R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-4
§ 16-59-4. Powers and duties of the council on postsecondary education.
Status: repealed

The council on postsecondary education shall have, in addition to those enumerated in § 16-59-1, the following powers and duties:

(1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis addressed to every level, aspect, and form of higher education in this state especially as that information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most efficient and economical manner possible.

(2) To develop and approve a strategic plan implementing broad goals and objectives for higher education in the state as established by the board of education, including a comprehensive capital development program.

(3) To formulate broad policy to implement the goals and objectives established and adopted by the board of education; to adopt standards and require enforcement; and to exercise general supervision over all higher public education in the state and over independent higher education in the state as provided in subsections (8) and (9) of this section. The board of education and the council shall not engage in the operation or administration of any subordinate committee, university, junior college, or community college, except its own office of postsecondary education and except as specifically authorized by an act of the general assembly; provided, the presidents of each institution of higher learning shall be the chief administrative and executive officers of that institution; and provided that nothing contained in this section shall prohibit their direct access to or interfere with the relationship between the presidents and the board of education and the council.

(4) To communicate with and seek the advice of the commissioner of postsecondary education, the presidents of the public higher education institutions, and all those concerned with, and affected by, its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting its policy.

(5) To prepare and maintain a five-year (5) funding plan for higher education that implements the strategic financing recommendations of the board of education; to prepare, with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education, and to present annually to the state budget officer, in accordance with § 35-3-4, a state higher education budget, which shall include, but not be limited to, the budget of the office of postsecondary education and the budget of the state colleges. In the preparation of the budget, the council shall implement priorities established by the board of education of expenditures for public higher education purposes of state revenues and other public resources made available for the support of higher public education. Prior to submitting the budget to the state budget officer as required by the budget office instructions and this subsection, the council shall present the budget to the board of education for its review and approval. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall authorize the council to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise provided by law.

(6) To maintain an office of postsecondary commissioner; to provide for its staffing and organization; and to manage and oversee a commissioner of postsecondary education pursuant to duties and responsibilities defined in §§ 16-59-6 and 16-59-7 [repealed]. The commissioner of postsecondary education and the office of postsecondary commissioner shall have the duties and responsibilities as defined in §§ 16-59-6 and 16-59-7 [repealed].

(7) To appoint and dismiss presidents of the public institutions of higher learning with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education, and to establish procedures for this, and with the assistance of the commissioner to approve or disapprove vice presidents of the public institutions of higher learning appointed by the respective presidents of the public institutions of higher learning.

(8) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable for the conduct of any or all aspects of higher education and to determine all powers, functions, and composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when their purpose shall have been fulfilled.

(9) To exercise the authority vested in the board of regents for education with relation to independent higher educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this title, and other laws affecting independent higher education in the state.

(10) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to higher education, public and independent.

(11) To be responsible for all the functions, powers, and duties that were vested in the board of regents for education relating to higher education, including, but not limited to, the following specific functions:

(i) To approve the role and scope of programs at public institutions of higher learning with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education which shall include, but not be limited to, populations to be served, the type and level of programs, and academic fields offered.

(ii) To adopt and require standard accounting procedures for the office of postsecondary commissioner and all public colleges and universities.

(iii) To approve a clear and definitive mission for each public institution of higher learning with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education that is consistent with the role and scope of programs at the public institutions.

(iv) To promote maximum efficiency, economy, and cooperation in the delivery of public higher educational services in the state and cooperation with independent institutions of higher education.

(12) To incorporate into its own affirmative action reporting process periodic reports monitoring specific faculty and staff searches by the chairperson of the search committee to include the rationale for granting those interviews and the final hiring results. The institutions must empower their affirmative action officer to monitor searches in this manner; to intervene during the search; and, when necessary, to cause a search to cease if affirmative action goals are not being adequately served.

(13) To incorporate a specific category for accountability on affirmative action goals and implementation as part of the boards annual evaluations and three-year (3) reviews for the presidents of each of the public institutions of higher education.

(14) To make a formal request of the governor that, whenever an opportunity arises to make new appointments to the board, that the governor make every effort to increase the number of African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics on the board.

(15) To develop coherent plans for the elimination of unnecessary duplication in public higher education and addressing the future needs of public education within the state in the most efficient and economical manner possible.

(16) To delegate to the presidents of each public higher education institution the authority and responsibility for operational and management decisions related to their institutions, consistent with the goals of the statewide strategic plan for postsecondary education; provided, however, that the presidents may be required to provide information or updates to the council regarding any delegated operational or management decisions.

(17) To approve application and renewal fees for all postsecondary institutions situated in Rhode Island, public or private, that choose to participate in an interstate, postsecondary distance-education reciprocity agreement.

(18) To the extent necessary for participation, and to the extent required and stated in an interstate distance-learning reciprocity agreement, the council shall promulgate procedures to address complaints received from out-of-state students in connection with, or related to, any Rhode Island postsecondary institution, public or private, that has been approved to participate in an interstate distance-learning reciprocity agreement.

(19) To serve as the governing body of the division of higher education assistance and exercise all powers and duties of the division of higher education assistance as set forth under the terms of Chapter 57 of this title; however, any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the council that result from its status as such governing body shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of reserve funds set forth and established by the prior Rhode Island higher education assistance authority and/or the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance created pursuant to Chapter 57 of this title, and not from any assets or property held by the council on postsecondary education pursuant to this chapter.

(20) To guarantee one hundred percent (100%) of the unpaid principal and accrued interest of any eligible loan made by a lender to any eligible borrower in existence prior to July 1, 2015, for the purpose of assisting the students in obtaining an education in an eligible institution, subject, however, to the limitation regarding any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the council set forth in subsection (19) above, and in § 16-57-12.

(21) To prescribe rules and regulations deemed necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of serving as a guaranty agency for the loans set forth in subsection (20) of this section, including without limitation rules and regulations:

(i) To ensure compliance by the division with the requirements imposed by statutes or regulation governing the guaranty, insurance, purchase, or other dealing in eligible loans by federal agencies, instrumentalities, or corporations;

(ii) To set standards of eligibility for educational institutions, students, and lenders and to define residency and all other terms as the division deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and

(iii) To set standards for the administration of programs of postsecondary student financial assistance assigned by law to the division, including but not limited to savings programs. Administrative rules governing savings programs shall authorize the division, in conjunction with the commissioner of postsecondary education, to negotiate reciprocal agreements with institutions in other states offering similar savings programs for the purpose of maximizing educational benefits to students in this state.

(22) To establish penalties for violations of any order, rule, or regulation of the division, and a method for enforcing these.

(23) To set and collect fees and charges, in connection with its guaranties and servicing, including without limitation reimbursement of costs of financing by the division, service charges, and insurance premiums and fees and costs associated with implementing and administering savings programs established pursuant to this chapter.

(24) To hold and operate property previously held by the higher education assistance authority in trust for the state, and to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property and other like property as deemed necessary for the execution of its corporate purposes.

(25) To direct the public colleges of higher education to adopt and, upon approval by the council, execute a process to accept the advanced placement subject test scores of students who obtain a three (3) or better in any advanced placement course for college credit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-2
§ 16-32-2. Board of Trustees established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created a board of trustees for the university of Rhode Island, sometimes referred to as the board or board of trustees, which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name; to borrow money; to compromise and settle claims; to have a seal; and to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers; and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of postsecondary educational institutions and functions. Upon its organization, the board shall be vested with the legal title to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in the custody of the council on postsecondary education for the use of the university of Rhode Island, including all its departments, divisions, and branches, sometimes referred to as the property.

(b) The board is empowered to hold and operate the property in trust for the state; to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property and other like property as deemed necessary for the execution of its corporate purposes. The board is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges for the university of Rhode Island formerly belonging to the council on postsecondary education pertaining to postsecondary education and the board of governors for higher education.

(c) The board shall be the employer of record for the university. It shall retain all authority formerly vested in the council on postsecondary education and the board of education regarding the employment of faculty and staff at the university of Rhode Island. The board shall appoint the president of the university and shall review their performance on an annual basis.

(1) The board is empowered to enter into contracts and agreements with the council on postsecondary education and/or the department of administration related to employee benefits, including but not limited to retirement benefits, health, dental, vision and life insurance, disability insurance, workers compensation, and tuition waivers to maximize the states and universitys purchasing and investment portfolio and educational opportunities for the benefit of its employees.

(2) The board is empowered to enter into collective bargaining agreements as appropriate with its employees and all existing collective bargaining agreements in effect when the board is established pursuant to § 16-32-2.2 shall be transferred from the council on postsecondary education to the board.

(d) The board shall make rules and regulations for the control and use of all public properties and highways under its care, and for violations of those rules and regulations; penalties, up to one hundred dollars ($100) and costs for any one offense, may be imposed by any district court or police court in the city or town where the violation occurs; and, in general, the board shall take all actions necessary for the proper execution of the powers and duties granted to, and imposed upon, the board by the terms of this chapter.

(e) The board shall make rules and regulations pursuant to chapter 2 of title 37 to implement its responsibilities as a public agency for procurement purposes as defined in § 37-2-7(16).

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 37-2-22, small procurements made by the board and the university shall not exceed an aggregate amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for construction and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for all other purchases, regardless of the source of funding, and shall be made in accordance with small purchase regulations promulgated by the board. These thresholds may be increased annually through an amendment to the small purchase regulations promulgated by the board of trustees, to reflect the annual increase in the federal Consumer Price Index published by the United States Department of Labor from the date of any prior adjustment.

(f) The board shall evaluate data on which to base performance of the university as described in subsection (g) of this section which shall be defined by the president of the university. These measures may include and incorporate outcomes or goals from multiple, previous years. The lack of information from previous years, however, will not affect the use of performance-based measures.

(g) The university of Rhode Island shall have unique measures consistent with its purpose, role, scope, and mission. The board shall provide faculty and students an opportunity to provide input on the development of performance measures.

(1) The performance-based measures shall include, but not be limited to, the following metrics:

(i) The number and percentage, including growth in relation to enrollment and prior years of bachelors degrees awarded to first-time, full-time students within four (4) years and six (6) years, including summer graduates;

(ii) The number of degrees awarded that are tied to Rhode Islands high demand, high-wage employment opportunities consistent with the institutions mission;

(iii) One metric that applies only to the university, in consultation with the president, which shall consider faculty, staff, and student input; and

(iv) Any other metrics that are deemed appropriate by the board.

(2) Weight may be assigned to any of the aforementioned metrics to reinforce the mission of the university, the economic needs of the state, and the socio-economic status of the students.

(h) The board shall hold the university accountable for developing and implementing transfer pathways for students from the community college of Rhode Island and Rhode Island college.

(i) The board shall adopt a process requiring every academic program at the university to accept for credit the advanced placement subject test scores of students who obtain a three (3) or better in any advanced placement course.

(j) The board shall supervise, coordinate, and/or authorize audits, civil and administrative investigations, and inspections or oversight reviews, when necessary, relating to expenditure of state or federal funds, or to any and all university programs and operations, as well as the procurement of any supplies, services, or construction, by the university. In the course of an audit or investigation, the board authorized auditor(s) shall review statutes and regulations of the university and shall determine if the university is in compliance and shall make recommendations concerning the efficiency of operations, and the effect of such statutes or regulations on internal controls and the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse. The board authorized auditor(s) may recommend policies or procedures that may strengthen internal controls, or assist in the prevention or detection of fraud, waste, and abuse or mismanagement. Any audits conducted shall be transmitted to the office of internal audit and program integrity established in chapter 7.1 of title 35.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-34 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-34
§ 16-21-34. Statewide bullying policy implemented.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island department of education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide bullying policy, ensuring a consistent and unified, statewide approach to the prohibition of bullying at school. The statewide policy shall apply to all schools that are approved for the purpose of § 16-9-1 and shall contain the following:

(1) Descriptions of and statements prohibiting bullying, cyber-bullying and retaliation of school;

(2) Clear requirements and procedures for students, staff, parents, guardians and others to report bullying or retaliation;

(3) A provision that reports of bullying or retaliation may be made anonymously; provided, however, that no disciplinary action shall be taken against a student solely on the basis of an anonymous report;

(4) Clear procedures for promptly responding to and investigating reports of bullying or retaliation;

(5) The range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against a perpetrator for bullying or retaliation; provided, however, that the disciplinary actions shall balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behavior; and provided, further:

(i) A parental engagement strategy; and

(ii) A provision that states punishments for violations of the bullying policy shall be determined by the schools appropriate authority; however, no student shall be suspended from school unless it is deemed a necessary consequence of the violations;

(6) Clear procedures for restoring a sense of safety for a victim and assessing that victims needs for protection;

(7) Strategies for protecting from bullying or retaliation a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying or witnesses or has reliable information about an act of bullying;

(8) Procedures for promptly notifying the parents or guardians of a victim and a perpetrator; provided, further, that the parents or guardians of a victim shall also be notified of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation; and provided, further, that the procedures shall provide for immediate notification of the local law enforcement agency when criminal charges may be pursued against the perpetrator;

(9) A provision that a student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying or retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action;

(10) A strategy for providing counseling or referral to appropriate services currently being offered by schools or communities for perpetrators and victims and for appropriate family members of said students. The plan shall afford all students the same protection regardless of their status under the law;

(11) A provision that requires a principal or designee to be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the bullying policy;

(12) Provisions for informing parents and guardians about the bullying policy of the school district or school shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) A link to the policy prominently posted on the home page of the school districts website and distributed annually to parents and guardians of students;

(ii) A provision for notification, within twenty-four (24) hours, of the incident report, to the parents or guardians of the victim of bullying and parents or guardians of the alleged perpetrator of the bullying;

(13) A school employee, school volunteer, student, parent, legal guardian, or relative caregiver who promptly reports, in good faith, an act of bullying to the appropriate school official designated in the schools policy is immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting bullying;

(14) This section does not prevent a victim from seeking redress under any other available law, either civil or criminal. This section does not create or alter any tort liability;

(15) Students shall be prohibited from accessing social networking sites at school, except for educational or instructional purposes and with the prior approval from school administration. Nothing in this act shall prohibit students from using school department or school websites for educational purposes. School districts and schools are encouraged to provide in-service training on Internet safety for students, faculty and staff; and

(16) All school districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, approved private day or residential schools and collaborative schools shall be subject to the requirements of this section. School districts and schools must adopt the statewide bullying policy promulgated pursuant to this section by June 30, 2012.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-6
§ 16-2-6. Chairperson and clerk of city or town committee.
Status: in_force

The school committee of each city or town shall choose a chairperson and clerk, either of whom may sign any orders or official papers, and may be removed at the pleasure of the committee. The clerk, under the direction of the committee, shall keep a journal of the proceedings of the committee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-109-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-109 / Section 16-109-2
§ 16-109-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this section:

(1) School-sponsored media means any material that is prepared, substantially written, published, or broadcast by a student journalist at an institution under the supervision of the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on postsecondary education, both public and private, distributed, or generally made available to members of the student body, and prepared under the direction of a student media advisor. School-sponsored media does not include content intended for distribution or transmission only in the classroom in which it is produced.

