Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7665: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE-- DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

HB 7665 designates the month of September each year as "Rhode Island Senior Center Month" in the state's laws. This bill requires public observances of the month through appropriate exercises in public places, such as events or displays. It directly affects all Rhode Island residents by formally recognizing senior centers' role in community engagement. The bill has no funding provisions or policy changes - it is purely a ceremonial designation that takes effect upon passage.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7729: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7729 prohibits the unlawful use of designated seclusion rooms in Rhode Island public pre-K, elementary, and secondary schools, meaning students cannot be left alone in isolated rooms without freedom to leave. The bill specifically excludes physical prompts, restraints, and time-outs from this prohibition. School staff must follow positive behavioral interventions instead, and the education commissioner must handle complaints about violations through investigations and published procedures. This law directly affects all public school students, staff, and administrators in Rhode Island’s K-12 system.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7728: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

HB 7728 allows Rhode Island to issue emergency teaching certificates without requiring an exam for up to five total school years. It permits an initial one-year certificate, renewable annually up to four more years (for a total of five), for individuals needing to teach while completing certification requirements. This change modifies existing rules by extending the maximum duration for emergency certification under the state's teacher certification framework. The bill would apply directly to educators seeking temporary teaching authorization in urgent staffing situations. The bill was introduced to the House Education Committee on February 12, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7781: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- HOLIDAYS

HB 7781 changes the name of the second Monday in August from "Victory Day" to "Peace and Remembrance Day" in Rhode Island's state holiday schedule. This directly affects state employees and official state communications, as the holiday is listed in the General Laws governing state holiday observances. The bill amends the statutory holiday list to replace the existing name and repeals a prior provision prohibiting the use of any other name for this day. The change takes effect upon passage without altering the holiday's date or observance requirements.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7563: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW EFFICIENCY ACT

HB 7563, the Development Review Efficiency Act, allows property owners or their contractors to hire licensed architects, engineers, or building code administrators (called "independent providers") to review construction plans and perform building inspections instead of relying solely on local government staff. This directly affects developers, contractors, and property owners by potentially speeding up project approvals, as the bill requires local governments to reduce fees by the amount they save when using third-party reviews. Key safeguards include mandatory professional liability insurance ($1M-$4M coverage depending on project size), restrictions against providers having ownership stakes in projects, and a requirement that local governments issue occupancy certificates within 7 business days (or 3 days for single-family homes) after inspections are completed. The law aims to streamline development while maintaining safety standards through regulated third-party oversight.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7899: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' TENURE

HB 7899 requires school districts to report the names of non-licensed employees terminated for "good and just cause" to the Department of Education. This affects school districts that employ staff without teaching credentials, mandating they submit these termination records. The bill establishes a reporting requirement to the education department regarding such terminations.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7898: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires the installation and use of a weapons detection system at every public entrance to any school building, gymnasium, school event facility, sporting event site and any site where a school hosts or participates in an event even if off campus.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7897: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7904: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

HB 7904 would extend the maximum term of employment for school superintendents from three to five years. This change directly affects school superintendents and school boards, as it alters the standard term length for superintendent appointments. The key provision increases the maximum service period without reappointment, potentially allowing for longer leadership continuity. The bill is currently in the House Education committee after being introduced on February 27, 2026.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7905: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES -- QUALITY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION AND SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE THROUGH VOLUNTARY QUALITY RATING SYSTEM

HB 7905 establishes a voluntary quality rating system for early childhood education and school-age childcare programs operating in RIDE-certified school buildings. It sets specific quality standards that providers can meet to earn a rating, aiming to improve program quality through a structured, non-mandatory framework. The bill directly affects childcare providers in certified school settings by offering a pathway to recognition based on established criteria. This system encourages quality enhancements without imposing mandatory requirements on participating programs.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7908: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Requires BrightStars QRIS ratings for licensed child care facilities to be based on an average of all standards, ensure transparent scoring methods, and preserve automatic five-star ratings for nationally accredited programs.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7896: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Permits students diagnosed with asthma, a condition that may lead to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, or both, to carry and self-administer asthma medication or auto-injectable or intranasal epinephrine, or both.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

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