Twin Legislation Bill for the State of Rhode Island

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We, the undersigned, petition the Rhode Island State Senators and Representatives to pass legislation in the state of Rhode Island similar to that of Minnesota's "Twin Bill". It was sponsored by Minnesota Senator Dennis Frederickson and signed into law by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty on May 5, 2005 and gives the parents/guardians of multiple birth children the ability to decide whether to separate them into different classrooms. Georgia and Texas recently passed similar legislation while Illinois and the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed resolutions that recommend school districts take into account parents requests. We believe that arbitrarily separating all twins and higher order multiples based solely upon their multiplicity and the past practices of principals and/or The Department of Education is discriminatory and therefore unacceptable. Multiplicity is a birthright and the decision to separate or keep the children together within the classroom should be made on a case-by-case basis, based upon the childrens individual needs.

Renowned twins researchers Dr. Nancy Segal, Dr. John Mascazine and the International Society for Twin Studies as well as support groups like the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs all advocate a flexible classroom placement policy. We also believe that parents/guardians of multiples should have the primary voice in any classroom placement decision made for their children, as they know best their individual psychological, emotional and social needs. With the increase of multiple birth children continuing to rise, this is an issue that will only gain more exposure and validity. We ask that Rhode Island introduce and pass legislation to reflect these parental rights and be among these early states in protecting equality for multiple birth children and their parents.

209 Signatures

  • Joann Cardoso
  • Kathy Dolan
    • Comments
    • proud mom of twin boys. Parents should determine whether to keep their children together in the classroom or to separate them. We absolutely know our childrens needs best!
  • Victor Caracciola
    • Comments
    • proud dad of Twin Boys who deserve to be placed in classrooms according to their individual needs!!!
  • Shirley Shaw
  • Marion Vickers
  • Lisa Pepler
  • Alexandra Fiore
  • Kimberly Ortiz
  • Kathleen Maples
  • Alicia J Rochefort
  • Melanie Vargas
  • Rachel DiDino
    • Comments
    • mom of 6yr old twin boys ...thank you !
  • Kelly Petrangelo
    • Comments
    • As a mother of triplets myself, I strongly believe in this bill and feel it is a parents right to make this decision on behalf of their children.
  • Joanne Feley
  • Maria Succi
  • Mark Cole
  • Cara Cormier
    • Comments
    • В
  • Deb
  • Jennifer Sullivan
    • Comments
    • I am 34 and have a twin brother and we were forced to be separated, which can be traumatic for some young children. I strongly believe in this bill and it should be up to the parent's that know their children the best.
  • Nancy Sedgley
  • April Tanguay
  • Terry Seagrave
  • Sheila Hanna
  • Gerri Beagle
  • Linette Perry
  • Patricia A. Whitman
  • Ann-Marie De Geeter
  • Lynne C. Belisle
    • Comments
    • It should be up to the PARENTS!!!!
  • Lynda Tillinghast
  • Mary L Addison
  • Tracy Wasilewski M.Ed.
    • Comments
    • Teacher/Mom of twins
  • Tammy Mendes
  • Anna Rampone
  • Kristen Riley
  • laurie pasquel
    • Comments
    • I do think myself as a parent that I should have the right to keep my kids together.
  • lee parker
  • Sandy Vaudrain
  • Loretta Winde
  • philip l bianco
    • Comments
    • i believe its should be up to the parents. who wants total strangers and politicians deciding whats best for other peoples children
  • Amy Pappas
  • Michelle Jalette
  • virginia bianco
  • Jeffrey Bianco
  • Louis Bianco
  • Kristen Landry
  • kim gallman
  • Barbara Gesualdi
  • Stephanie DiBenedetto
  • Susan Chaiken
  • Ed Allard
    • Comments
    • Parents should know best