Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.
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.
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.
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.
This bill allows children in Rhode Island with developmental disabilities to continue receiving early intervention services until September 1 if their third birthday falls between May 1 and August 31, addressing a current service gap before they transition to preschool programs. The legislation requires the state's Department of Human Services to create a plan by July 1, 2026, to implement this extension while seeking necessary federal approvals, with full implementation expected by January 1, 2028. By extending services beyond the traditional cutoff date, the bill aims to ensure uninterrupted support for children during their transition from early intervention to early childhood special education services.
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.
This bill establishes a new fund within the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support bilingual education programs in public schools. The primary mechanism is a grant program that provides financial assistance to school districts, community organizations, and universities for planning and implementing dual language instruction models, particularly in areas with high numbers of multilingual learners. Additionally, the legislation creates a strategy to increase the number of certified bilingual teachers by streamlining certification processes and funding professional development. Eligible recipients must adhere to specific high-quality standards and focus on developing curricula and staffing plans that serve students in both English and their home languages.
SB 2667, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," would expand eligibility for Rhode Island's state childcare assistance program to align with federal standards. This change would directly affect low-income working families who currently may not qualify for state childcare subsidies under current rules. The key mechanism is adjusting the state's income and asset thresholds to match the federal benchmark, potentially allowing more families to access subsidized childcare. The bill aims to increase access to affordable childcare for working parents without adding new state costs.
Ensures any public school with available seats, after completion of the initial enrollment period for students, shall make all open seats available to other students residing within the same school district.
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.
