Sen. Frank Ciccone

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from the state treasury to Onward We Learn for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to support the Rhode Island GEAR UP program, which helps middle and high school students prepare for college and provides scholarships to cover postsecondary education costs. This money serves as the state's required matching contribution to a larger federal grant received by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. The resolution authorizes the state controller to issue payment orders to Onward We Learn once proper financial documentation is submitted.

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.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to remove a funding requirement from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It establishes specific funding categories for special education costs, career and technical education programs, pre-kindergarten access, and transportation expenses for students attending out-of-district non-public schools or within regional school districts. The legislation also creates stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center to address local capacity concerns and high school operating costs, while providing temporary bonuses to regionalized school districts. Additionally, it defines and provides state support for school resource officers who complete specialized training in school policing.

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

Requires any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the RI promise scholarship program or the RI hope scholarship program, after Rhode Island college has satisfied all eligible scholarships to be reimbursed to onward we learn.

Provides that a school district could elect and choose to not spend money on any mandate that is not fully funded through the state education aid formula.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 2026 as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" throughout Rhode Island to raise awareness about communication disorders affecting millions of Americans. The bill encourages state agencies, including the Departments of Human Services and Elementary and Secondary Education, to organize events and screenings that highlight the importance of hearing and speech health. It also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant department heads and the Rhode Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association to facilitate participation in the campaign.

Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes.

Commencing on 7/1/2026, allows members, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least 28 years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number 85.