Education

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

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8355: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $300,000 to the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $300,000 to fund the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education, directly advancing budget allocation for educational programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $300,000 to fund the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education, directly increasing educational funding and supporting a specific educational institution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2821: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill focuses on education equity and property tax relief, directly addressing tax burden reduction for property owners while reviewing aid formulas to support high-need students.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates review of aid formula components for high need students, indicating intent to strengthen educational equity and support funding for vulnerable populations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2835: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- ADMINISTRATION

Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects teacher retirement benefits by adjusting calculation cutoff date, supporting educators' financial security75% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HR 8287: HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2026, TO BE "MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month" in Rhode Island to recognize the importance of music education in public schools. The resolution acknowledges the benefits of music programs for student engagement, creativity, and academic outcomes, particularly for at-risk students. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island Music Education Association to formally support music educators in the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates March 2026 as Music in Our Schools Month, recognizing music education benefits and directing support to music educators, explicitly advancing educational programs.90% confidence

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SR 3144: SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING "URI DAY" AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE ON MARCH 26, 2026

This Senate resolution officially designates March 26, 2026, as "URI Day" at the Rhode Island State House to honor the University of Rhode Island. The bill recognizes the university's achievements as a top public research institution and acknowledges its contributions to education, research, and economic development in the state. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the university president. The measure is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a policy change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors URI's contributions to education and research, recognizing its role in state educational development and economic growth.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 8229: AN ACT TO VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION

This bill allows the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Parent-Teacher Organization to regain its legal status if it files overdue annual reports and pays associated fees by December 31, 2026. The organization, which was previously facing charter forfeiture due to failure to submit required filings from 1983 through 2026, would be restored to full legal privileges upon completing these requirements. The legislation extends the deadline for submitting these reports and requires payment of both filing fees and a penalty amount determined by the attorney general. Once these conditions are met, the organization will be treated as if the charter revocation never occurred.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restores legal status to a parent-teacher organization, enabling continued community involvement in education75% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2783: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- MAYORAL ACADEMIES

This bill establishes rules for the governance of mayoral academies in Rhode Island, which are charter schools serving students from multiple cities and towns. It requires that only a mayor or town administrator from each participating community can serve as a voting member on the school's board of directors or trustees. The legislation also allows for nonvoting advisory members from each included town and mandates that student admission be determined by lottery when enrollment exceeds available spaces. Additionally, the bill ensures that no student or teacher is required to participate in these academies and that school districts must facilitate transfers for those who opt out.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes governance rules for mayoral academies, expanding educational access through charter schools serving multiple communities and ensuring student admission via lottery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 8222: HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "REACH OUT AND READ RHODE ISLAND DAY" ON MARCH 3, 2026 IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates March 3, 2026, as "Reach Out and Read Rhode Island Day" to honor the nonprofit organization that promotes early childhood literacy through shared reading. The resolution recognizes the program's work with pediatricians and family medicine providers to distribute free books to families with young children during medical visits. By officially commemorating this date, the state aims to raise public awareness about the importance of early literacy and acknowledge the organization's contributions to child development. The Secretary of State is authorized to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's executive director.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes early childhood literacy through shared reading, supporting educational access and foundational learning skills for young children.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill recognizes Reach Out and Read program that distributes free books during pediatric visits, supporting healthcare providers and early childhood health initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2787: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts charter school funding and approvals, limiting state appropriations for new charter schools starting in 2026-27.75% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts charter school creation and funding, limiting educational access and options for students and families85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice