Education

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2093: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for community college workforce programs, increasing educational funding and access for students.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2101: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SB 2101 establishes Rhode Island's Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address provider shortages. It provides up to five $70,000 annual scholarships per year for medical students and five $47,000 annual scholarships for nurse practitioner or physician assistant students. Recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island primary care for a period matching their scholarship duration (4 years for med students, 2 years for NPs/PAs) and sign a promissory note for funds received. The program, administered by the Department of Health and Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, aims to recruit and retain primary care providers to meet the state's growing healthcare needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides scholarships for medical students and allied health students, directly funding higher education in a specific field to address healthcare workforce shortages, aligning with education funding support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes scholarships to address primary care shortages, funding education for providers to improve access and address workforce gaps.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SR 2789: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER HEALTHCARE PLAN

Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, directly supporting educators by addressing their health benefits and well-being.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, indicating intent to expand health coverage for educators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, which would expand worker benefits and improve healthcare access for teachers.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3077: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – years olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands pre-k programs for 3-4 year olds, indicating increased funding for education services and public programs75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to free pre-kindergarten programs for 3-4 year olds, directly enhancing early education access and quality.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3011: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- POST-SECONDARY STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN ACT

Prohibits public and private colleges and universities from charging students for institution provided health insurance in the absence of affirmative action by the student opting-in to coverage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reduces financial burden on students by making health insurance optional, improving access to higher education and reducing costs for post-secondary education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3147: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

Establishes guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes guidelines for expanding prekindergarten education programs for ages 3-4, increasing school readiness statewide.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 3064: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Establishes the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provides an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $5M appropriation for medical school development, directly funding a public service and expanding educational infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $5M to establish a medical school at University of Rhode Island, expanding higher education access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical school and provides $5M initial funding to expand healthcare workforce and services90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 3214: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

This bill creates a new seven-member board of trustees to govern the Central Falls School District, replacing the current special state administrator and advisory group. The board members will be appointed by the state Board of Regents, with at least four required to be local residents and parents of current or former students in the district. Under this structure, the state commissioner of education retains significant oversight, including the power to intervene in school management if deemed necessary, while the new board handles policy-making, budget approval, and superintendent appointments. Additionally, the legislation amends state funding rules to provide direct state support for high-cost special education students and career and technical education programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restores local governance by creating a board of trustees with parent representation, aiming to improve school district management and oversight.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2212: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

SB 2212 automatically extends teaching licenses for 3 or 5 years without fees or penalties for all teachers certified as of July 1, 2026. It also waives all application and Praxis exam fees for new teacher certifications through June 30, 2029, to support recruitment. The bill requires the Rhode Island Department of Education to revise certification rules to create flexible pathways, including credit for work experience or competency demonstrations, for both initial and additional teaching credentials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAutomatically extends licenses, waives certification fees, and creates flexible pathways to support teacher recruitment and retention in education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2208: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

SB 2208 establishes a board of trustees to govern the urban collaborative, which includes Providence and other participating Rhode Island school districts. The board will be appointed by member districts (one member plus one additional for every 30 students attending the collaborative), and it will manage collaborative programs for students needing alternative education services. The bill ensures the collaborative receives state education funding directly and prevents Providence from being removed from the collaborative without its school board's approval during state oversight of Providence schools. It also clarifies that the collaborative qualifies for all state and federal education funding as a school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates governance for alternative education services and ensures direct state funding, advancing educational access and program management for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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