(2) Student journalist means a student of an institution under the supervision of the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on postsecondary education, both public and private, who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or prepares information for dissemination in school-sponsored media.

(3) Student media advisor means an individual employed, appointed, or designated by an institution under the supervision of the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on postsecondary education, both public and private, to supervise or provide instruction relating to school-sponsored media.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-10
§ 16-60-10. Applicability of Administrative Procedures Act.
Status: in_force

The provisions of §§ 42-35-1 through 42-35-8 shall apply to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-26-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-26 / Section 16-26-2
§ 16-26-2. Control by board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
Status: in_force

The state board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall have supervision, administration, and control of the school for the deaf.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-42-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-42 / Section 16-42-2
§ 16-42-2. Regulations of the board of regents.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to establish regulations for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter; these regulations shall include:

(1) Criteria for the identification of gifted and talented students in the categories in § 16-42-1.

(2) Criteria for education programming for each category of gifted and talented.

(3) Criteria for monitoring and evaluating of educational programs.

(4) Definitions of responsibilities of local school committees and the department of elementary and secondary education.

(5) Other rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-36 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-36
§ 16-7-36. Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases used in §§ 16-7-35 to 16-7-47 have the following meanings:

(1) Adjusted equalized weighted assessed valuation means the equalized weighted assessed valuation for a community as determined by the division of property valuation within the department of revenue in accordance with § 16-7-21; provided, however, that in the case of a regional school district the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall apportion the adjusted equalized weighted assessed valuation of the member cities or towns among the regional school district and the member cities or towns according to the proportion that the number of pupils of the regional school district bears to the number of pupils of the member cities or towns.

(2) Approved project means a project which has complied with the administrative regulations governing §§ 16-7-35 through 16-7-47, and which has been authorized to receive state school housing reimbursement by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(3) Commissioning agent means a person or entity who ensures that systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained to perform in conformity with the design intent of a project.

(4) Community means any city, town, or regional school district established pursuant to law; provided, however, that the member towns of the Chariho regional high school district, created by P.L. 1958, ch. 55, as amended, shall constitute separate and individual communities for the purposes of distributing the foundation level school support for school housing for all grades financed in whole or in part by the towns irrespective of any regionalization.

(5) Facilities condition index means the cost to fully repair the building divided by the cost to replace the building as determined by the school building authority.

(6) Functional utilization means the ratio of the student population within a school facility to the capacity of the school facility to adequately serve students as defined by the school building authority.

(7) Maintenance expenditures means amounts spent for repairs or replacements for the purpose of keeping a school facility open and safe for use, including repairs, maintenance, and replacements to a school facilitys heating, lighting, ventilation, security, and other fixtures to keep the facility or fixtures in effective working condition. Maintenance shall not include contracted or direct custodial or janitorial services, expenditures for the cleaning of a school facility or its fixtures, the care and upkeep of grounds, recreational facilities, or parking lots, or the cleaning of or repairs and replacements to movable furnishings or equipment.

(8) Owners program manager means owners program manager as defined in § 37-2-7.

(9) Prime contractor means the construction contractor who is responsible for the completion of a project.

(10) Reference year means the year next prior to the school year immediately preceding that in which aid is to be paid.

(11) Subject to inflation means the base amount multiplied by the percentage of increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI) Data for Nonresidential Building Construction (NAICS 236222) as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-21.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-21.2
§ 16-2-21.2. Three-year budget forecasting process.
Status: in_force

(a) On or before November 1 of each year, the highest elected official of each town or city shall submit to the school committee an estimate, prepared in a manner approved by the department of administration, of projected revenues for the next three (3) fiscal years. In the case of the property tax, the projection shall include only changes in the property tax base, not property tax rates.

(b) On or before November 1, the school committee shall submit to the city or town council an estimate of its expenditures by major program and school revenues for the three (3) years, which designates those expenditures, in whole or in part, that are required by state law or regulation.

(c) The state shall cooperate by the preparation and provision of information necessary to develop these three (3) year forecasts. The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide estimates of school aid based on current law or based on experience in previous years as determined by the commissioner. The department of elementary and secondary education shall also prepare a three (3) year plan to show the impact of state aid and state educational programs on each school district. All state aid estimates and three (3) year plans prepared by the department of elementary and secondary education shall be submitted to the director of the department of administration for review and comment prior to distribution among school districts. The department of administration shall develop a methodology for the calculation of three (3) year revenue forecasts by cities and towns. At the request of any city or town, the department of administration shall assist the city or town in making a forecast of revenues. In the absence of a request, the department of administration shall certify that any forecasts made by a city or town are consistent with the department of administrations methodology. The retirement board established pursuant to § 36-8-3 shall provide projected rates for contribution to the teacher and municipal retirement systems. The state budget officer shall supply the assumptions he or she is using regarding the performance of the economy of the state.

(d) There shall annually be a joint meeting between the city or town council and the school committee not later than December 31st to review the revenue and expenditure projections and to discuss issues affecting the preparation of the school budget.

(e) For school districts that are not on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year, the department of elementary and secondary education may, upon request of the district, establish other time periods for this planning process.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-10
§ 16-3-10. Acceptance by voters  Establishment of regional school district.
Status: in_force

If a majority of the voters voting on the question in each of the several cities or towns shall vote in the affirmative to accept this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall apply, and the proposed regional school district shall be deemed to be established in accordance with the terms of the agreement adopted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-40 / Section 16-40-12
§ 16-40-12. Schools instructing persons above compulsory school age.
Status: in_force

All private schools offering instruction in any academic or vocational field to students above the compulsory school age shall be registered at the department of elementary and secondary education or the office of higher education, the registry showing the name of the school, the location, the names of the officers or persons in charge, the field or fields in which instruction is to be given, the rate of tuition to be charged, and the training and experience of the teachers. These schools shall not operate until they have received the approval of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education or the board of governors for higher education and shall continue to operate only as long as the approval remains in force. These schools shall report annually to the appropriate board, in the month of July, on prescribed forms furnished by the department or office, showing the number of different pupils enrolled, the fields of instruction covered, the length of the course, the number of teachers employed, and any other facts that the board may require.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-90-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-90 / Section 16-90-3
§ 16-90-3. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to initiate a process by which the state may achieve the goal of collecting, maintaining, analyzing and reporting of data relating to the graduation rates of the students in our public high schools as an essential step in addressing gaps in educational achievement among our diverse student population.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-106-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-106 / Section 16-106-5
§ 16-106-5. Performance not achieved.
Status: in_force

If a public institution of higher education has failed to achieve one or more of the performance metrics set forth in accordance with this chapter, the funds associated with each, unachieved metric shall be distributed to the same institution for corrective action, with oversight by the office of the postsecondary commissioner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-29-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-29 / Section 16-29-10
§ 16-29-10. Enforcement of attendance requirement.
Status: in_force

The truant officer or truant officers appointed by the school committee in compliance with the provisions of § 16-19-3 shall, under the direction of the school committee, inquire into all cases of irregular attendance or of failure or neglect to attend upon instruction in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, and shall be authorized to make complaints in case of violation of the compulsory attendance provisions of this chapter, and to serve legal processes issued in pursuance of this chapter; provided, that no truant officer complaining under the provisions of this chapter shall be required to give surety for costs, and no officer shall become liable for any costs that may accrue on the complaint.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-9.5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-9.5
§ 16-2-9.5. Other post-employment benefits  OPEB trusts.
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, or the provisions of any municipalitys home rule charter, to the contrary, for purposes of funding any unfunded liability for other post-employment benefits including, but not limited to, health care and dental care benefits hereinafter referred to as (OPEB) in accordance with government accounting standards board statements 43 and 45, a school district, acting by its business manager or superintendent, upon an approving resolution of the school committee or school board as applicable, may enter into a trust agreement between the school district and a corporate trustee which shall be a bank or trust company doing business in the state, or a corporation established pursuant to chapter 5 of title 45. This trust agreement shall be in any form deemed proper by the business manager or superintendent, and shall be executed by its business manager or superintendent and countersigned by the chair of the school committee of the school district. It shall be lawful for any bank, trust company, or entity organized pursuant to § 45-5-20.1 doing business in the state to act as a depository or trustee under this trust agreement, and to furnish indemnification and pledge securities that may be required by any school district.

(b) OPEB trust funds shall be credited with all amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by the school district for the purposes of meeting the current and future OPEB costs payable by the school district. OPEB trust funds shall also be credited with all amounts contributed or otherwise made available by employees of the school district for the purpose of meeting future OPEB costs payable by the school district. Amounts in an OPEB trust fund, including any earnings or interest accruing from the investment of these amounts, shall be expended only for the payment of the costs payable by the school district for OPEB or as otherwise permitted by the terms of the trust and applicable law. The business manager or superintendent, as applicable, shall invest or reinvest the amounts in the OPEB trust fund in any investment permitted for the state pension funds consistent with the investment policies of the state general treasurers office.

(c) School districts are hereby authorized to enter into agreements, trusts, contracts, and other arrangements with the state and any of its departments, agencies, boards or commissions relating to the execution, management or operation of the OPEB trust funds, including, but not limited to, investments, and the state and its department, agencies, boards and commissions are hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts and other arrangements with school districts. Notwithstanding any provisions of any general or special law or principle of equity to the contrary, the state shall have no liability to any school district for entering into such agreements.

(d) A school district may employ any qualified bank, trust company, corporation, firm or person to advise it on the investment of the OPEB trust fund and may pay from the OPEB trust fund for this advice and other services. Procurement for these services shall be subject to the procurement procedures and rules governing school districts and municipalities in the state.

(e) School districts are also hereby authorized to enter into agreements, trusts, contracts, and other arrangements with any corporation created pursuant to chapter 5 of title 45 relating to the execution, management or operation of the OPEB trust funds, including, but not limited to, investments, and the corporations established pursuant to § 45-5-20.1 are hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts and other arrangements with school districts.

(f) Nothing contained herein will prevent any school district from entering into agreements with other school districts per § 16-2-9.2 for the purposes of jointly pooling their investments or collectively entering into an agreement with a corporate trustee, as defined in subsection (a) of this section.

