Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8603: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

HB 8603 amends Rhode Island driver education laws to exempt individuals in foster or adoptive homes from paying tuition fees for driver's education classes at the Community College of Rhode Island. This financial relief is funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families and applies specifically to eligible youth receiving foster caregiving as defined by state regulations. The bill does not alter the existing curriculum, which includes instruction on alcohol and drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana impairment, but rather removes the cost barrier for this specific group of students. By waiving enrollment fees, the legislation aims to ensure that foster and adoptive youth have equal access to the required thirty-three hours of classroom instruction needed to obtain a driver's license.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes tuition barriers for foster youth driver education, expanding access to essential training and providing financial relief.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7481: 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 health protocols for seizure medications in schools, directly protecting student safety and well-being in educational settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates policies for administering seizure rescue medications to students with epilepsy, improving access to healthcare services in schools for a specific medical condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2495: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

This bill requires Rhode Island's state education department and high school sports league to create a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics. It mandates clear definitions of hazing, zero-tolerance sanctions (including team suspensions or season cancellations), and education components to prevent hazing. All schools in the state participating in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League must follow this policy, which also requires student-athletes to sign an acknowledgment of the rules before joining teams. The policy explicitly states that consent is never a defense for hazing and ensures consistent discipline across all schools. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates anti-hazing policy for student athletics, enhancing school safety and student welfare within education context90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7003: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7003 requires Rhode Island's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to create a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics. The policy must define hazing, prohibit "consent" as a defense, and include clear consequences like team suspensions or season cancellations for violations. All student-athletes in RIIL schools must sign an acknowledgment form confirming they understand these penalties before participating in any athletic activities. The policy aims to ensure consistent, transparent discipline and integrate with existing school climate and anti-bullying efforts across all participating schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires statewide anti-hazing policy with strict consequences to protect student-athletes' health and safety in schools, advancing educational safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 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 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

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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

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