§ 42-5.1-1. Policy.
(a) Diverse ethnic and linguistic communities have contributed to the social and economic
prosperity of Rhode Island.
(b) It is the welcomed responsibility and opportunity of Rhode Island to respect and facilitate
the efforts of all cultural, ethnic, and linguistic segments of the population to
become full participants in Rhode Island communities.
(c) This state's economic well-being depends on foreign trade and international exchange
and many jobs are directly linked to foreign trade and international exchange.
(d) If Rhode Island is to prosper in foreign trade and international exchange, it must
have citizens that are multilingual and multicultural.
(e) While recognizing the value of a multilingual background, the state also encourages
all citizens to become proficient in English to facilitate full participation of all
groups in society and to promote cross-communication that currently exists in this
state should be promoted to build trust and understanding among all of its citizens.
(f) It shall be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to welcome and encourage the presence
of diverse cultures and the use of diverse languages in business, government, and
private affairs in this state.
(g) The immigration of Hispanics, Portuguese, Southeast Asian, and other non-English speaking
peoples to Rhode Island continues; and English is already the predominant language
of Rhode Island and needs no legislation to support it.
(h) English is and will remain the primary language of the United States, and all members
of our society recognize the importance of English to national life, individual accomplishment,
and personal enrichment.
(i) The ability to communicate in English and other languages has promoted and can further
enhance American economic, political, and cultural vitality.
(j) The state both affirms the right of every resident to nurture the resident's native
language and also encourages all citizens to become proficient in English to facilitate
full participation in society and promote cross-cultural communication.
(k) Native language instruction facilitates the development of English proficiency in
limited English-proficient children and boosts the overall academic achievement of
such children.
(l) Proficiency in a second or multiple languages can be a major tool for economic growth
for our state and help overcome this country's disadvantage in the world economy as
we move into the twenty-first century.