Amends the school funding formula to ensure that local education authorities do not lose funding due to disruptions in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.
Ends transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform.
Establishes provisions for student and teacher classroom safety and provides the authority to remove students from classrooms. This act provides for student and educator protections from said removals.
Permits students diagnosed with asthma, a condition that may lead to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, or both, to carry and self-administer asthma medication or auto-injectable or intranasal epinephrine, or both.
Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.
Ends transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform.
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.
HB 7529 expands the definition of "teacher" to include school nurses, counselors, psychologists, principals, and superintendents, covering all public school staff. It establishes 19 specific rights for these educators, such as a safe workplace free from harassment, protection against being forced to pay for classroom supplies, access to necessary resources like technology, academic freedom, and fair evaluation processes (no more than every 3 years for "highly effective" teachers). The bill directly affects all public school staff covered under the expanded definition, ensuring they have clear, codified workplace protections. It clarifies existing expectations rather than creating new funding or mandates, focusing on defining and safeguarding professional rights within school environments.
Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.
