This bill, titled "The Educational Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," makes several amendments to the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act. It adds a new section that outlines specific programs eligible for state funding, including special education costs, career and technical education costs, pre-kindergarten programs, stabilization funds for certain schools, transportation costs for non-public schools and regional school districts, and a regionalization bonus for regionalized school districts. The bill also provides additional state support for English learners. The bill specifies that the department of elementary and secondary education will prorate funds if the approved costs exceed the available funding. It also establishes a Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center Stabilization Fund, provides state funding for transportation costs, and establishes a regionalization bonus for regionalized school districts.

Additionally, the bill requires all public schools in grades K-12 to have at least one full-time certified school social worker for every 250 students. It includes an appropriation of $2 million for fiscal year 2024 to allow school districts and municipalities to employ additional social workers. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
258: 16-7.2-6