Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7731: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school security through mandated safety assessments and emergency committees, directly protecting students in educational settings per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8603: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

HB 8603 amends Rhode Island driver education laws to exempt individuals in foster or adoptive homes from paying tuition fees for driver's education classes at the Community College of Rhode Island. This financial relief is funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families and applies specifically to eligible youth receiving foster caregiving as defined by state regulations. The bill does not alter the existing curriculum, which includes instruction on alcohol and drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana impairment, but rather removes the cost barrier for this specific group of students. By waiving enrollment fees, the legislation aims to ensure that foster and adoptive youth have equal access to the required thirty-three hours of classroom instruction needed to obtain a driver's license.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes tuition barriers for foster youth driver education, expanding access to essential training and providing financial relief.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 2495: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

This bill requires Rhode Island's state education department and high school sports league to create a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics. It mandates clear definitions of hazing, zero-tolerance sanctions (including team suspensions or season cancellations), and education components to prevent hazing. All schools in the state participating in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League must follow this policy, which also requires student-athletes to sign an acknowledgment of the rules before joining teams. The policy explicitly states that consent is never a defense for hazing and ensures consistent discipline across all schools. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates anti-hazing policy for student athletics, enhancing school safety and student welfare within education context90% 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 · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2139: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits federal school voucher tax credit participation without legislative approval, restricting tax incentives for private education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill blocks state participation in federal voucher program without legislative/governor approval, preventing potential diversion of public school funds to private options and protecting public school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7163: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits federal school voucher tax credit participation, restricting a tax incentive program which aligns with 'oppose' criteria of limiting tax breaks.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents diversion of public school funds to private voucher programs without legislative approval, protecting public education funding stability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2182: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

SB 2182 removes the fee for drivers education classes at Rhode Island's community colleges for youth living in foster or adoptive homes. This directly affects young people in these care settings who would otherwise pay the standard fee to complete required driver's education. The bill's key provision exempts these individuals from the fee requirement, making the program more accessible. This change reduces a financial barrier to obtaining driver's education, which is a prerequisite for a driver's license in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves fees for foster/adoptive youth to access driver's education, expanding educational access for vulnerable students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education