(g) Nothing herein shall be construed to exempt OPEB trusts from the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, § 38-2-1 et seq.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-18 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-18
§ 16-7-18. Determination of mandated minimum program level.
Status: in_force

The mandated minimum program level shall be determined annually by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education upon recommendation of the commissioner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-40 / Section 16-40-13
§ 16-40-13. Promise of employment  Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

No private school shall promise or guarantee placement or employment as a means of inducing enrolment, and any person, firm, or corporation which conducts a school contrary to these regulations and without the approval of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education or the board of governors for higher education shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-19 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-19
§ 16-59-19. Fiscal accounts  Receipts  Petty cash funds.
Status: in_force

The treasurer of Rhode Island college to be appointed by the council on postsecondary education, shall keep an accurate account of his or her receipts and expenditures which shall be audited by the state controller in accordance with law. The treasurer of each college shall turn over to the general treasurer at monthly intervals all sums of money received by him or her during the preceding month which shall be credited to the proper accounts and funds by the general treasurer. The state controller shall establish an imprest fund or petty cash fund for the use of the treasurer of each of the colleges for expenditures of any nature as may be approved by the state controller.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-16 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-16
§ 16-59-16. Meaning of terms in existing law.
Status: in_force

Whenin any law, resolution, document, record, instrument, proceeding, or other place the words board of trustees of state colleges or boards of regents for education as they shall apply to higher education shall appear, they shall be construed to mean board of governors for higher education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-87-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-87 / Section 16-87-6
§ 16-87-6. Planning for prekindergarten expansion.
Status: in_force

On or before December 31, 2022, the department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the department of human services and the childrens cabinet, as established in § 42-72.5-1, shall submit to the governor, speaker of the house, president of the senate, and chairs of the house and senate finance and education committees, an annual growth plan to expand the state prekindergarten program to five thousand (5,000) seats, for three- and four-year-old children, over five (5) years, beginning in FY 2024, as well as recommendations for achieving universal prekindergarten in the state. The growth plan shall detail annual targets and projected funding needs, as well as how the state will:

(1) Equitably distribute prekindergarten funding to eligible providers;

(2) Ensure that access to infant and toddler care is not at risk as the state prekindergarten program is expanded;

(3) Prepare, recruit, and retain a highly-qualified early childhood workforce, including adequate wages for early childhood educators, regardless of setting;

(4) Build capacity among new and existing providers to ensure quality standards are met in all settings; and

(5) Ensure providers in the mixed-delivery system have sufficient facilities to expand access to high-quality prekindergarten services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-28.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-28.3
§ 16-21-28.3. Performance standards.
Status: in_force

The department of health, in conjunction with the American diabetes association, and the Rhode Island chapter of American academy of pediatrics, shall develop performance standards and guidelines for the training and supervision of personnel, other than the school nurse, who provide emergency medical assistance to students under this section. Such personnel shall only be authorized to provide such assistance upon successful completion of glucagon administration training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-100 / Section 16-100-2
§ 16-100-2. Definition.
Status: in_force

Dual Enrollment means that a student is enrolled in a secondary school while simultaneously enrolled part-time or full-time at a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-63-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-63 / Section 16-63-1
§ 16-63-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Adult Education Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-50-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-50 / Section 16-50-9
§ 16-50-9. Criminal penalties.
Status: in_force

Any act or omission in violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor and the violator shall be liable to a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both the fine and imprisonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-35 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-35
§ 16-16-35. Contributions.
Status: in_force

(a) The cost of the benefits provided in §§ 16-16-25  16-16-38 shall be two percent (2%) of the members annual salary up to but not exceeding an annual salary of eleven thousand five hundred dollars ($11,500); one-half (Â½) of the cost shall be contributed by the member by deductions from his or her salary, and the other half (Â½) shall be contributed and paid by the respective city, town, or school district by which the member is employed. These contributions shall be in addition to the contributions provided in § 16-16-22 and shall be paid into the teachers survivors benefit fund created by §§ 16-16-25  16-16-38 in the same manner as contributions are made under the provisions of § 16-16-22.

(b) In the event the market value of the teachers survivor benefit plan assets shall decrease below one hundred (100%) percent of the teachers survivor benefit plan liabilities as reported by a qualified actuary pursuant to § 16-16-37, the retirement board shall determine and fix the amount of contributions necessary to maintain a funding level of not less than one hundred (100%) percent of assets to liabilities ratio. Any adjusted cost of the benefits provided in §§ 16-16-25  16-16-38 shall be paid for by the member by deduction from his or her salary. These contributions shall be in addition to the contributions provided in § 16-16-22 and shall be paid into the teachers survivors benefit fund created by §§ 16-16-25  16-16-38 in the same manner as contributions are made under the provisions of § 16-16-22; provided, however, that payments to compensate for asset-to-liability ratios less than one hundred (100%) percent shall be amortized over individual ten-year (10) close periods. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter or in any other provision of Rhode Island law, no benefit enhancements, beyond the current provisions within §§ 16-16-25  16-16-38, shall be granted until the market value of the teachers survivor benefit plan assets shall increase above one hundred and twenty (120%) percent of the teachers survivor benefit plan liabilities as reported by a qualified actuary pursuant to § 16-16-37.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-10
§ 16-21-10. Scoliosis screening.
Status: in_force

The school health program shall provide for the yearly screening or examination for scoliosis of all school children in grades six (6) through eight (8) and the preservation of records of the screening or examinations of those children. The parent or guardian of any child in grades six (6) through eight (8) may have the screening or examination conducted by a private physician and the results shall be made available to the local school department. Otherwise, the screening shall be conducted by a certified nurse-teacher. The screening of male and female pupils shall be conducted separately. The parent or guardian of any child who is found to have positive signs or symptoms of scoliosis shall be notified of the findings. However, the test shall not be required of any student whose parents or guardian objects on the ground that the test conflicts with their religious belief.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-9
§ 16-92-9. State coordination.
Status: in_force

(a) Each member state shall, through the creation of a state council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies and military installations concerning the states participation in, and compliance with, this compact and interstate commission activities. While each member state may determine the membership of its own state council, its membership must include at least: the state superintendent of education, superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children, representative from a military installation, one representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government, and other offices and stakeholder groups the state council deems appropriate. A member state that does not have a school district deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the state council.

(b) The state council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this compact.

(c) The compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the states participation in the compact shall be appointed by the governor or as otherwise determined by each member state.

(d) The compact commissioner and the military family education liaison designated herein shall be ex-officio members of the state council, unless either is already a full voting member of the state council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-100 / Section 16-100-5
§ 16-100-5. Reporting.
Status: in_force

School districts that have students participating in dual enrollment programs shall report to the department of elementary and secondary education on an annual basis regarding the number of students, the number of credits enrolled in at postsecondary institutions, the name of the institution, and the dollar amount the school district is allocated for this program. The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide the governor, president of the senate and speaker of the house a report that shall contain the above information provided by district and in the aggregate on an annual basis by October 31 of each year, commencing on July 1, 2016.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-106-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-106 / Section 16-106-7
§ 16-106-7. State postsecondary education funding formula.
Status: in_force

(a) Implementation of a state postsecondary-education funding formula shall be contingent upon the approval of the general assembly. On or before October 1, 2016, the commissioner of postsecondary education shall present to the board of education and the general assembly, the following:

(1) A proposal for the further definition of the budget for otherwise unrestricted higher education general revenue in accordance with §§ 16-106-3(a) and 16-106-4(a); and

(2) With input from an advisory workgroup composed of representatives of the administration and faculty of Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and University of Rhode Island, the commissioner shall develop a proposal for a funding formula for calculating budgetary needs of the public postsecondary institutions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-26-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-26 / Section 16-26-1
§ 16-26-1. Name of school.
Status: in_force

The name of the institution previously existing under the provisions of this chapter as the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf is changed to Rhode Island School for the Deaf, and shall be known as Rhode Island School for the Deaf. Where the words Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf occur in any general law, public law, or resolution of the general assembly, or are used in any document, record, instrument, or proceeding authorized by any law or resolution relating to the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf, these words shall be construed to mean the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-18 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-18
§ 16-24-18. Transition from school to self-sufficient adulthood for students with disabilities.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established within the department of elementary and secondary education an interagency transition council (the transition council) composed of:

(1) The administrators or their designees of the following:

(i) Department of human services  office of rehabilitation services;

(ii) Department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals  division of developmental disabilities;

(iii) Department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals  division of behavioral healthcare;

(iv) Department of children, youth, and families;

(v) Department of elementary and secondary education  office of student, community and academic supports;

(vi) Department of elementary and secondary education  office of adult and career and technical education;

(vii) Department of labor and training  human resource investment council;

(viii) Department of health  division of community, family health, and equity; and

(2) Commissioner of higher education or his or her designee; and

(3) Two (2) young persons with disabilities, two (2) parents of young persons with disabilities, and two (2) representatives of local school districts and one transition coordinator from one of the regional educational collaboratives, appointed by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(4) One representative of community-based providers of services to adults with developmental disabilities and one representative of community-based providers of adult behavioral healthcare services, appointed by the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

(b) The goal of the transition council is to ensure the preparedness of students with disabilities, upon leaving school, to live and work in the community.

(c) The transition council shall draft and propose periodic revisions to the cooperative agreement among the state departments and offices for the provisions of services in the transition of young persons with disabilities from school to self-sufficient adult life. The directors of the state departments and agencies shall sign the cooperative agreement and any revisions, prior to their implementation. The transition council shall oversee the implementation of the cooperative agreement. The council shall issue guidelines or instructions and recommend to the state departments and agencies appropriate directives necessary to effectuate the implementation of the cooperative agreement. The transition council shall develop joint plans for state departments and agencies and local school districts for providing transition services to assist young persons with disabilities. The transition council shall, after hearing from the public, issue an annual report to the governor, childrens cabinet, and general assembly on the status of transition services and recommendations for improving opportunities for young persons with disabilities to make a successful transition from school to self-sufficient adult life.

(d) Individualized transition planning will be initiated by the school district to include the young person with a disability, guardian, general education and special education personnel as appropriate, career and technical education, and representatives of any party to the delivery and implementation of the individual plan. Transition planning will begin by age fourteen (14) or younger if determined appropriate in the individualized education program, for each eligible young person with a disability and shall be reviewed and updated annually.

(e) As used in this section:

(1) Transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a young person with a disability, designed within an outcome oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities including postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The activities shall be based on the needs of the individual young person with a disability, taking into account the young person with a disabilitys preferences and interests; and shall include needed activities in the areas of:

(i) Instruction:

(ii) Community experiences;

(iii) The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives; and

(iv) If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

(2) Young person(s) with a disability means those students:

(i) Evaluated in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as having mental retardation, hearing impairments including deafness, speech or language impairments, visual impairments including blindness, serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities; or

(ii) Who because of those impairments needs special education and related services, and

(iii) Age fourteen (14) or younger if determined appropriate in the individualized education program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-8
§ 16-3-8. Submission of agreement to board of regents for elementary and secondary education and the cities or towns.
Status: in_force

Copies of the agreement drawn by the regional district planning board in accordance with § 16-3-7 shall be submitted to the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education for review and recommendation to the several cities or towns for their acceptance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-25 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-25
§ 16-59-25. Voter registration forms.
Status: in_force

The admissions offices of all state institutions of higher learning shall include in the admissions information provided to state residents forms for voter registration as described in § 17-9.1-9 to be provided by the state board of elections.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-7
§ 16-21-7. School health.
Status: in_force

(a) All schools that are approved for the purpose of §§ 16-19-1 and 16-19-2 shall have a school health program that shall be approved by the state director of the department of health and the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or the commissioner of higher education, as appropriate. The program shall provide for the organized direction and supervision of a healthful school environment, health education, and services. The program shall include and provide for the administration of nursing care by certified nurse teachers, as defined in § 16-21-8, as shall be requested, in writing, by the attending physician of any student and authorized, in writing, by the parent or legal guardian of the student. No instruction in the characteristics, symptoms, and the treatment of disease shall be given to any child whose parent or guardian shall present a written statement signed by them stating that the instructions should not be given the child because of religious beliefs.

(b) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 529, § 1.]

(c)(1) All Rhode Island elementary, middle, and high schools that sell or distribute competitive foods and beverages on the school campus during the school day shall be required to offer only healthy foods and beverages as set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-296, 42 U.S.C. § 1758 et seq., and federal regulations implementing the act promulgated pursuant to the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 1779(b). Provided, the Rhode Island board of education or local school committees may adopt more restrictive policies than the ones referenced herein.

(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of §§ 16-8-9, 16-8-10, 16-8-10.1, or of this section to the contrary, for the period commencing August 30, 2024, through to and including August 29, 2026, the board of education shall waive any requirements on all Rhode Island elementary, middle, and high schools that on a weekly basis, at least one-half (Â½) of the grain servings in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meals must be one hundred percent (100%) whole grain and that the remaining grain servings must be whole grain rich, in order to be deemed reimbursable meals pursuant to federal law including, but not limited to, 7 C.F.R. § 210.10 and 7 C.F.R. § 220.8, and any amendments thereto.

(3) On or before September 1, 2026, the chief administrator of every Rhode Island elementary, middle, and high school shall report to the commissioner, the total number of meals served that were reimbursable pursuant to the provisions of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. § 1771 et seq.), and the total number of meals served that were non-reimbursable pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c)(2) of this section for the period of August 30, 2024, until August 29, 2026. The commissioner shall submit a copy of all the received reports to the governor, senate president, and speaker of the house on or before September 15, 2026.

(d) Schools may permit the sale of beverages and snacks that do not comply with subsection (c) as part of school fundraising in any of the following circumstances:

(1) The sale of those items takes place off and away from the school campus.

(2) The sale of those items takes place after the end of the school day as defined in subsection (g).

(3) Career and technical schools with culinary arts or food-service programs may request an exemption from the department of elementary and secondary education to enable the limited sale of noncompliant snacks and beverages that have been prepared by culinary students as part of their curriculum. No specially exempted fundraiser foods or beverages may be sold in competition with school meals during the meal service.

(e) The department of elementary and secondary education shall post on its website resources to assist school districts with implementation of this section.

(f) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a process to monitor compliance with this section.

(g) Definitions. As used in this section:

(1) Competitive foods means all foods and beverages, other than meals reimbursed under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. § 1771 et seq.), available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day.

(2) School campus means all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day.

(3) School day means the period from midnight before, to sixty (60) minutes after, the end of the official school day.

