Education

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 2934: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

Allows a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school teachers and provides a process for the dismissal and demotion of teachers. The reconstitution and control of the Providence public schools would terminate on June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes minimum salary schedule for teachers and provides termination process for school reconstitution, indicating support for educator compensation and school stability.85% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3077: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

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

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands pre-k programs for 3-4 year olds, indicating increased funding for education services and public programs75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to free pre-kindergarten programs for 3-4 year olds, directly enhancing early education access and quality.90% confidence

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

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2817: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX CREDITS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS

Includes individuals as contributors. Increases annual credit cap by percentage amount of unused credits. Increases the tax credit rate percentage. Establishes scholarships of $750,000 to disadvantaged students and $250,000 to pre-K students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax credits and establishes scholarship funding for disadvantaged and pre-K students, advancing education funding and providing tax relief.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credits for scholarship contributions and establishes scholarships for disadvantaged and pre-K students, expanding educational access and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Early Childhood School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8336: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PILOT PROGRAM ACT

Converts the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act into a continuing scholarship program at Rhode Island College, similar to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill converts scholarship pilot to continuing program, expanding educational access and funding for higher education at Rhode Island College90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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