Education (Early Childhood)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7680: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

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

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill title explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief,' directly aligning with tax relief indicators for homeowners, supporting fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to free pre-K programs for 3-4 year olds, increasing educational access and equity as stated in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Early Childhood K-12 Education School Funding

Track

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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits unsafe seclusion practices in schools, mandating positive behavioral interventions to protect student safety and well-being in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Safety Student Health

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8163: 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 EducationExpands prekindergarten access for ages 3-4 to increase school readiness, directly advancing early education access and program implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 2081: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- POSTSECONDARY TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR SHORTAGE TEACHING FIELDS

SB 2081 creates a state-funded tuition assistance program for Rhode Island students pursuing teaching careers in critical shortage fields, specifically science and mathematics for grades 7-12. It provides financial support covering tuition and certain non-tuition costs (like transportation or childcare) at Rhode Island colleges, after other financial aid is applied. To qualify, students must enroll in a teaching program in these fields and agree to complete three years of full-time teaching in Rhode Island public or private schools. If recipients don't finish their degree or fulfill the teaching requirement, the assistance converts to a repayable loan.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded tuition assistance program increases state budget allocation for education, directly funding essential teaching workforce development per Budget & Taxes indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded tuition assistance for teaching in critical shortage fields (science/math), directly advancing educator recruitment and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7317: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACT

HB 7317, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs the Department of Human Services and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early childhood educators. It specifically requires maintaining the Child Care WAGE$ program with at least $1 million annually to provide salary supplements for educators in licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes, while also overseeing workforce development scholarships (T.E.A.C.H.) and registered apprenticeships. The bill directly affects early educators in Rhode Island’s licensed childcare and early learning programs, who currently earn an average of $16.74 per hour - among the lowest wages in the state. These provisions aim to improve retention and compensation by aligning early educator wages with K-12 standards through existing, research-backed programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds early educator salaries via WAGE$ program with $1M+ annual mandate, supporting workforce development and educator compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $1M+ annual funding for salary supplements to early educators via Child Care WAGE$ program, directly supporting wage increases for childcare workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers Workforce Development

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7343: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and childcare centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts harmful pesticides at schools and requires parent notices, promoting school health/safety. This protective measure directly supports educational environment by safeguarding student/staff well-being.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts pesticide/rodenticide use at schools, reducing chemical pollution and aligning with environmental protection goals through pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 2369: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACT

SB 2369, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs state departments to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early educators in licensed child care and early learning programs. It specifically allocates at least $1 million annually to continue the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salary supplements based on education to help improve compensation and retention. The bill focuses on sustaining current workforce development initiatives like the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program and registered apprenticeships for early educators. This directly affects early educators (including infant/toddler caregivers) who currently earn low wages - averaging $16.74/hour in Rhode Island - by strengthening existing compensation support mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M annually for early educator salary supplements via WAGE$ program, directly supporting compensation and retention in early education workforce.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $1M+ annually for WAGE$ salary supplements based on education to improve early educator compensation and retention, directly advancing employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Teachers Workforce Development

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7393: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDCARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

HB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded childcare assistance for low-income families, requiring DHS to cover costs - increases public service funding per bill's mandates.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands childcare access for low-income families, enabling parents to enroll in college/job training - directly supports educational access as defined in the topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands childcare assistance for low-income families to work, attend job training, or college, directly enabling workforce participation and supporting employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Workforce Development

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 7054: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

HB 7054 establishes guidelines to expand and sustain public prekindergarten programs for all Rhode Island children aged 3 and 4. It requires the state to ensure at least 70% of these children enroll in high-quality programs through a mixed delivery system including public schools, Head Start, and licensed child care. The bill mandates research-based quality standards covering teacher qualifications, class sizes, curriculum, and support for children with special needs or who are learning English. It also requires competitive wages for prekindergarten teachers (comparable to K teachers) and directs 30% of new prekindergarten funding to expand infant and toddler care programs. The law directly affects children, early educators, and child care providers across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for expanded preK programs through budget allocation, requiring 70% enrollment in quality public education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands pre-K access for all 3-4 year olds, mandates 70% enrollment in quality programs, and sets research-based standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications, and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood Teachers

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7420: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7420 updates how state education funding is calculated to address inequities, primarily affecting school districts with high numbers of students in poverty. It introduces a new formula that factors in a district's revenue capacity and poverty levels to determine state aid, with a poverty loss stabilization fund for districts seeing aid drops over 2%. The bill also creates specific state-funded programs for special education costs, career and technical education, pre-K access, and stabilization for districts like Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center. It requires the state to publish a report identifying unfunded district costs and share this with lawmakers and the public. These changes aim to adjust funding based on need while adding targeted support for specific educational programs and struggling districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief and establishes new state-funded education programs, directly supporting budget allocation for public services and tax reduction.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates education funding formula to address inequities in high-poverty districts, creates new state-funded programs for special education, career tech, and pre-K access, and establishes a poverty loss stabilization fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

Track