(h) The standards set forth and referenced in this section shall apply throughout the entire school campus, including, but not limited to, a la carte food sale, school stores, vending machines, and fundraisers held during the school day.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-23 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-23
§ 16-16-23. Applicability of public employees retirement law.
Status: in_force

Except as specifically provided otherwise in this chapter, all provisions of chapters 8  10 of title 36 shall extend and apply to the persons made members of the retirement system by the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-80-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-80 / Section 16-80-7
§ 16-80-7. Report of findings.
Status: in_force

The human resource investment council shall annually report to the legislature on the school-to-work transition program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-88-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-88 / Section 16-88-1
§ 16-88-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island After School and Summer Learning Program Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-15-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-15 / Section 16-15-14
§ 16-15-14. Annual grant for teachers retiring after July 1, 1949.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall annually appropriate a sum sufficient to pay an additional annual retirement grant of four hundred dollars ($400) per year for a payment of a pension of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) annually to every retired teacher who qualified for either a pension or retirement benefits under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) It shall also annually appropriate a sum sufficient to pay an additional pension grant which when added to the existing pension will provide a maximum annual pension of two thousand dollars ($2,000) to any retired teacher on an ordinary disability pension who has twenty (20) or more years of teaching service credit in the retirement system and to any retired teacher under the maximum plan who has twenty (20) or more years of teaching service credit in the retirement system who retired after July 1, 1949, and whose present annual pension under the provisions of chapter 16 of this title is less than two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(c) This grant shall be an annual state grant and shall be in addition to any and all amounts being paid from any state pension or retirement system and in addition to any payments from a retirement or pension system of any city or town.

(d) All money appropriated in accordance with the amended provisions of this chapter for the retired teachers shall be administered by the department of elementary and secondary education, and all money appropriated in accordance with the amended provisions of chapter 16 of this title for the retired teachers shall be administered by the retirement division in the department of treasury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-16 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-16
§ 16-32-16. Marine biology department  Laboratory.
Status: in_force

The University of Rhode Island is authorized and empowered to establish in connection with the university a department of marine biology. The department shall establish a marine biological laboratory with suitable facilities for research on problems involving animal life in Rhode Island waters. The department shall cooperate with the department of environmental management. The department shall, as facilities permit, offer courses for the training of students planning to enter the fishing industry or to qualify for positions in federal or state fishery departments. Courses in the department of marine biology shall have the same standing as other courses at the college and shall be accepted as credits for degrees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-94-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-94 / Section 16-94-1
§ 16-94-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island family Engagement Advisory Council Act of 2011.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-32 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-32
§ 16-32-32. Exemption from provisions of administrative procedures act.
Status: in_force

The provisions of the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42, shall not apply to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-1.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-38 / Section 16-38-1.1
§ 16-38-1.1. Discrimination because of sex.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all public elementary and secondary schools in the state and in all schools operated by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. This prohibition shall apply to employment practices, admissions, curricular programs, extracurricular activities including athletics, counseling, and any and all other school functions and activities.

(2) Notwithstanding this prohibition, schools may do the following:

(i) Maintain separate restrooms, dressing, and shower facilities for males and females;

(ii) Conduct separate human sexuality classes for male and female students; and

(iii) Prohibit female participation in all contact sports provided that equal athletic opportunities which effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of both sexes are made available.

(iv) Provide extracurricular activities for students of one sex, including, but not limited to, father-daughter/mother-son activities, but if such activities are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for reasonably comparable activities shall be provided for students of the other sex. School districts are required to allow and notify students that they may bring the adult of their parents or guardians choice to the event.

(3) Each local education agency shall designate an equal opportunity officer who shall be responsible for overseeing compliance with this section within the local education agency district.

(4) The board of regents shall designate an equal opportunity officer who shall be responsible for overseeing compliance with this section within schools operated by the board.

(5) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall be responsible for enforcing this section and is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce the provisions of this section.

(b)(1) Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all public colleges, community colleges, universities, and all other public institutions of higher learning in the state which are operated by the board of governors for higher education. This prohibition shall apply to employment, recruitment, and hiring practices, employment benefits, admissions, curricular programs, extracurricular activities including athletics, counseling, financial aid including athletic grants-in-aid, student medical, hospital, and accident or life insurance benefits, facilities, housing, rules and regulations, research, and any and all other school functions and activities.

(2) Notwithstanding these prohibitions, schools may do the following:

(i) Maintain separate but comparable restrooms, dressing, and shower facilities for males and females, including reasonable use of staff of the same sex as the users of these facilities;

(ii) Provide separate teams for contact sports or for sports where selection for teams is based on competitive skills, provided that equal athletic opportunities which effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of both sexes are made available;

(iii) Maintain separate housing for men and women, provided that housing for students of both sexes is as a whole both proportionate in quantity to the number of students of that sex that apply for housing and comparable in quality and cost to the student; and

(iv) Permit the establishment and operation of university based social fraternities and sororities.

(3) Each individual educational institution of higher learning shall designate an equal opportunity officer or affirmative action officer who shall be responsible for overseeing compliance with this section within the educational institution.

(4) The president of each public college, community college, university, and other public institution of higher learning in the state shall be responsible for enforcing this section and is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-10.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-8 / Section 16-8-10.1
§ 16-8-10.1. Mandatory school breakfast programs.
Status: in_force

(a) All public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make federally reimbursable school breakfasts available to students attending those schools through the USDAs School Breakfast Program (SBP) in accordance with federal regulation as well as rules and regulations that are adopted from time to time by the department of elementary and secondary education. To the extent that federal, state, and other funds are available, free reimbursable breakfasts shall be provided to all students from families that meet the current specific criteria established by federal and state regulations to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The state of Rhode Island shall provide additional funds to public schools in an amount equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement rate received for a free breakfast and the federal reimbursement rate received for each student eligible for a reduced-price breakfast and receiving breakfast.

(b) The state of Rhode Island shall provide school districts a per-breakfast subsidy for each breakfast served to students. The general assembly shall annually appropriate some sum and distribute it based on each districts proportion of the number of breakfasts served in the prior school year relative to the statewide total in the same year. This subsidy shall augment the nonprofit school food service account and be used for expenses incurred in providing nutritious breakfast meals to students.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-14
§ 16-32-14. Maximum guarantees outstanding.
Status: in_force

The amount or amounts guaranteed and the amount or amounts guaranteed under the provisions of § 16-32-12 shall not at any one time exceed in the aggregate the sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-74-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-74 / Section 16-74-1
§ 16-74-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

(a) The current system of education financing does not provide for absolute equity, does not account completely for individual student needs, and relies too heavily on the property tax, and the governor through executive order 92-9 and the twenty-first century commission through its final report as endorsed by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education has cited the need for a guaranteed student entitlement program, it is enacted that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education present to the general assembly a new state aid education formula referred to as the guaranteed student entitlement program, based on the definition of equity in school funding in subsection (b).

(b) Equity is defined as equal treatment of students and taxpayers. It means that a sufficient amount of money is allocated to enable all students to achieve learner outcomes, and tax burdens shall be based on ability to pay. It means that money spent for a childs education shall not be a function of district wealth, and that all students shall have the same educational opportunities. The quality of education provided must be a function of statewide wealth.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-70-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-70 / Section 16-70-5
§ 16-70-5. Budget and appropriations.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums as it deems necessary as the states share for the support and maintenance of the onward we learn scholarship program, including operational and scholarship support, and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the appropriations upon receipt by the state controller of the proper voucher the office of the postsecondary commissioner may provide. The office of the postsecondary commissioner shall present the voucher to the state controller no later than the last day of the first month of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made and this appropriation shall be remitted to the accounts of the onward we learn scholarship program by the state treasurer no later than the last day of the second month of the fiscal year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-20-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-20 / Section 16-20-1
§ 16-20-1. School holidays enumerated.
Status: in_force

The first day of January (as New Years Day), the third Monday of January (as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), the twenty-second day of February (as Washingtons Birthday), the thirtieth day of May (as Memorial Day), the fourth day of July (as Independence Day), the twelfth day of October (as Columbus Day), the eleventh day of November (as Veterans Day), the twenty-fifth day of December (as Christmas Day), and each of these days in every year, or when any of the days falls on a Sunday, then the day following it, the first Monday of September (as Labor Day), and any other days that the governor or general assembly of this state or the president or the congress of the United States shall appoint as holidays for any purpose, days of thanksgiving, or days of solemn fast, shall be school holidays and no session of any school, except as provided in this section, in this state shall be held on any one of these days. Independent schools shall not be required to observe as a holiday the third Monday of January (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-5
§ 16-16-5. Service creditable.
Status: in_force

(a) In calculating service, prior service, or total service as defined in § 16-16-1, every teacher shall be given credit for a year of service for each year in which he or she shall have served as a teacher; provided, that any teacher who through illness or leave of absence without pay does not serve a full school year may receive credit for a full school year of service by paying the full actuarial cost as defined in § 36-8-1(9). Credit for leaves of absence shall be limited, in the aggregate, during the total service of a teacher to a period of four (4) years; provided, however, every teacher who had been required to resign for maternity reasons may receive credit for maternity reasons by making contribution to the system upon her return to teaching the amount she would have contributed to the retirement system, with regular interest, based upon her expected compensation but for her absence due to maternity reasons.

(b) The retirement board shall fix and determine the time when and the conditions under which the payments shall be made.

(c) Any teacher who serves or who has served during a school year the number of days that the public schools are required by law to be in session during the year shall be given credit for a year of service for that year. In determining the number of days served by a substitute teacher the total number of days served in any public school of any city or town in the state may be combined for any one school year. Any teacher shall be entitled to prior service credit for service prior to July 1, 1949, provided the teacher shall have been in service during the school year 1949-1950. The teacher shall be entitled to service credit for any year subsequent to July 1, 1949 in accordance with this chapter, by making contribution to the retirement system of the full actuarial cost for any such service credit.

(d) Any teacher employed in at least a half (Â½) program including a job share program, or working at least half the number of days that the public schools are required to be in session, shall remain a contributing member and shall receive credit for that part-time service on a proportional basis. The purchase of any remaining program or job share time in which the teacher did not work shall not be permitted.

(e) In computing service or in computing compensation, the retirement board shall credit no more than one year of service on account of all service in one calendar year.

(f) Notwithstanding any other section of law, no member of the retirement system shall be permitted to purchase service credit for any portion of a year for which he or she is already receiving service credit in this retirement system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-4.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-4.3
§ 16-22-4.3. Instruction in specially designed physical education.
Status: in_force

(a) Any city or town may enact a municipal ordinance to provide that any specially designed physical education instruction that is provided as part of a students individualized education program (IEP) shall be open to all students choosing to participate; provided that, the student agrees to be incorporated into the specially designed physical education class as a partner to help implement the program and accompany and assist the student who requires the IEP. Partner for purposes of this section means any student who enrolls in a specially designed physical education class that is part of another students IEP to serve as a partner to provide assistance to the student.

(b) Students participating as partners under this section shall receive full credit towards their graduation requirements as a full participant of the physical education class as if the class were offered pursuant to § 16-22-4 and each class hour spent as a partner under this section shall count as an hour of education as required by § 16-22-4.

(c) Participating as a partner under this section shall be subject to procedures regarding eligibility and approval by the individual school administration.

(d) The department of education is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-5.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-38 / Section 16-38-5.1
§ 16-38-5.1. Assignment of identification numbers to students.
Status: in_force

(a) Effective July 1, 2007, no public educational institution, including, but not limited to, the department of elementary and secondary education and the office of higher education, shall assign an individual identification number to a student which is identical to or incorporates the individuals social security number.

(b) No public educational institution shall allow the public display of a students social security number, or any four (4) or more consecutive numbers contained in the individuals social security number for any purpose.

(c) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section, the court may award damages, reasonable attorneys fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff, and afford injunctive relief against any institution which violates or proposes to violate this section.

(d) Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit an educational institutions use of a students social security number when required by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-5-30 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-5 / Section 16-5-30
§ 16-5-30. Withholding of aid for infraction of laws or regulations  Report to general assembly.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may, for violation or neglect of law or for violation or neglect of rules and regulations in pursuance of law by any city or town or city or town officer or school committee, or for nonpayment of tuition owed by one community to another including but not limited to those children in state custody, vocational education, or special education, order the general treasurer to withhold the payment of any portion of the public money that has been or may be apportioned to the city or town; and the general treasurer upon the receipt in writing of the order shall hold the public money due the city or town until the time as the commissioner by writing requests the withheld funds for the purposes of eliminating the violation or neglect of law or regulation that caused the order to be issued, or the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall notify the treasurer that the city or town has complied with the order as the department of elementary and secondary education shall make in the premises, in which case payment shall be made to the town immediately. If the violation is for nonpayment of tuition and it has been determined by the commissioner that the tuition is owed, then the commissioner shall, subject to the debtor communitys right to appeal to the superior court, order the general treasurer to deduct the amount owed from the debtor communitys school aid and to pay the community which is owed the tuition. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall report to the general assembly annually all infractions of school law which shall be brought to its attention, with a record of this action as the department shall have taken in each instance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-1
§ 16-45-1. Establishment  Maintenance.
Status: in_force

The board of regents for elementary and secondary education is authorized and empowered to establish and maintain regional schools for vocational and technological training and instruction with any equipment, apparatus, books, and supplies that shall be necessary for instruction and for proper maintenance of the schools, and for these purposes the department of elementary and secondary education shall appoint and remove necessary instructors, teachers, and other employees, determine their compensation, fix the standards and terms upon which students shall be received and instructed in and discharged from the schools, and make all rules and regulations necessary for the control, management, and operation of the schools.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-39 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-39
§ 16-21-39. Sun safety.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person including, but not limited to, students, parents, or school personnel may possess and use a topical sunscreen product, without a physicians note or prescription, while on school property or at a school-related event, or activity, to avoid overexposure to the sun, if the product is regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use. Notwithstanding the foregoing, children enrolled in grades kindergarten through five (K-5) may only possess sunscreen on school property or at a school-related event or activity with a note from a parent or guardian.

(b) For the purposes of this section only, sunscreen is not to be considered an over-the-counter medication.

