SB 179 Rhode Island Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES TEACHERS GENERALLY -- SEPTEMBER 11 CLASSROOM MOMENT OF SILENCE

SB 179 allows public school teachers and administrators in all grades to offer students a brief moment of silence each September 11 to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. It directly affects public school students and staff by providing an optional, non-religious observance opportunity. The bill requires no new funding or major policy shifts - it simply permits schools to facilitate this moment when they choose. This is a procedural measure focused on remembrance, not a substantive change to education policy.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Jul 2, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jun 18, 2025

How they voted

350
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Jun 18, 2025
D Democratic32
31 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican4
4 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Jul 2, 2025
Signed into law
07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
06/20/2025 House passed Sub A in concurrence
lower
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
06/18/2025 Senate passed Sub A
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Legislature · Passed
06/17/2025 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
legislature
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
04/09/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 7, 2025
Introduced
02/07/2025 Introduced, referred to Senate Education
upper
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors