Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.
HB 7419 extends current teacher certifications for three or five years without fees or penalties for all teachers certified as of July 1, 2026. It waives all application fees and Praxis exam costs for new teacher certifications from July 2026 through June 2029 to support recruitment. The bill also requires the Rhode Island Department of Education to revise certification rules to create multiple pathways, including accepting non-traditional experience and competency demonstrations for credentialing. These changes aim to reduce barriers for teachers seeking initial or additional certifications while streamlining the process.
HB 7317, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs the Department of Human Services and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early childhood educators. It specifically requires maintaining the Child Care WAGE$ program with at least $1 million annually to provide salary supplements for educators in licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes, while also overseeing workforce development scholarships (T.E.A.C.H.) and registered apprenticeships. The bill directly affects early educators in Rhode Island’s licensed childcare and early learning programs, who currently earn an average of $16.74 per hour - among the lowest wages in the state. These provisions aim to improve retention and compensation by aligning early educator wages with K-12 standards through existing, research-backed programs.
Amends the current law on teacher’s creditable service so that a teacher who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year would be given credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 school days.
HB 7356 requires all school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to conduct comprehensive background checks for employees with regular student contact. The bill mandates applicants provide detailed employment history (last 20 years at schools or child-contact roles), written authorization for disclosure, and written statements about any past child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, disciplinary actions, or license suspensions. Employers must verify this information by contacting former employers and documenting findings, with penalties including up to $500 for false statements. This directly affects school employees and aims to enhance student safety through thorough employment history checks beyond standard criminal records.
SB 2369, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs state departments to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early educators in licensed child care and early learning programs. It specifically allocates at least $1 million annually to continue the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salary supplements based on education to help improve compensation and retention. The bill focuses on sustaining current workforce development initiatives like the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program and registered apprenticeships for early educators. This directly affects early educators (including infant/toddler caregivers) who currently earn low wages - averaging $16.74/hour in Rhode Island - by strengthening existing compensation support mechanisms.
HB 7054 establishes guidelines to expand and sustain public prekindergarten programs for all Rhode Island children aged 3 and 4. It requires the state to ensure at least 70% of these children enroll in high-quality programs through a mixed delivery system including public schools, Head Start, and licensed child care. The bill mandates research-based quality standards covering teacher qualifications, class sizes, curriculum, and support for children with special needs or who are learning English. It also requires competitive wages for prekindergarten teachers (comparable to K teachers) and directs 30% of new prekindergarten funding to expand infant and toddler care programs. The law directly affects children, early educators, and child care providers across Rhode Island.
SB 2212 automatically extends teaching licenses for 3 or 5 years without fees or penalties for all teachers certified as of July 1, 2026. It also waives all application and Praxis exam fees for new teacher certifications through June 30, 2029, to support recruitment. The bill requires the Rhode Island Department of Education to revise certification rules to create flexible pathways, including credit for work experience or competency demonstrations, for both initial and additional teaching credentials.
HB 7458 would create a state-funded program to help cover college tuition costs for students pursuing degrees in teaching fields that are currently in short supply, such as math, science, or special education. This program directly affects undergraduate students enrolled in approved teacher preparation programs at public or participating private colleges. The key provision is providing financial assistance to reduce tuition barriers for these future educators, aiming to increase the number of qualified teachers in high-need subject areas. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced on January 30, 2026.
