Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation that would lead to an increase in education on consent and sexual activity in secondary schools. The bill would permit the teaching of sexual consent in the context of existing
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Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation that would lead to an increase in education on consent and sexual activity in secondary schools. The bill would permit the teaching of sexual consent in the context of existing family life courses.
"Consent education goes far beyond the simplistic 'no means no,'" explained Solomon. "It means teaching high school-aged kids that a person agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. If we wait until young people go off to college to learn about consent, then we've waited too long."
The bill would allow existing curriculum to incorporate age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the law and meaning of consent.
"Fortunately, we live in a time when we've become more comfortable talking about this," said Representative Solomon. "Having a conversation about consent, opening up a dialogue, will ultimately lead to a decrease in sexual violence over time. But it has to start in high schools and it has to start now."
Rhode Island would join the state of California, which enacted a sexual consent law in 2015 and the commonwealth of Virginia, which passed a law similar to Representative Solomon's legislation last year.
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Daniel P. McKiernan (D-Dist. 7, Providence), Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) and Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston), has been referred to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.
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richardcorrente
Dear Joe,
Some years ago (about 20) I proposed to the R.I. Legislature that they create a law that allows for children to be tax-deductible from R.I. tax returns and/or Federal tax returns but only on the condition that the parents attend a class on parenting. I suggested that they only need to do this with the first born child since the knowledge would extend to any future children.
As you know, children are tax deductible today, but with no need for education. Your bill as described above sounds like a perfect topic for this kind of requirement. If we need "drivers education" to be able to drive a car, it makes sense that we should have some sort of parenting education. It should not and probably CANNOT be required but I believe that it is legal and would be acceptable to the general public if there was a requirement for the parenting-class-in-return-for-a-tax-deduction.
Please consider it.
Rick Corrente
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Report this
Justanidiot
if we coulds only make that reteroactive and make yer parents take the class, just tink how warwick wood be with a well adjusted mayer
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Good point Justanidiot.
Good point.
However I'm way past the age of being tax deductible (about 45 years past), and sadly both of my parents are passed.
But it's always good to hear from you.
Regards,
Rick
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
Parenting class? Like when you went to court and testified that you could only afford $10 week in child support? Must I post the exact language from the court documents?
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Response to Thecaptains remarks: (AKA Rob Cote)
I don't ever remember saying I could only afford $10 a week in child support. Maybe I did. Maybe not. Maybe I was using the courts calculation-of-income-affordability. Maybe Rob Cote is taking it out of context. Maybe he is lying. It doesn't matter. Here are the facts:
I divorced my wife in the late 80's.
I paid child support of $1,776 a month and alimony of $580 a month for many years and never missed a payment. Not one. After several years, my 2 sons told me, their mother, and family court that they wanted to live with me. The court granted me physical custody from that day on. The next seven or eight years were the best times of my life. My ex-wife was court-ordered to pay $217 a month to me in child support for the same 2 sons. She bounced several checks. That was in the late 80's, early 90's. Today my sons Richard and Ben are my two best friends. We talk every day and Richard gave me three incredible grandsons. I have a cell phone full of pictures if anyone wants to see.
Happy Valentines everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, January 19, 2018 Report this