(c) Nothing in this section requires school personnel to assist pupils in applying sunscreen. Nothing in this section shall make the school district or its personnel liable for any damages.

(d) The school district may encourage schools to educate pupils on sun safety precautions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-24.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-24.3
§ 16-16-24.3. Substitute teaching and post-retirement teachers. [Expires June 26, 2026]
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any public or general law, or rule or regulation to the contrary, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, any teacher member who has retired under the provisions of this title (education) may exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment and work up to one hundred eighty (180) days during a school year upon:

(1) A determination by the local education authority (LEA) that there exists a specialized need, within the authority, to fill positions on a temporary basis, that may require the LEA to employ retired teachers and exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment;

(2) Retired teacher members being asked to exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment possess the skills, training, and knowledge necessary to help address teacher staffing shortages; and

(3) The local education authority has notified the state retirement board that it has determined that exceeding the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment is necessary to help address teacher staffing shortages. Provided, however:

(i) No employment may be offered to a retiree subject to this section unless the employer has made a good-faith effort each school year to fill the position with a nonretired employee without success, and certifies, in writing, that it has done so to the employees retirement system and to the bargaining agents of all education unions with whom the employer has collective bargaining agreements;

(ii) The LEA provides in its notice to the state retirement board and the bargaining agents the total number of certified teacher positions within the LEA, including the number of teacher positions filled and the number of teacher positions the LEA is seeking to fill; and

(iii) The total number of retired teachers an LEA may hire under the provisions of this section may not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of certified teacher positions reported to the state retirement board by the LEA pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(ii) of this section.

(b) Any teacher member who has retired under the provisions of this title, and has been employed or re-employed under the provisions of this section, shall not be entitled to additional service credits for such employment, and the teacher member shall not be responsible for any contribution to the pension system as a result of the employment; provided, however, the local educational authority shall make the employer contribution for the teacher member as if the district had hired a new teacher member.

(c) A teacher retired under the provisions of this title shall be subject to a ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment during the period of one year after the date of that teachers retirement. Thereafter, that teacher shall be eligible to exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

(d) The provisions of this section shall apply retroactively to June 20, 2025, and shall sunset one year from enactment or on August 1, 2026, whichever shall occur first.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-86-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-86 / Section 16-86-2
§ 16-86-2. Feasibility study for academy.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island board of governors for higher education (RIBGHE), working in collaboration with the office of health and human services (OHHS) and the Rhode Island department of labor and training (RIDLT), shall conduct a study to determine the need for and assess the feasibility of establishing a Rhode Island community supports academy at the Paul V. Sherlock Center at Rhode Island College. This academy would provide education and training for individuals who are interested in functioning in direct support roles for people in Rhode Island with developmental and/or learning disabilities that have special needs.

(b) The feasibility study will include an analysis of need and cost analysis for a 12-18 credit certification program for entry-level workers interested in working with children and adults with special needs. In developing this analysis, (RIBGHE), (OHHS) and (RIDLT) will consider:

(1) The proposed coursework and supervised field placement component for the certificate program;

(2) The employment needs of hospital and community-based settings; home-based services; child and adult day care settings; school settings and other settings that may work with adults and children who have special needs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-39-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-39 / Section 16-39-6
§ 16-39-6. Rules for appeals.
Status: in_force

The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may prescribe rules regulating the time and manner of taking appeals, and rules to prevent appeals for trifling and frivolous causes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-97-1.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-97 / Section 16-97-1.1
§ 16-97-1.1. Purposes of the board of education.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island Board of Education shall be responsible for long-range planning and for coordinating and evaluating policies and programs for the public educational systems of the state. The general assembly finds and declares that the board of education shall have the following purposes:

(a) To develop and adopt educational, financial and operational goals for the education systems of the state that represent achievable benchmarks for a ten-year (10) and twenty-year (20) time frame and that can be implemented by the council on elementary and secondary education, the council on postsecondary education, and the commissioners for elementary and secondary education and postsecondary education;

(b) To ensure that the education systems of the state are aligned with the projected opportunities in workforce development and economic development and that the education systems are preparing students to participate in the future workforce of Rhode Island;

(c) To coordinate programs and courses of study and promote collaboration between and among pre-kindergarten through higher education institutions and agencies, including, but not limited to:

(1) Improving career and college readiness;

(2) Reducing the need for remedial instruction;

(3) Implementing and coordinating common core and other system wide standards;

(4) Ensuring a quality system for adult education and certification programs in secondary school and college.

(d) To present strategic budget and finance recommendations to the council on elementary and secondary education and council on postsecondary education that are aligned with the long-range goals adopted by the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-33 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-33
§ 16-21-33. Safe schools act.
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) Bullying means the use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student that:

(i) Causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the students property;

(ii) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;

(iii) Creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive educational environment for the student;

(iv) Infringes on the rights of the student to participate in school activities; or

(v) Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. The expression, physical act or gesture may include, but is not limited to, an incident or incidents that may be reasonably perceived as being motivated by characteristics such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or mental, physical, or sensory disability, intellectual ability or by any other distinguishing characteristic.

(2) Cyber-bullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, texting or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. For purposes of this section, cyber-bullying shall also include:

(i) The creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person;

(ii) The knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages; or

(iii) The distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of materials on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the creation, impersonation, or distribution results in any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v) of the definition of bullying herein.

(3) At school means on school premises, at any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, on a school-transportation vehicle, at an official school bus stop, using property or equipment provided by the school, or creates a material and substantial disruption of the education process or the orderly operation of the school.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-50-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-50 / Section 16-50-2
§ 16-50-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Correspondence school means a school that teaches resident and nonresident students by mailing them lessons and exercises toward the achievement of some educational aim which upon completion are returned to the school for grading.

(2) Course means any unit, plan, or program of instruction whether conducted in person, by mail, or by any other method by correspondence schools or home study courses.

(3) Home study course means a course of instruction administered by mail and carried on in the students home.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-7
§ 16-11-7. Publication of contracts.
Status: in_force

True copies of all contracts made on behalf of this state pursuant to the agreement shall be kept on file in the office of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and in the office of the secretary of state. The department of elementary and secondary education shall publish all contracts in convenient form.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-94-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-94 / Section 16-94-5
§ 16-94-5. Duties of the council.
Status: in_force

(a) The duties of the family engagement advisory council shall include the following:

(1) The council shall research and generate a series of recommendations on how to develop family engagement policies and practices that meet the following principles and standards for family-school partnerships:

(i) Welcome all families to be active participants in the life of the school, so that they feel valued, connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning in class;

(ii) Communicate effectively by ensuring regular two-way, meaningful communication between family members and local educational agency and school staff in a manner, language, and mode of technology that family members can understand and access;

(iii) Support student success by fostering continuous collaboration between family members and local educational agency and school staff to support student learning and healthy development at school and at home;

(iv) Speak up for every child and empower family members to be advocates for all students within the school;

(v) Share power and assure that family members, local educational agencies, and school staff are equal partners in family engagement decision making;

(vi) Collaborate with community and partner with community organizations and groups to turn the school into a hub of community life;

(vii) Create a continuum of family engagement in student learning and development from cradle to career;

(viii) Train and support superintendents, principals, and teachers to fully engage families in the education of their children;

(ix) Participate in evaluating the effectiveness of family engagement strategies and policies; and

(x) Participate in developing recommendations for creating a positive school climate and safe and healthy schools.

All such recommendations shall be forwarded to the board of regents, governors office, department of education, and local school districts.

(2) Provide assistance and advice to the board of regents, governors office, department of education, and local school districts on family engagement in Rhode Island public schools and the impact on student achievement, communication, partnerships with community and other groups, and school family engagement practices and strategies.

(3) To identify best practices in family engagement in Rhode Island public schools as well as in other states, and to develop recommendations on how to incorporate, implement, or adopt such practices in Rhode Island public schools.

(4) Make recommendations to the board of regents, governors office, department of education, and local school districts, on state resources and materials which could promote and improve family engagement in Rhode Island public schools.

(b) The council shall submit an annual report to the board of regents, the governor, the department of education, and local school districts summarizing the councils activities during the year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-35 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-35
§ 16-21-35. Opioid-related drug overdose  Use of opioid antagonists  Immunity for those administering.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) Opioid antagonist means any drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or disinhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors, including naloxone hydrochloride, also known as Narcan or naloxone.

(2) Opioid-related drug overdose means a condition including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid was combined, or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be an opioid-related drug overdose that requires medical assistance.

(3) School setting means circumstances occurring while at school or at school-sponsored events or activities.

(b) All public and private elementary, middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools, shall provide and maintain on-site in each school facility opioid antagonists, as defined herein.

(c) To treat a case of suspected opioid overdose in a school setting, any trained nurse-teacher may administer an opioid antagonist, during an emergency, to any student or staff suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose whether or not there is a previous history of opioid abuse. School physicians shall prepare standing orders for the procedures to be followed in dealing with a suspected opioid overdose in a school setting. The standing orders shall not require any school nurse-teacher to administer an opioid antagonist.

(d) Opioid antagonists shall be maintained in quantities and types deemed adequate by the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of health, which shall incorporate into their policies, rules, and regulations a procedure for addressing incidents of opioid-related drug overdose in order to provide for the health and safety of children. Any policy, rule, or regulation shall ensure that the opioid antagonist is kept in a conspicuous place, readily available, but with provisions made for the safekeeping and security of the opioid antagonist so that the security of the medication will not be compromised.

(e) Any school nurse-teacher or other school personnel using an opioid antagonist shall be protected from both civil and criminal liability pursuant to the provisions of chapter 28.9 of title 21 (the good samaritan overdose prevention act of 2016).

(f) No school nurse-teacher shall be subject to penalty or disciplinary action for refusing to be trained in the administration of an opioid antagonist.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-113-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-113 / Section 16-113-8
§ 16-113-8. Rules, regulations, and procedures.
Status: in_force

The council on postsecondary education is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the residency policy, and Rhode Island college shall establish appeal procedures for the award, denial, or revocation of funding under the scholarship program. The rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with § 16-59-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-63-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-63 / Section 16-63-14
§ 16-63-14. Appropriations of state funds.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall make certain annual appropriations of state funds, for the purposes of adult education, as part of the total appropriations to the department, as prescribed in § 16-5-22.

(b) The state controller is authorized to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the states obligations arising from this chapter, or so much of the sum as may be required upon receipt by him or her of vouchers properly authenticated by the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-12-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-12 / Section 16-12-7
§ 16-12-7. Maximum school year in state schools.
Status: in_force

(a) No teacher as defined in this section shall be required to teach classes in any of the state institutions named in this section for a maximum of more than one hundred and ninety (190) days in any one school year.

(b) The term teacher as used in this section is deemed to mean every person for whose position a certificate issued by the department of elementary and secondary education is required by law, and who is, or may be, employed by the state in a teaching capacity in any of the various correctional, medical, educational, mental, and any other types of similar public institutions owned and operated by this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-53-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-53 / Section 16-53-10
§ 16-53-10. Trust debts and obligations.
Status: in_force

Debts and obligations of the CTE trust shall not be or constitute a debt of the state, or any department, municipality, or subdivision thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-14
§ 16-92-14. Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution.
Status: in_force

(a) Oversight. (1) The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compacts purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law. (2) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate commission. (3) The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, this compact or promulgated rules.

(b) Default, technical assistance, suspension and termination. If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall:

(1) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states, of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default and any action taken by the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default.

(2) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

(3) If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.

(4) Suspension or termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting states legislature, and each of the member states.

(5) The state which has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination.

(6) The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or which has been suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.

(7) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorneys fees.

(c) Dispute Resolution. (1) The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and which may arise among member states and between member and non-member states. (2) The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

(d) Enforcement. (1) The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact. (2) The interstate commission, may by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action in the United State District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorneys fees. (3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-7
§ 16-62-7. Directors, officers, and employees.
Status: in_force

(a) The powers of the authority shall be vested in a board of directors consisting of six (6) members as follows: five (5) members appointed by the governor from among members of the general public, who are qualified by training or experience in education, finance, or personal investment consulting and made in accordance with subsection (b) of this section as provided in § 16-57-7, all appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the senate; and the general treasurer, ex-officio. The general treasurer may designate a subordinate within his or her department or agency to represent him or her at all meetings of the board.

(b) All members appointed by the governor shall be appointed to terms of five (5) years, and the governor shall, during the month of January preceding the expiration of each term, appoint a member whose term will then next expire. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of a member by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment but only for the remainder of the term of the former member.

(c) The directors shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties under this chapter, but each director shall be reimbursed for his or her reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out those duties. A director may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business.

(d) The board of directors shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson. Four (4) directors shall constitute a quorum and any action to be taken by the authority under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution approved by a majority of the directors present and voting at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present. A vacancy in the membership of the board of directors shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority.

(e) In addition to electing a chairperson, the board of directors shall appoint a secretary and any additional officers and staff members as they shall deem appropriate and shall determine the amount of compensation, if any, each shall receive. The board of directors may appoint a chief executive officer and vest in that person or his or her subordinates the authority to appoint additional staff members and to determine the amount of compensation each individual shall receive.

(f) No fulltime employee shall during the period of his or her employment by the authority engage in any other private employment, profession, or business, including, but not limited to, consulting.

