Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2182: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

SB 2182 removes the fee for drivers education classes at Rhode Island's community colleges for youth living in foster or adoptive homes. This directly affects young people in these care settings who would otherwise pay the standard fee to complete required driver's education. The bill's key provision exempts these individuals from the fee requirement, making the program more accessible. This change reduces a financial barrier to obtaining driver's education, which is a prerequisite for a driver's license in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves fees for foster/adoptive youth to access driver's education, expanding educational access for vulnerable students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2350: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school health policies for seizure medication access, directly enhancing student safety and well-being in K-12 settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires policies for administering seizure rescue meds to students with epilepsy, directly improving access to critical healthcare services in schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7415: 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 & TaxesBars state from appropriating funds to new charter schools, restricting budget allocation for expansion per bill's explicit language on funding restrictions.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly restricts new charter school approvals and defunds expansion, limiting educational options and access per charter school provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 8300: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $25M in bonds to fund school construction and renovation, directly increasing public service funding and infrastructure investment.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $25M in bonds to finance construction, renovation, and improvement of schools and school facilities, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8129: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnds transaction fees for school lunches, improving access to meal programs and reducing financial barriers for students in K-12 education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 7027: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Expands the requirement that all high schools and middle schools, whether they are publicly or privately run to maintain on site a functional AED while establishing and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan in these schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans in all K-12 schools, enhancing student safety infrastructure per education policy standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HR 8430: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study how Rhode Island school districts can share services to address funding and operational challenges. The commission will consist of thirteen members, including legislators, state officials, education leaders, business representatives, and a student, who will meet without pay to investigate potential shared service models. State agencies are required to provide necessary information to the commission, which must submit its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by April 30, 2027, before the group expires.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a commission to study shared services to address funding challenges, implying a focus on fiscal efficiency and resource optimization.65% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to address funding and operational challenges by studying shared services, potentially strengthening school efficiency and resources.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8326: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

Provides that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared state of emergency be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects school days lost during emergencies, ensuring students aren't penalized for closures, maintaining educational access and continuity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7114: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7114 permits schools to assign special community service as a disciplinary measure for students who bully others based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This policy directly affects students who commit such bullying and school administrators implementing disciplinary actions. The key provision replaces traditional punishments (like suspension) with community service for these specific types of bullying incidents. The bill does not define bullying but offers an alternative consequence for violations targeting these protected characteristics. It is currently under review by the House Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides alternative disciplinary measure (community service) for bullying based on protected characteristics, promoting school safety and student well-being per its title and summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2026

HB 8362: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM -- FOSTER CARE YOUTH ACADEMIC REPORTS

Expands foster care academic youth reports to include information regarding 504 eligibility, graduation progress and surrogate parents. The act would require implementation of additional strategies to improve performance and additional progress reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands academic reports for foster care youth, improving educational access and support for vulnerable students through enhanced progress tracking and surrogate parent involvement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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