Education

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8462: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by requiring transition planning for students with 504 plans, aligning them with IEP students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8389: 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 a $5M appropriation to fund the creation of a medical school, directly increasing government spending on public education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a medical school and provides initial funding, expanding higher education access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $5M to establish a medical school, directly increasing healthcare workforce capacity and funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 8488: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $41,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, ADDITIONS, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN

Authorizes the Town of Portsmouth to issue bonds and notes in amount not exceeding $41,000,000 to finance construction, additions, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities throughout the town.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $41M in bonds to fund school construction and improvements, directly increasing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $41M in bonds to fund construction, renovation, and equipping of schools, directly improving educational infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 8300: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $25M in bonds to fund school construction and renovation, directly increasing public service funding and infrastructure investment.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $25M in bonds to finance construction, renovation, and improvement of schools and school facilities, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 3100: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reinstates cost of living adjustments for retired teachers and state employees, representing increased funding for public services and retirement benefits.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reinstates cost of living adjustments for teachers' retirement, directly supporting educators and protecting their financial benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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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

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2026

HB 8362: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM -- FOSTER CARE YOUTH ACADEMIC REPORTS

Expands foster care academic youth reports to include information regarding 504 eligibility, graduation progress and surrogate parents. The act would require implementation of additional strategies to improve performance and additional progress reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands academic reports for foster care youth, improving educational access and support for vulnerable students through enhanced progress tracking and surrogate parent involvement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2826: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that in local education agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for low-income families by adjusting education funding based on poverty levels, supporting fiscal equity and protecting essential education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases funding for low-income schools by adjusting student success factor, expanding educational access and resources for disadvantaged students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 2791: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

This bill requires Rhode Island schools to create and implement plans providing academic accommodations for students diagnosed with concussions or other brain injuries. It mandates that coaches and school staff complete annual concussion training, requires immediate removal of athletes suspected of concussions from play, and establishes a process for developing temporary academic and physical activity limitations to support student recovery. The legislation also directs the Department of Education to create a form outlining optional, nonmedical accommodations and ensures that affected students receive support within ten school days of notification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates concussion training for staff and creates academic accommodations for injured students, protecting student health and educational access.95% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HR 8263: HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026 AS “ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS MONTH” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates March 2026 as "Arts in the Schools Month" in Rhode Island to recognize and celebrate the importance of arts education in schools. It directly affects students, arts educators, artists, and school administrators by encouraging the state to acknowledge their contributions to student engagement and learning. The resolution highlights how arts education supports skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and cultural competency while referencing existing state frameworks and grant programs that promote arts instruction. The House of Representatives passed this symbolic measure to urge citizens to observe the month and appreciate the efforts of those working to provide arts access to young people.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates March 2026 as 'Arts in the Schools Month' to recognize and celebrate arts education, supporting student engagement and learning through arts programs.85% confidence

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