(g) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, it shall not be or constitute a conflict of interest for a director, officer, or employee of any financial institution, investment banking firm, brokerage firm, commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, insurance company, educational institution, or any other firm, person, or corporation to serve as a director of the authority nor shall any contract or transaction between the authority and any financial institution, investment banking firm, brokerage firm, commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, insurance company, educational institution, or any other firm, person, or corporation be void or voidable by reason of any service as director of the authority. If any director, officer, or employee of the authority shall be interested either directly or indirectly, or shall be a director, officer, or employee of or have an ownership interest (other than as the owner of less than one percent (1%) of the shares of a publicly held corporation) in any firm or corporation interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the authority, that interest shall be disclosed to the authority and set forth in the minutes of the authority, and the director, officer, or employee having that interest in it shall not participate on behalf of the authority in the authorization of this contract. Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors of the authority which authorizes the contract or transaction.

(h) Any action taken by the authority under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by vote at any regular or special meeting, and each vote shall take effect immediately.

(i) The board of directors may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees each of which, to the extent authorized by the board of directors, shall have and may exercise all the authority of the board of directors, but no committee shall have the authority of the board of directors in reference to the disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the authority, or amending the bylaws of the authority.

(j) Any action required by this chapter to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or committee of it, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action to be taken, shall be signed before or after that action by all of the directors, or all of the members of the committee.

(k) The board shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex-officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chair of the board. The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the subject area of this chapter and chapters 46 of title 42, 14 of title 36, and 2 of title 38; and the boards rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 46 of title 42, 14 of title 36, and 2 of title 38.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-94-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-94 / Section 16-94-3
§ 16-94-3. Findings of fact.
Status: in_force

(a) Research supports a positive correlation between family engagement with a students school or school district and the performance of the student, school, and district. Students whose parents are involved in their education have better school attendance, earn higher grades and higher test scores, are subject to fewer disciplinary problems, and have a greater long-term success following graduation from high school.

(b) The benefits of greater family engagement also extend to families and teachers. Parents develop more confidence in the school and in themselves as parents. Teachers experience improved morale and receive more support from families.

(c) It is often difficult to obtain a comprehensive amount of feedback from all stakeholders across the educational spectrum when making educational policy. Well-intentioned education-related initiatives which are introduced or produced without sufficient feedback or input from families/guardians of students involved often produces negative feedback from these families/guardians, which results in potentially effective initiatives being interrupted or abandoned altogether.

(d) The creation of a state-wide family engagement advisory council would help to streamline this process and promote the implementation of strong, positive educational initiatives.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-4.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-4.1
§ 16-9-4.1. New school construction  Regulations for technology requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of elementary and secondary education is instructed to develop regulations to ensure that any city, town, or district which undertakes new school construction as defined in this section provides in the planning for necessary wiring which is consistent with current standards for computer networking technology in schools.

(b) The sponsor of any new school construction project or any school project involving the leasing of any portion of an existing building for use as a school shall also comply with the requirements for schools set forth in § 23-19.14-4.

(c) For the purposes of this section, new school construction means:

(1) Any new school buildings.

(2) Additions of any new classrooms to existing school buildings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-99-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-99 / Section 16-99-1
§ 16-99-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Full-Day Kindergarten Accessibility Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-76-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-76 / Section 16-76-2
§ 16-76-2. Policies to respond to sexual harassment  Annual report.
Status: in_force

Every institution of higher learning in the state shall develop a written policy to respond to sexual harassment and shall report to the general assembly on or before February 15 of each year on the status and implementation of that policy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-29-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-29 / Section 16-29-12
§ 16-29-12. Teachers for home classes  Joint maintenance by two or more towns.
Status: in_force

When in any city or town a class of twenty (20) or more persons has been organized in accordance with the provisions of § 16-29-11, the school committee shall provide a teacher for this class, and pay the expenses of instruction from the appropriation of the city or town for the support of the public schools. The school committee of two (2) or more adjoining cities or towns may unite for the purpose of establishing and maintaining classes jointly at convenient places as provided in § 16-29-11, and may determine by agreement what part of the cost of maintenance shall be paid by each city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-1
§ 16-24-1. Duty of school committee to provide special education.
Status: in_force

(a) In any city or town where there is a child with a disability within the age range as designated by the regulations of the state board of education who is functionally limited to such an extent that normal educational growth and development is prevented, the school committee of the city or town where the child resides shall provide the type of special education that will best satisfy the needs of the child with a disability, as recommended and approved by the state board of education in accordance with its regulations governing the education of children with disabilities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other federal or state law or regulation, the school committee where a parentally placed child who has, or develops, a disability in private school resides, shall provide the child with the same free and appropriate education as it provides to children in public schools. These children shall have the same rights and remedies in the regulations of the board of education governing the education of children with disabilities as children in public school relative to initially determining eligibility, implementation, and/or any other rights and remedies relative to any special education services the child may be eligible to receive from the public school district.

(c) For the purpose of this statute, a parentally placed child who has, or develops, a disability in private school is defined as a child enrolled or placed in a private school by the unilateral decision of his or her parents and without consultation of the public school district, who either has, or at some point while at the private school is diagnosed with, a learning disability. Parents who unilaterally enroll their child in a private school are required to pay the tuition costs related to the childs education that are unrelated to the childs disability, and the public school district where the child resides is responsible for payment of the services related to the childs disability as developed and determined in the childs individual education plan.

(d) For the purpose of this statute, a free and appropriate education is defined as special education services and related services that:

(1) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge;

(2) Meet all of the standards and requirements of the state of Rhode Island department of education and requirements of the regulations of the board of education governing the education of children with disabilities, which shall include initial evaluation and determination procedures;

(3) Include preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the state; and

(4) Are provided in conformity with an individualized education program that meets the requirements of the regulations of the board of education governing the education of children with disabilities.

(e) In those cases that an individual education plan has been adopted for a child and the child moves to another town or city, the plan shall remain in effect until a new plan is adopted for the child in the new town or city.

(f) A child with a disability as referenced in subsection (a) of this section shall have available to them any benefits provided by this section up to their twenty-first birthday, in accordance with the students individualized education program (IEP). Provided, in the event such a child with a disability is enrolled in a postsecondary or transitional educational program as part of the services provided to the child by the school committee or local education agency (LEA), and such child reaches twenty-one (21) years of age during a school or program year, then the school committees or LEAs obligation to pay for the postsecondary or transitional program shall continue through to the conclusion of the school or programs academic year, in accordance with the students individualized education program. Not later than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the child turning twenty-one (21) years of age, the local educational agency (LEA) shall provide the child and the parent or guardian with notice explaining the rights under this section that remain in effect at age twenty-one (21). Further, not later than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the child turning twenty-one (21) years of age, the state adult service agencies responsible for planning, funding and providing services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities, including the state office of rehabilitation services (ORS) and the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH), shall provide the child and the parent or guardian with notice of the obligations and responsibilities that the respective agency owes to eligible recipients along with a level of funding and/or an individual support plan for the child twenty-one (21) years of age to receive. This section shall not be used to delay or defer the obligation of a state agency responsible for providing services to this population.

(g) For purposes of providing services under this chapter, special education shall have the same meaning as used in 34 C.F.R. § 300.39 and includes speech-language pathology services for students among the other services and supports provided for therein. The provision of speech-language pathology services shall not cease or be terminated solely because a child has attained nine (9) years of age or greater, if those services are still warranted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-106-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-106 / Section 16-106-6
§ 16-106-6. Accountability  Authority to revise and transparency.
Status: in_force

(a) The commissioner of postsecondary education shall monitor, publish, and report to the council on postsecondary education the level of performance on all metrics identified in accordance with this chapter for the community college of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island college.

(b) The commissioner of postsecondary education, in consultation with the council on postsecondary education, shall revise the metrics at a time when performance has reached a pre-defined level. Future metrics shall further goals identified by the board of education and the governors workforce board, and the applicable purpose and mission of the institution of higher education to which they apply.

(c) Each public higher-education institution shall publish its performance on all of its associated metrics prescribed in this chapter on its website.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-42-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-42 / Section 16-42-3
§ 16-42-3. State advisory committee.
Status: in_force

(a) A state advisory committee shall be established by the department of elementary and secondary education. The committee shall be comprised of not less than fifteen (15) members: one of whom shall be the chairperson of the house finance committee or designee; one of whom shall be the chairperson of the senate finance committee or designee; one of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island association of school superintendents; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the Rhode Island association of school principals; two (2) of whom shall be school teachers; one of whom shall be representative of the state council on the arts; one of whom shall be a representative of a gifted project; two (2) of whom shall be educator representatives of higher education; one of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island association of school committees; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the public who shall be parents; and one of whom shall be representative of business/industry.

(b) In appointing members to the state advisory committee, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall ensure equal access and opportunity for participation to all interested parties. Members of the state advisory committee shall serve without compensation and shall meet a minimum of four (4) times a year. The advisory committee shall advise the commissioner of elementary and secondary education on all matters pertaining to the education of gifted and talented students.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-8
§ 16-16-8. Credit for service as a state or municipal employee.
Status: in_force

(a) Any member who shall have rendered service as a state employee as defined by the provisions of chapter 17 of this title and chapters 8  10 of title 36 or who shall have rendered service as an employee of a participating municipality, as defined by chapter 21 of title 45, shall be entitled to credit for his or her service for the various purposes of this system, provided the member shall have been a contributing member for that period. All contributions made by the member shall be transferred in toto to this system for the periods of service and the retirement system shall calculate the full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer. If the full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer is greater than the total employee contributions transferred, the retirement system shall also transfer the difference between full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer and the employees contributions from the account of the former employer to the account of the current employer. In any case in which a member shall have received a refund or refunds of contributions made to the system, the allowance of the credit for service shall be conditioned upon the repayment of the full actuarial cost as defined in § 36-8-1(10). Any service as defined in this section for which no contributions were made may be granted provided the member pays to the retirement system the full actuarial cost as defined in § 36-8-1(10). The retirement board shall fix and determine the rules and regulations needed to govern the provisions of this section.

(b) Any member who shall have rendered service both as a teacher under § 16-16-12, and service under § 36-10-9.2(a), shall be eligible to elect to combine the members service under § 16-16-12, and service under § 36-10-9.2(a), to determine the members retirement eligibility date under § 16-16-12. For any member making this election, the member will receive a single benefit equal to the accrued benefit computed under § 36-10-10.2, plus the accrued benefit computed under § 16-16-13.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-15 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-15
§ 16-21-15. Eye protective devices.
Status: in_force

(a) Every student and teacher in a public or private school, college, or university participating in any of the courses listed in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be required to wear approved eye protective devices at all times while participating in the courses or laboratories. The devices shall be furnished by their respective schools, colleges, and universities to all students, teachers, and visitors to the following classrooms and laboratories:

(1) Vocational or industrial arts shops or laboratories involving experience with:

(i) Hot molten metals;

(ii) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials;

(iii) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials;

(iv) Gas or electric arc welding;

(v) Repair or servicing of any vehicle;

(vi) Caustic or explosive materials;

(2) Chemical or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive chemicals or hot liquids or solids.

(b) The director of labor and training shall promulgate regulations and standards assuring the use of devices which will protect the eyes of teachers, pupils, and visitors against injury from foreign substances, and each public or private school, college, and university shall, before furnishing eye protective devices, obtain approval of the devices from the director of labor and training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-41 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-41
§ 16-32-41. Conflicts of interest.
Status: in_force

No member of the board of trustees shall be employed in any position under the jurisdiction of the board, nor contract in any manner for any purpose with the board; nor shall the board purchase, sell, or lease any land, property, or supplies from or to any firm or business association of which any member of the board is owner, part owner, or officer or director. No person related by consanguinity or affinity in the first degree to any member of the board shall be employed in any capacity under the boards jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-13
§ 16-92-13. Rulemaking functions of the interstate commission.
Status: in_force

(a) Rulemaking authority. The interstate commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the interstate commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this act, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.

(b) Rulemaking procedure. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that substantially conforms to the Model State Administrative Procedure Act, of 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the interstate commission.

(c) Not later than thirty (30) days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule; provided, that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the interstate commission authority.

(d) If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any compacting state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-100 / Section 16-100-4
§ 16-100-4. Dual enrollment adoption.
Status: in_force

School districts and schools must adopt the statewide dual enrollment policy promulgated pursuant to this section by June 30, 2015. All school districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, approved private day or residential schools and collaborative schools shall be subject to the requirements of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-25 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-25
§ 16-32-25. Establishment of college of pharmacy fund.
Status: in_force

All money received pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3644 of the Public Laws of 1956 shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held by the general treasurer or by the university of Rhode Island foundation, as provided in § 16-32-26, in a special fund the income of which shall be made available to the board of trustees to be applied by it solely for use as scholarship grants in the field of pharmacy and allied sciences, in any manner and under any conditions as the board of trustees for higher education may determine. The board of trustees for higher education is authorized and empowered, from time to time, as occasion may require, to draw on the general treasurer or on the university of Rhode Island foundation, for the annual income of the fund, or so much of this amount as may be necessary, to carry out this objective.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-31 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-31
§ 16-2-31. School crossing guard equipment.
Status: in_force

All municipal school systems in this state shall provide flags, belts, apparel, and devices to children acting in the capacity of school crossing guards, and this equipment shall be made from retro-reflective and/or fluorescent materials visible both day and night at three hundred feet (300²) to approaching motorists using lawful low beam headlights.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-8
§ 16-62-8. Loans to minors.
Status: in_force

Any person qualifying for an eligible loan shall not be disqualified to receive the loan made for or guaranteed by the authority by reason of his being a minor. For the purpose of applying for, securing, receiving, and repaying this loan, any person shall be deemed to have full legal capacity to act and shall have all the rights, powers, privileges, and obligations of a person of full age and respect to it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-72-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-72 / Section 16-72-3
§ 16-72-3. Allocation and administration of grants  Capital projects.
Status: in_force

(a) For the duration of the program, each institution of public higher education shall be eligible to receive one-third ( ) of the funds estimated to be available by the director of administration. Provided, in no instance shall amounts allocated by the board of governors exceed those estimated to be available by the director of administration. The amount allocated to the institutions by the board of governors for higher education shall be in the following manner: Each institution which raises contributions for capital projects of no less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) each shall receive a matching grant equal to thirty-three percent (33%) of the private contribution for each and every contribution.

