Education (K-12 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

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SR 2679: JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE STATE TO ENTER INTO A FINANCING AGREEMENT RELATING TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO FINANCE RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS TO SAMUEL SLATER MIDDLE SCHOOL FACILITIES, OR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL FACILITIES AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENT THERETO INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF DESIGN, DEMOLITION, ATHLETIC FIELDS, LANDSCAPING AND PARKING BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $22,500,000 CITY BONDS, CITY NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

SR 2679 authorizes the City of Pawtucket to issue up to $22.5 million in bonds, notes, or other debt instruments to fund renovations, repairs, or construction of Samuel Slater Middle School facilities or a new middle school. This includes costs for design, demolition, athletic fields, landscaping, and parking. The bill directly affects Pawtucket's public school system by providing a financing mechanism for school infrastructure improvements. It is a procedural authorization, not a substantive policy change, and remains pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $22.5M in bonds for school facility renovations/construction, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2452: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

SB 2452 allocates $100,000 in the 2026-2027 budget to support mental health and emotional well-being for children in out-of-school time (OST) programs serving K-12 students across Rhode Island. The bill provides funds for staff training in trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, culturally responsive materials, and wellness-focused activities within community-based after-school and summer programs. Eligible programs must use funds flexibly to address local needs while prioritizing high-need communities and geographic diversity. The Rhode Island Afterschool Network will administer the grants through a competitive process and submit annual reports on program reach and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from 2026-2027 budget to fund mental health services in after-school programs, directly advancing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100k for mental health support in K-12 after-school programs, enhancing student well-being and access to educational resources through trauma-informed training and culturally responsive materials.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100k for mental health services in after-school programs, funding trauma-informed training and wellness activities to improve youth mental health access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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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

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2528: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

SB 2528 would repeal Rhode Island's requirement for statewide academic standards in core subjects like math, English, science, and history for all public schools. It removes legal mandates that previously directed the education commissioner to develop these standards and create curriculum frameworks aligned with specific goals, including cultural diversity and college readiness. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools in Rhode Island by eliminating these state-level curriculum requirements. (Note: The bill was introduced on February 13, 2026, and has not yet been enacted.)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals statewide curriculum standards and removes mandates for diversity/career readiness frameworks in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7501: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

HB 7501 allocates $100,000 in the 2026-2027 budget to support mental health and emotional well-being for K-12 students in out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as after-school and summer programs. It provides funding for staff training in trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, mental health resources, and culturally responsive activities designed by local communities. The funds will be distributed competitively through Rhode Island’s Afterschool Network to prioritize programs serving high-need youth across urban, suburban, and rural areas. This policy directly affects community-based OST programs and their staff, enabling flexible support for youth mental health needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from state budget to fund mental health services in K-12 OST programs, advancing public service funding through fiscal appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100,000 for K-12 mental health in OST programs, funding staff training and culturally responsive activities to enhance student well-being and program quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100,000 for mental health services in K-12 after-school programs, funding trauma-informed training and peer support resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7456: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M in FY2025 budget for school social workers, increasing public service funding per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for social worker hiring with 1:250 student ratio mandate, directly enhancing K-12 student support services and funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school social workers for mental health services, directly advancing student mental health care access per bill's allocation and mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $2M to hire school social workers, directly funding employment positions in education sector per mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding Student Health

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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

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2016: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Adds "media literacy" to the standards currently taught in civic education for K-12, which are the history of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship and the principles of democracy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds media literacy to K-12 civic curriculum standards, enhancing educational content without funding changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 2210: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT

Requires every elementary and secondary school within the State of Rhode Island to provide and maintain clearly visible and easily accessible trauma kits within the school. It also provides immunity if assistance is rendered.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates trauma kits for student mental health support in schools, enhancing safety and protective measures within K-12 education environment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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