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4/11/2024
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House approves Rep. Casimiro’s bill allowing students to help with IEP physical education classes
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 STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation (2024-H 7561) sponsored by Rep. Julie A. Casimiro that allows cities and towns to authorize “partner” programs to assist students with an individualized education plan (IEP) for specially designed physical education classes. “Partner” means any student who enrolls in a specially designed physical education class which is part of another student’s IEP to aid the student.
Representative Casimiro introduced the legislation on behalf of Ryan Lukowicz, a constituent and senior at North Kingstown High School, who takes part in an Adaptive Physical Education (APE) class due to his total blindness. Ryan described to Representative Casimiro how “partners” are difficult to come by due to students’ own physical education credit requirements. The legislation would allow “partners” to receive physical education credits for helping another student during their APE.
“Ryan has been an inspiration to me for many years, including when he recently served as the House of Representatives’ first blind student page for two years. When he approached me regarding this legislation, which he came up with for his senior project, I immediately knew that the bill would not only help Ryan, but numerous other students across the state with IEPs and APEs. This is a great piece of legislation that will be inclusive for all students and foster compassion, community and partnership among students from all walks of life,” said Representative Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter).
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) has introduced the legislation (2024-S 2280).
Photo: From the left: Steve Lukowicz, Ryan’s father, Ryan Lukowicz and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro on the House floor.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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