(b) For the purposes of determining the amount of a matching grant, multiple grants from a single individual, corporation, or foundation within a twelve (12) month period shall be matched at the total amount of the contribution made for the purposes of this section. Each institutions foundation shall establish its own Rhode Island capital fund as a depository for private contributions and state matching funds as provided in this section. State matching funds shall be transferred to an institutional foundation upon notification that the institution has received and deposited a proportionate amount specific in this section.

(c) The foundation serving the institution shall have the responsibility for the maintenance and investment of its capital fund and for the administration of the program for the institution. The government board of each foundation shall be responsible for assisting in the solicitation of gifts and for receiving gifts to be used as funds to be deposited and matched within the challenge grants for the establishment of the capital fund for each institution. Each foundation shall include in its annual report to the board of governors for higher education information concerning collection and investment of donations and matching grants of the capital fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-93-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-93 / Section 16-93-1
§ 16-93-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(1) On November 4, 1988, the United States government ratified the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Upon ratification, the United States government recognized that throughout all periods of history, genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity, and was convinced that, in order to liberate mankind from such an odious scourge, international co-operation was required.

(2) The United States government recognizes that genocide still continues, today, in the twenty-first (21st) century. The United States Congress passed House Con. Resolution 467, Declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan on July 22, 2004. On September 9, 2004, the United States Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell, told the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee that genocide has occurred and may still be occurring in Darfur. Additionally, President George W. Bush affirmed the Secretary of States finding on September 21, 2004, when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly by saying: At this hour, the world is witnessing terrible suffering and horrible crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, crimes my government has concluded are genocide.

(3) The United States Department of Education says education is primarily a state and local responsibility in the United States. It is states and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges and develop curricula .... 

(4) The state of Rhode Island also has previously demonstrated its concerns and interests regarding raising awareness on the subjects of holocaust and genocide.

(i) In 2000, the Rhode Island general assembly passed house bill no. 7397, Genocide and Human Rights Education, requiring the Rhode Island department of education to develop curricular material on genocide and human rights issues and guidelines for the teaching of that material.

(ii) In 2007, the Rhode Island general assembly passed house bill No. 5142, requiring the state investment commission to divest its assets from targeted companies in Sudan.

(iii) In 2011, the state of Rhode Island enacted an act entitled Genocide Education in Secondary Schools (Chapters 45 and 70 of the Public Laws of 2011) which emphasized a need to adhere to making genocide curriculum materials available including, but not limited to, the Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia, and Darfur.

(iv) The general assembly has passed a number of resolutions condemning the Holocaust.

(v) The general assembly, on the 100th commemoration of the Armenian mass killings, declared it a genocide. (Resolution No. 198 passed by the house of representatives at its January session A.D. 2015 and approved April 8, 2015, entitled House Resolution Proclaiming April 24, 2015, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923 and in Honor of Armenian-Americans and Resolution No. 217 passed by the senate at its January session A.D. 2015 and approved April 15, 2015, entitled Senate Resolution Proclaiming April 24, 2015, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923 and in Honor of Armenian-Americans.)

(vi) The governor, legislators, and community leaders attended and participated at the Holocaust memorial dedication in 2015 whereby a need was recognized for education on the topic of holocaust and genocide in Rhode Island schools.

(5) The establishment of free public education in the United States is intended to prepare citizens for participation in American social, economic, and political activities.

(6) The state of Rhode Island has also previously demonstrated its concerns for civic education, of which genocide education should be a component. In 2005, the general assembly directed the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to develop and adopt a set of grade level standards in civic education by August 31, 2007.

(7) Given the importance of the issue of genocide to the political affairs of the United States, as well as the responsibility of the state to educate its citizens, it is a fundamental responsibility of the state of Rhode Island to ensure that the critical subject of genocide is included as part of the curriculum in all public schools.

(8) It is the judgment of the Rhode Island general assembly that the board of education in the state shall include instruction on the subjects of holocaust and genocide studies, where appropriate in the curriculum, for all middle and high school students.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-23.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-23.1
§ 16-21-23.1. Model school safety plans and checklists  Development and dissemination.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be the duty of the department of elementary and secondary education to collaborate with the Rhode Island emergency management agency, state police, state fire marshal, the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and other safety officials to develop a model school safety plan to be consulted by school safety teams in accordance with § 16-21-23. This model plan shall be based on best practices in school safety planning and the department of elementary and secondary education shall communicate the plan electronically to all school committees and school safety teams in the state.

(b) It shall be the duty of the department of elementary and secondary education to develop and disseminate school safety check lists that school districts can use on a regular basis and at least annually to assess the strengths and weaknesses of school safety in accordance with § 16-21-24. The check lists shall incorporate best practices in school safety planning and the department of elementary and secondary education shall communicate the plan electronically to all school committees and school safety teams in the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-6
§ 16-11-6. Designated state official.
Status: in_force

The designated state official for this state shall be the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The commissioner is hereby authorized to enter into contracts pursuant to article III of the agreement in § 16-11-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-20 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-20
§ 16-62-20. Supplemental nature of powers  Issuance of bonds and notes governed by this chapter.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall restrict or limit the powers of the authority arising under any laws of this state. This chapter shall be construed to provide a complete additional and alternative method for doing the things authorized by it and shall be regarded as supplemental and in addition to the powers conferred by other laws. The issuance of all bonds, notes, and other obligations of the authority under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other statute applicable to the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations. No proceedings or notice of approval shall be required for the issuance of any bonds, notes, and other obligations or any instruments of security for these except as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-17 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-17
§ 16-3-17. Capital outlay debt limitation.
Status: in_force

The regional school district financial meeting or regional representatives under the provisions of § 16-3-14 shall be subject to the statutory debt limit for incurring debt for capital outlay purposes in those regional school districts embracing all the educational functions of the area to ten percent (10%) of the full valuation of the taxable real property within the district as determined by the department of administration. If this results in increasing the debt requirements over the debt limits of any town or city which represents less than half (Â½) of the true valuation of the regional school district, this shall not be considered as a violation of the debt limit in the town or city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-29-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-29 / Section 16-29-2
§ 16-29-2. Day continuation schools.
Status: in_force

The school committee of any city or town may establish and maintain one or more public day continuation schools for the teaching of the English language and American citizenship, at which any person beyond compulsory school age, resident in the city or town, may attend free of expense, or may make provisions, at the expense of the city or town, for the attendance of these persons in continuation schools in other cities or towns.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-8.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-8.1
§ 16-16-8.1. Purchase of service credits payable by installment.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or of any other public or general law to the contrary, the retirement board shall permit individuals who purchase service credit to do so in installments. The retirement board shall create, by rule and regulation, provisions allowing that individuals purchasing service credit may do so on an installment plan by payroll deduction not to exceed five (5) years, provided that all purchases must be made prior to retirement. The retirement board shall charge interest at the actuarial assumed rate of return adopted by the board for purchases made on an installment plan.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-82-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-82 / Section 16-82-5
§ 16-82-5. Calculation of targeted aid.
Status: in_force

Districts shall be eligible for aid based on the proportion that their average daily membership bears to the total average daily membership of districts eligible for aid in accordance with § 16-7.1-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-26 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-26
§ 16-3-26. Appropriation for regionalization studies.
Status: in_force

The cost of conducting the studies required under § 16-3-3.1 shall be borne by an annual state appropriation. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall establish regulations necessary to implement this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-2
§ 16-2-2. City and town schools required  School year  Location  Kindergartens.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except as specifically provided in this section, every city or town shall establish and maintain for at least one hundred eighty (180) days annually or the equivalent thereof, exclusive of holidays, a sufficient number of schools in convenient places under the control and management of the school committee and under the supervision of the Rhode Island Board of Education. In lieu of a convenient location, the school committee may provide transportation for pupils to and from school in accordance with the provisions of chapter 21 of this title. Provided, that a school district may establish a school year that is the equivalent of one hundred eighty (180) days through the use of longer school days or combination of longer and shorter school days in terms of school hours, or pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and that may total less than one hundred eighty (180) separate days, so long as through the use of longer school days or through the use of a combination of longer and shorter school days, the school district annually provides a minimum of one thousand eighty (1,080) school hours in a single school year. For purposes of clarification, the intent herein is to permit school districts flexibility in the delivery of educational services, but to ensure that in doing so, school districts shall still provide one thousand eighty (1,080) school hours in a single school year and shall still provide any instructional hours minimum in a single school year. Provided, however, that the flexibility granted herein also applies to a daily instructional hours minimum otherwise required by the Rhode Island Board of Education or by the department of elementary and secondary education. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit a school district from exceeding the minimum amounts of days and hours set forth herein.

(2) School districts intending to make use of the flexibility provided herein shall submit a detailed school day plan and a proposed school calendar to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for approval. The commissioner shall review the submitted school day plan and the submitted calendar to determine whether the plan and calendar are academically sound and fiscally efficient. The commissioner shall not unreasonably deny the plan and/or the calendar.

(3) Professional development, including common planning time, is critically important to provide the best instruction for students, meet legislative requirements, and maintain best practices. For this reason, districts are allowed the flexible use early release days; provided that districts meet the yearly requirement of one thousand eighty (1,080) school hours.

(b) School facilities shall include a sufficient number of kindergartens.

(c) On or before December 1, 2017, the department of elementary and secondary education shall establish a policy that allows a school district to submit a detailed plan, at any time, to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education that would allow the schools to conduct instruction through virtual education when the schools have been closed due to inclement weather or other emergency. The plan for virtual education would be subject to, and require approval by, the council on elementary and secondary education in order to count as a school day.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-8
§ 16-92-8. Graduation.
Status: in_force

In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of military families states and local education agencies shall incorporate the following procedures:

(1) Waiver requirements. Local education agency administrative officials shall waive specific courses required for graduation if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed in another local education agency or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, the local education agency shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time.

(2) Exit exams. States shall accept: (i) exit or end-of-course exams required for graduation from the sending state; or (ii) national norm-referenced achievement tests; or (iii) alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state. In the event the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a student transferring in his or her senior year, then the provisions of subdivision (3) of this section shall apply.

(3) Transfers during senior year. Should a military student transferring at the beginning or during his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving local education agencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency, if the student meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education agency. In the event that one of the states in question is not a member of this compact, the member state shall use best efforts to facilitate the on-time graduation of the student in accordance with subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-29 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-29
§ 16-22-29. Field trips to nature preserve, reserve, or conservatory.
Status: in_force

The general assembly recognizes the importance of a citizenry well educated in the principles of nature and our environment, as well as the general assemblys duty to provide for the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the state, as enunciated in the constitution of the state of Rhode Island. In light of this, public schools of this state, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through and including grade twelve (12), are encouraged to use their best efforts to provide access to every student to at least one field trip to a nature preserve, reserve, or conservatory.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-2
§ 16-60-2. Appointment of board members.
Status: in_force

(a) The governor shall establish the council on elementary and secondary education by appointing eight (8) members of the board of education established pursuant to chapter 97 of this title to serve as members of the council until the expiration of their term and appointment of their successor as a member of the board of education. The chair of the board of education shall serve on the council in a voting, ex-officio capacity. Five (5) voting members of the council shall constitute a quorum and the vote of the majority of those present and voting shall be required for action. The governor shall appoint the chair of the council on an annual basis from among the eight (8) council members.

(b) In addition to the eight (8) members appointed by the governor, the Rhode Island teacher of the year shall serve on the council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to § 16-97-1(c) and (d).

(c) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board after the effective date of this act [March 24, 2006] unless he or she is a resident of this state, with the exception of the individual serving in the ex officio seat as Rhode Island teacher of the year.

(d) There is hereby established a student advisory council to the council on elementary and secondary education, consisting of one elected high school student representative from each public secondary school in the state of Rhode Island.

(1) Each public secondary school shall hold elections for its representative to the student advisory council no earlier than the first (1st) day of March and no later than the end of the second (2nd) full week of April. Each school shall elect only one representative. Elected members shall be notified of their election on or before the Friday of the third (3rd) week of April of the year of their election. No person shall be eligible to be elected to the student advisory council unless at the time of his or her election he or she is enrolled as a student in a secondary school between the grades of nine (9) and eleven (11) within the state of Rhode Island. No person shall be allowed to vote if they are not currently enrolled in a Rhode Island public secondary school between the grades of nine (9) and eleven (11). If at any time during his or her term of office a member of the student advisory council ceases to be so enrolled, his or her membership shall be terminated and his or her position shall be deemed vacant. This vacancy shall be filled by the public secondary school within thirty (30) school days of the opening of the vacancy.

(2) The student advisory council will serve from the first (1st) day of May of the year it is elected until the last day of April of the following year. A student may serve no more than three (3) terms.

