AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- MILITARY CHILD ACT

This bill, the Military Child Act, creates new enrollment rules for military-connected students in Rhode Island public schools. It defines "military-connected student" as a dependent of active-duty U.S. military personnel or Rhode Island National Guard members. The law allows these students to enroll remotely without physical presence using military orders, and permits "open enrollment" into any school district regardless of capacity if they provide a Department of Defense ID and proof of active duty orders for 30+ days. These provisions aim to reduce disruption during military relocations by simplifying school transfers.