Education

passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 8359: HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING "URI DAY" AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE ON MARCH 26, 2026

This resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "URI Day" at the Rhode Island State House to honor the University of Rhode Island. It formally recognizes the university's contributions to education, research, and economic development in the state. The House of Representatives will celebrate this day and send a certified copy of the resolution to the university president. The measure does not require funding or create new laws, serving as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the institution's achievements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors University of Rhode Island's contributions to education and research, providing ceremonial recognition of higher education institution's achievements.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2834: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY INTERVENTION EXTENSION--BRIDGE TO PRESCHOOL

This bill allows children in Rhode Island with developmental disabilities to continue receiving early intervention services until September 1 if their third birthday falls between May 1 and August 31, addressing a current service gap before they transition to preschool programs. The legislation requires the state's Department of Human Services to create a plan by July 1, 2026, to implement this extension while seeking necessary federal approvals, with full implementation expected by January 1, 2028. By extending services beyond the traditional cutoff date, the bill aims to ensure uninterrupted support for children during their transition from early intervention to early childhood special education services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill extends early intervention services for children with disabilities, improving educational access and support before preschool transition.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2551: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

SB 2551 revises how the state calculates education funding for school districts, using a new formula that considers both a district's revenue capacity and the percentage of students in poverty (specifically for districts with over 50% poverty). It creates a "poverty loss stabilization fund" to support districts experiencing a significant drop (more than 2%) in their state funding share, and requires the state to publish an annual report identifying unfunded district costs. The bill also allocates new state funds for special education, career and technical education programs, pre-kindergarten access, and specific stabilization support for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center school districts. Additionally, it provides direct state funding for transportation costs for students attending non-public schools and within regional school districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief' in title and creates stabilization fund to protect education funding from significant drops, aligning with tax relief and funding protection indicators.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises funding formula to prioritize high-poverty districts, creates poverty loss stabilization fund for funding drops, requires annual reporting on unfunded costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding Special Education

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7909: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND LITERACY AND DROPOUT PREVENTION ACT

Redefines dyslexia to mean a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedefines dyslexia to improve student identification and support, advancing literacy and dropout prevention in education policy.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7892: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Requires the development of a comprehensive collaborative course that provides students with accurate information and instruction on risks of wildfires while creating action plan to mitigate loss in case of a wildfire in all K-12 schools within the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates wildfire curriculum in K-12 schools, enhancing educational content on safety and preparedness per bill's explicit requirement for all K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 8166: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes universal school breakfast/lunch program in RI public schools, directly funding student nutrition access and enhancing school meal programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2433: 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

SB 2433 establishes a presumption that school-age child care programs operating within RIDE-certified school buildings (public, charter, or approved non-public K-12 schools) automatically meet facility-based quality rating requirements. This means physical space features like room layout, furnishings, and storage - typically assessed under tools like SACERS - will be treated as compliant or neutral in quality ratings, without lowering a program’s score. The bill does not alter existing licensing, health, safety, or enforcement standards; it only streamlines the rating process for programs in certified school buildings. This change applies to all school-age child care programs licensed under Title 42, Chapter 12.5.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines quality rating for school-based child care, removing facility barriers to support educational access and infrastructure in K-12 settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7527: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- EDUCATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT

Requires that student mentors in public schools be certified support educators, ensuring mentors have professional training, established student relationships, and access to skills and information needed to support student success.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates certified mentors with training to enhance student support, strengthening program quality and effectiveness per bill's requirements.95% confidence

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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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school safety plans for first responder access, protecting student safety within educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7681: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7681, the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, provides direct state funding for specific education costs to support school districts. It covers special education expenses exceeding 4x the base funding, career and technical education program costs (including facilities and equipment), and transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools due to financial challenges, and requires the state to fully fund transportation categorical funds for regional school districts starting in fiscal year 2027. Regionalized school districts like Chariho will receive a temporary two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) to encourage regional collaboration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides property tax relief through state funding for education costs, reducing local tax burdens for school districts and residents.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct state funding for special education, CTE programs, and school stabilization, advancing educational access and equity as specified in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding Special Education

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