Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8252: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by exempting eligible students from nonresident tuition at public institutions, directly supporting education access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7481: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires health protocols for seizure medications in schools, directly protecting student safety and well-being in educational settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates policies for administering seizure rescue medications to students with epilepsy, improving access to healthcare services in schools for a specific medical condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2650: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands higher education access by exempting qualifying students from nonresident tuition at RI public colleges, directly advancing educational affordability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7003: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7003 requires Rhode Island's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to create a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics. The policy must define hazing, prohibit "consent" as a defense, and include clear consequences like team suspensions or season cancellations for violations. All student-athletes in RIIL schools must sign an acknowledgment form confirming they understand these penalties before participating in any athletic activities. The policy aims to ensure consistent, transparent discipline and integrate with existing school climate and anti-bullying efforts across all participating schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires statewide anti-hazing policy with strict consequences to protect student-athletes' health and safety in schools, advancing educational safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 8300: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $25M in bonds to fund school construction and renovation, directly increasing public service funding and infrastructure investment.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $25M in bonds to finance construction, renovation, and improvement of schools and school facilities, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8129: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Ends transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnds transaction fees for school lunches, improving access to meal programs and reducing financial barriers for students in K-12 education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 7027: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Expands the requirement that all high schools and middle schools, whether they are publicly or privately run to maintain on site a functional AED while establishing and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan in these schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans in all K-12 schools, enhancing student safety infrastructure per education policy standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HR 8430: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study how Rhode Island school districts can share services to address funding and operational challenges. The commission will consist of thirteen members, including legislators, state officials, education leaders, business representatives, and a student, who will meet without pay to investigate potential shared service models. State agencies are required to provide necessary information to the commission, which must submit its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by April 30, 2027, before the group expires.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a commission to study shared services to address funding challenges, implying a focus on fiscal efficiency and resource optimization.65% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to address funding and operational challenges by studying shared services, potentially strengthening school efficiency and resources.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8326: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

Provides that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared state of emergency be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects school days lost during emergencies, ensuring students aren't penalized for closures, maintaining educational access and continuity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7114: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7114 permits schools to assign special community service as a disciplinary measure for students who bully others based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This policy directly affects students who commit such bullying and school administrators implementing disciplinary actions. The key provision replaces traditional punishments (like suspension) with community service for these specific types of bullying incidents. The bill does not define bullying but offers an alternative consequence for violations targeting these protected characteristics. It is currently under review by the House Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides alternative disciplinary measure (community service) for bullying based on protected characteristics, promoting school safety and student well-being per its title and summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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