rhode Island “Student Cultural Exchange Program” provisions.

Purpose

Establish a two‑year pilot student cultural exchange program, managed by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), to enable grade 12 students to travel to another U.S. state, stay with host families for one week, and explore political, socioeconomic, and cultural similarities and differences between communities.

Key provisions

  • Program structure and oversight

    • DESE will oversee a two‑year pilot beginning with the 2026–2027 school year (first year begins Aug. 1, 2026; second year begins Aug. 1, 2027).
    • DESE may contract with a public or private entity that coordinates a national cultural exchange.
    • DESE must seek diverse participation across schools and districts to the greatest extent practicable.
    • The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education will adopt rules for distributing program funds.

  • Participation goals and reporting

    • Target participation: at least 5 schools in year one; up to 10 schools in year two.
    • DESE must “ensure participation by students to the greatest extent practicable” by July 1, 2028.
    • DESE must submit an initial report to legislative education committees by Sept. 1, 2028, detailing participating students, schools, and districts and may recommend legislative changes.

  • Funding and finance

    • Establishes a separate Cultural Exchange Program Fund (distinct from the general fund). Interest earned is credited to the fund.
    • Fund sources: transfers from categorized education aid, other appropriations or transfers by the General Assembly, gifts/grants/donations (including private foundations), and any other monies deposited.
    • DESE may award grants to encourage and assist student participation; fund monies may also cover DESE’s implementation costs.
    • Initial funding directive: for years 2025–2028 DESE shall transfer a sufficient sum from categorized education aid to the fund; the fund may receive monies starting in 2025.

  • Sunset

    • The chapter (pilot) sunsets and expires Aug. 1, 2028, unless the General Assembly extends it.

Who is affected

  • Primary participants: grade 12 students in Rhode Island public and nonpublic schools.
  • Schools and school districts (selection/participation targets).
  • DESE (program administration, contracting, reporting).
  • Host families and any third‑party program operators under contract.
  • Funding: state education aid allocations and any private donors.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • First program year: begins Aug. 1, 2026; second: Aug. 1, 2027.
  • Initial program reporting due Sept. 1, 2028.
  • Program expires Aug. 1, 2028 unless extended.
  • As of introduction (4/11/2025), the bill is in the House Finance Committee.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Expands experiential civic and cultural education opportunities for seniors.
  • Requires budget transfers from categorized education aid and ongoing administrative resources at DESE.
  • Reliance on contracting and private gifts could affect program scale and sustainability.
  • Sunset structure makes continuation contingent on legislative review and appropriation after the pilot period.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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