Education (Higher Education)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7052: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship eligibility, increasing appropriations for education programs without tax implications.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access to workforce certificate programs, increasing educational opportunities for community college students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7393: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDCARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

HB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded childcare assistance for low-income families, requiring DHS to cover costs - increases public service funding per bill's mandates.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands childcare access for low-income families, enabling parents to enroll in college/job training - directly supports educational access as defined in the topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands childcare assistance for low-income families to work, attend job training, or college, directly enabling workforce participation and supporting employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Workforce Development

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2366: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2366 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to modify how tuition savings program contributions are treated for tax purposes. It allows taxpayers to subtract up to $500 ($1,000 for joint returns) annually from federal adjusted gross income for contributions made to Rhode Island's tuition savings program, with specific restrictions on what qualifies as a deductible contribution. This affects residents using the tuition savings program who claim tax deductions for contributions. The bill also clarifies rules for nonqualified withdrawals from these accounts and their tax treatment. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for tuition savings contributions, offering tax relief to residents and modifying tax treatment per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows tax deductions for tuition savings program contributions, increasing accessibility to higher education funding through tax incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7158: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS

Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester would be eligible for the same medical benefits as other state employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides medical benefits to adjunct faculty at state colleges, supporting higher education educators' welfare and retention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical benefits to adjunct faculty, expanding coverage under state employee healthcare program per bill's eligibility provision.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends medical benefits to adjunct faculty meeting teaching hours threshold, strengthening worker benefits and aligning with full-time employee coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2026: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2026 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to allow residents to subtract contributions to the state's tuition savings program from their federal adjusted gross income. This deduction is capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers, and only applies to contributions made directly by the account participant. The bill specifically excludes transfers, rollovers, or changes of beneficiary from counting toward this deduction. It directly affects Rhode Island residents who contribute to the state's tuition savings program (Section 16-57-6.1), providing a limited tax benefit for education savings. The policy change would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via personal income tax deduction for tuition savings contributions, reducing taxable income for eligible residents.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax deduction for tuition savings program contributions, supporting higher education affordability and access by incentivizing college savings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7418: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY

HB 7418 would establish medical and dental schools at the University of Rhode Island, authorizing the conferral of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. The bill requires the schools to seek accreditation from medical (LCME) and dental (CODA) bodies and mandates clinical training partnerships with hospitals and health centers. It also allows the university to retain revenue from faculty practice plans to support educational, clinical, and research activities. The legislation directly affects Rhode Island residents by aiming to expand healthcare workforce capacity and improve access to care, particularly for underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new medical/dental schools at URI, authorizing degrees and requiring accreditation; allows revenue retention to support education, advancing higher education access and quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates medical/dental schools to train healthcare professionals, directly advancing workforce development for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Healthcare Workforce

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2293: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S SPORTS ACT

SB 2293, the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," requires public schools and colleges to designate athletic teams for students based on biological sex at birth (not gender identity), with teams for females, women, or girls open only to students assigned female at birth. It mandates verification of biological sex through a physician's statement documenting reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup, and prohibits male-identified students from joining female-designated teams. The bill protects schools from complaints or investigations for maintaining separate sex-based teams and allows students to sue if denied athletic opportunities due to violations. This directly affects public school athletic programs, college sports teams, and transgender student-athletes in the state.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts access to women's sports teams in schools, limiting educational access for transgender students through biological sex requirements rather than gender identity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2093: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for community college workforce programs, increasing educational funding and access for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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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

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7458: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- POSTSECONDARY TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR SHORTAGE TEACHING FIELDS

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded tuition assistance directly allocates budget resources to support teacher recruitment in shortage fields, aligning with funding essential public education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded tuition assistance for future teachers in shortage fields (math, science, special ed), directly reducing financial barriers and increasing educator supply in critical areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

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