Education (School Choice)

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2784: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Provides that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school creates a network charter school.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts charter school expansion and network formation, limiting educational access and school choice options85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2787: 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 & TaxesBill restricts charter school funding and approvals, limiting state appropriations for new charter schools starting in 2026-27.75% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts charter school creation and funding, limiting educational access and options for students and families85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2817: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX CREDITS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS

Includes individuals as contributors. Increases annual credit cap by percentage amount of unused credits. Increases the tax credit rate percentage. Establishes scholarships of $750,000 to disadvantaged students and $250,000 to pre-K students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax credits and establishes scholarship funding for disadvantaged and pre-K students, advancing education funding and providing tax relief.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credits for scholarship contributions and establishes scholarships for disadvantaged and pre-K students, expanding educational access and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Early Childhood School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2807: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PILOT PROGRAM ACT

Removes the sunset provision of the Rhode Island hope pilot scholarship program, making it a permanent scholarship program and renames the program as the Rhode Island hope scholarship program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill makes scholarship program permanent, expanding educational access and financial support for students90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7906: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Requires all certified independent or district charter schools upon application for a renewal of said charter or an application for a new charter school to provide a union neutrality clause in the charter.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires union neutrality clauses in charter school charters, restricting teacher unionization rights and collective bargaining, which weakens educator advocacy and labor protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires union neutrality clause in charter school charters, directly supporting collective bargaining rights for educators as per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Collective Bargaining

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7900: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RESIDENCE OF CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures public schools offer open seats to district students after initial enrollment, expanding access within the same district per education policy indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2434: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FAILING SCHOOL CHOICE ACT

Permits students at failing schools to enroll in any public school and also established the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes education revitalization fund to provide funding for school choice program, increasing public education spending allocation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPermits enrollment in any public school for failing school students and establishes a dedicated fund to expand educational access through school choice program funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2649: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RESIDENCE OF CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES -- IN-DISTRICT ACCESS TO OPEN PUBLIC SCHOOL SEATS

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures public schools offer available seats to district residents, expanding access to K-12 education within the district.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2540: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- EDUCATION FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM

Establishes a new program where the per pupil funding, calculated annually by RIDE, would be transferred into a newly created educational funding account run by the children's scholarship fund to pay for educational expenses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRedirects per-pupil funding to private scholarship accounts, defunding public education programs80% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects per-pupil public funding to private scholarship accounts, diverting resources from public schools and weakening traditional public education funding streams.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2556: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE BRIGHT TODAY SCHOLARSHIP AND OPEN ENROLLMENT EDUCATION ACT

SB 2556, the Bright Today Scholarship and Open Enrollment Education Act, would create a new education program in Rhode Island allowing parents of K-12 students to choose public or private school options. Eligible students (those attending public school previously, starting school for the first time in RI, or coming from private/homeschool settings) could receive state-funded scholarships to cover tuition at participating private schools, approved curricula, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees. The program requires parents to commit to providing specific core subjects and using scholarship funds only for designated educational expenses, with unspent funds rolling over for future grades. It aims to let state education funds follow students to their chosen schools while maintaining district funding levels.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded scholarships for K-12 private school options, expanding educational access and providing direct funding for tuition/curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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