(3) Said student advisory council shall meet from time to time and shall consider such matters as it deems appropriate.

(4) Prior to the first (1st) day of June of each annual session the student advisory council shall adopt a set of bylaws.

(5) Members of the council shall not be compensated for service in attending meetings except that they shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in traveling to and from meetings.

(6) The members of said student advisory council shall, by majority vote prior to the first (1st) day of June in each year, elect from their members a chairperson who shall serve for a term of one year beginning on the first (1st) day of June. Said chairperson shall serve as an ex officio and nonvoting member of the council for a term of one year, unless the student advisory council removes said chairperson from his or her position in a manner described within the bylaws of that council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-30 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-30
§ 16-16-30. Parents benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) Parents benefits are payable to the parent or parents of a deceased member if the member did not leave a widow, widower, or child who could ever qualify for monthly benefits on the members wages and the parent:

(1) Has reached the age of sixty (60) years;

(2) Has not remarried or entered into a domestic partnership after the death of the member;

(3) Was receiving at least one-half (Â½) of his or her support from the member at the time of the members death and filed proof of his or her support within two (2) years of the date of death; and

(4) Is not entitled to a federal or state old age benefit based on his or her own earnings equal to or greater than the amount he or she would be entitled to as the dependent parent of the deceased member.

(b) A parents benefit shall be payable monthly in accordance with the benefits set forth in § 16-16-26.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-29 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-29
§ 16-7-29. Minimum salary schedule.
Status: in_force

(a) Every municipality and regional school district shall establish and put into full effect by appropriate action of its school committee in a municipality or regional school district where the school committee is elected, or by appropriate action of the chief executive officer, in a municipality where the school committee is appointed, a salary schedule recognizing years of service, experience, and training for all certified personnel regularly employed in the public schools and having no more than twelve (12) annual steps. The term school year as applied to the salary schedule means the ten (10) calendar months beginning in September and ending the following June.

(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a freeze or reduction of the monetary value of the steps in the salary schedule through the collective bargaining process.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-26-7.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-26 / Section 16-26-7.1
§ 16-26-7.1. Regional hearing impaired programs.
Status: in_force

(a) Each city and town may contract with the Rhode Island School for the Deaf to establish and operate programs for the hearing impaired.

(b) When these programs are operated by the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, each participating city or town shall be assessed for the cost of the program in the proportion that their enrollment bears to the total enrollment in the program. The assessments shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account for the purpose of funding expenditures necessary to operate the regional program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-67-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-67 / Section 16-67-7
§ 16-67-7. State advisory council.
Status: in_force

A state advisory council shall be established by the department of elementary and secondary education. The council shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, to be appointed by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and be representative of the population to be served or have demonstrated an interest in programs for educationally disadvantaged students. In appointing members to the state advisory council, the commissioner shall ensure that membership be broadly representative of the school population and include representation by teachers, parents, administrators, and school board members. Members of the state advisory council shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner, shall serve without compensation, and shall be residents of the state. The advisory council shall advise the commissioner on all matters pertaining to the literacy and dropout prevention program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-22 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-22
§ 16-7-22. Determination of average daily membership.
Status: in_force

Each community shall be paid pursuant to the provisions of § 16-7-17 an amount based upon the following provisions:

(1) On or before September 1 of each year the average daily membership of each city and town for the reference year shall be determined by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education from data supplied by the school committee in each community in the following manner: The aggregate number of days of membership of all pupils enrolled full time in grade twelve (12) and below, except that pupils below grade one who are not full time shall be counted on a full-time equivalent basis: (i) Increased by the aggregate number of days of membership of pupils residing in the particular city or town whose tuition in schools approved by the department of elementary and secondary education in other cities and towns is paid by the particular city or town; and (ii) Decreased by the aggregate number of days of membership of nonresident pupils enrolled in the public schools of the particular city or town; and (iii) Decreased further, in the case of a city or town that is a member of a regional school district during the first year of operation of the regional school district by the aggregate number of days of membership of pupils residing in the city or town who would have attended the public schools in the regional school district if the regional school district had been operating during the previous year, divided by the number of days during which the schools were officially in session during the reference year. The resulting figures shall be the average daily membership for the city or town for the reference year. For purposes of calculating the permanent foundation education aid as described in §§ 16-7.2-3(a)(1) and 16-7.2-3(a)(2), the average daily membership for school districts shall exclude charter school and state school students, and beginning in school year 2014-2015, include an estimate to ensure that districts converting from a half-day to a full-day kindergarten program pursuant to § 16-99-4 are credited on a full-time basis beginning in the first year of enrollment and are funded notwithstanding the transition plan pursuant to § 16-7.2-7.

(2) The average daily membership of pupils attending public schools shall apply for the purposes of determining the percentage of the states share under the provisions of §§ 16-7-16(3), 16-7-16(10), 16-7-18, 16-7-19, 16-7-20, 16-7-21, and 16-7.2-4.

(3) In the case of regional school districts, the aggregate number of days of membership by which each city or town is decreased in subsection (1)(iii) of this section, divided by the number of days during which the schools attended by the pupils were officially in session, shall determine the average daily membership for the regional school district during the first year of operation. After the first year of operation, the average daily membership of each regional school district, except the Chariho regional high school district, shall be determined by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education from data supplied by the school committee of each regional school district for the reference year in the manner provided in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) [Deleted by P.L. 2025, ch. 278, art. 7, § 1.]
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-28 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-28
§ 16-7-28. Separate revenue and expenditure records kept by school communities.
Status: in_force

The communities shall provide for the keeping of separate revenue and expenditure records for all school purposes including capital expenditures on any forms and in any manner that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may prescribe.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-4-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-4 / Section 16-4-3
§ 16-4-3. State funds forfeited by cities or towns.
Status: in_force

Whenever any money appropriated to any city or town from the state treasury, for the support of its public schools shall have been forfeited by the city or town, the money shall be added to the school fund, and shall forever remain a part of the school fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-97-1.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-97 / Section 16-97-1.2
§ 16-97-1.2. Powers and duties of the board of education.
Status: in_force

The board of education shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To develop and adopt a strategic plan defining broad goals and objectives for education in the state. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of the future educational attainment of the population, quality of life and economy of Rhode Island, including but not limited to what children, men and women should know and be able to do as a result of their educational experience and the contributions of education to meeting the workforce and economic development needs of Rhode Island. The board shall approve the strategic plans for elementary and secondary education and postsecondary education in terms of the alignment of these strategic plans with the overall strategic plan of the board of education. The board shall continuously evaluate the efforts of the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on postsecondary education to implement the strategic plans and shall review the results of education in the light of these objectives;

(b) To prepare and maintain a five (5) year strategic funding plan for all levels of education in Rhode Island. The board shall determine priorities of expenditures for public education purposes of state revenues and other public resources made available for the support of public education and direct the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on postsecondary education to implement those priorities when developing the annual budget for elementary and secondary education and higher education. The councils shall present their annual budgets to the board for its review and approval. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall authorize the board to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise provided by law;

(c) To develop and submit to the general assembly for approval a performance funding formula for public higher education that furthers the purposes of the board and ensures that all students may achieve educational excellence;

(d) To develop policies that maximize the potential of collaboration from elementary and secondary education through higher education systems and that improve efficiencies at all levels of the education system through improved coordination of activities;

(e) To embrace the legislative findings regarding virtual education established by § 16-22.1-2 and adopt goals and policies that address these findings and to encourage the council on elementary and secondary education and the council for postsecondary education to develop and or improve virtual learning experiences for Rhode Island students;

(f) To approve the appointment of a commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(g) To approve the appointment of a commissioner of postsecondary education.

(h) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified board members within six (6) months of their qualification. The course shall be developed by the chairperson of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board. The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38; and the boards own rules.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-80-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-80 / Section 16-80-5
§ 16-80-5. Local partnerships.
Status: in_force

(a) Local partnerships will be developed to provide a framework within which local districts or consortia can develop school-to-work strategies which will:

(1) Be integrated with education reform and school improvement efforts;

(2) Offer opportunities for all students to participate in education and training programs that will prepare students for high skill, high wage careers and result in certification of knowledge and skills through a process such as a certificate of initial mastery and a certificate of advanced mastery recognized by both the education and business communities;

(3) Increase opportunities for continuing education, two (2) year or four (4) year colleges and other technical education experiences;

(4) Engage families in multiple roles to support and enhance opportunities for children to transition from school to work and to develop in-depth partnerships with businesses, colleges, families and community organizations to offer technical and substantive student workplace experiences for schools;

(5) Be part of the states comprehensive education reform;

(6) Be integrated with the states school-to-work plan;

(7) Be integrated with the states workforce development plan and economic reform initiative;

(8) Offer opportunities for all students to participate in performance-based education and training programs that will:

(i) Enable students to earn portable credentials;

(ii) Prepare the students for first jobs in high skill, high wage careers; and

(iii) Increase their opportunities for further education, including education in a four (4) year college or university.

(9) Utilize workplace as active learning environments in the educational process by making employers and labor organizations joint partners with educators in providing opportunities for all students to participate in high quality, work-based learning experiences;

(10) Build on and advance existing promising practices;

(11) Be integrated with the local partnerships established through the local educational collaboratives and their transition centers.

(b) In developing the school-to-work system, the emphasis shall be on a structure that is flexible to meet local school needs and is available to students as needed and appropriate. Students and parents shall be involved in the students choices of career paths. The human resource investment councils school-to-work subcommittee, for the purpose of successfully establishing and implementing the school-to-work system, shall endeavor to obtain the cooperation of employers, employees, unions, the commission on higher education, post-secondary institutions and school districts.

(c) Programs and opportunities developed under this chapter shall not impair existing collective bargaining relationships, displace current employees, prevent rehiring laid-off employees, or impair promotion or job training opportunities for current employees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-4
§ 16-92-4. Applicability.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection b. of this section, this compact shall apply to the children of:

(1) Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this chapter, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1209 and 1211;

(2) Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement; and

(3) Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after death.

(b) The provisions of this interstate compact shall only apply to local education agencies as defined in this chapter.

(c) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the children of:

(1) Inactive members of the national guard and military reserves;

(2) Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in subsection (a) of this section;

(3) Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in subsection (a) of this section; and

(4) Other U.S. Dept. of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-27 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-27
§ 16-16-27. Family benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) Family benefits shall be payable upon the decease of the member as provided in §§16-16-25 through 16-16-38 if at the time of the members death the surviving spouse or domestic partner:

(1) Has in his or her care a child of the deceased member entitled to child benefits;

(2) Is not entitled to a spouses or domestic partners benefit as provided in this chapter; and

(3) Was living with the deceased member at the time of his or her death.

(b) Family benefits shall be payable in accordance with the following table.

The monthly benefit shall be equal to the benefit that would be available to a spouse or domestic partner under §16-16-26 multiplied by the following percentages:

(c) Family benefits as set forth in this section are payable to the former spouse or to a former domestic partner divorced of a deceased member, if the former spouse or to a former domestic partner divorced:

(1) Has in his or her care a child of the deceased member who is his or her son, daughter, or legally adopted child entitled to child benefits payable on the basis of the deceased members salary;

(2) Was receiving from the deceased member, pursuant to agreement or court order, at least one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of his or her support at the time of the deceased members death;

(3) Is not entitled to a spouses or domestic partners benefit as provided in §§16-16-25 through 16-16-38.

(d) The family monthly benefit shall be payable in accordance with the table set forth in this section. A spouse or domestic partner who no longer qualifies for benefits under this section because his or her child or children have attained the age of eighteen (18) years or twenty-three (23) years and a full time student shall be entitled to receive monthly benefits upon attaining sixty (60) years of age in accordance with the benefits set forth in §16-16-26. The family benefits provided under this section shall cease upon the remarriage of the surviving spouse or domestic partner or establishment of a domestic partnership.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-55-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-55 / Section 16-55-1
§ 16-55-1. Educational benefits for persons over sixty.
Status: in_force

Any person who is a permanent resident of this state and who submits proof sufficient to establish his age of sixty (60) years or older and whose household income is less than three (3) times the federal poverty level as established by the U.S. department of health and human services shall be entitled to take courses at any public institution of higher education in the state without the payment of tuition, exclusive of other fees and charges; provided, that any person eligible for financial aid, as determined by the institution of higher education, shall apply for the financial aid. Any financial aid award received by the applicant shall be applied toward the full amount of tuition that would have been charged by the public institution of higher education. Admission into particular courses will be granted upon a space available basis and shall be at the discretion of the particular institutions to which application is made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-85-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-85 / Section 16-85-2
§ 16-85-2. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The general assembly hereby finds, determines and declares that when a student is a victim of dating violence, his or her academic life suffers and his or her safety at school is jeopardized. The general assembly therefore finds that a policy to create an environment free of dating violence shall be a part of each school district. It is the intent of the general assembly to enact legislation that would require each school district to establish a policy for responding to incidents of dating violence and to provide dating violence education to students, parents, staff, faculty and administrators, in order to prevent dating violence and to address incidents involving dating violence. All students have a right to work and study in a safe, supportive environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and violence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-38 / Section 16-38-14
§ 16-38-14. Use of school district listservs.
Status: in_force

(a) Each school district shall adopt a policy governing the use of any listserv to distribute information to the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, educational or otherwise, to knowingly circulate, or permit to be circulated, on any such listserv information:

(1) Related to any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party or candidate for federal, state, or municipal office; or

(2) Promoting the solicitation or receipt of political contributions, including invitations to fundraising events, for any political party or candidate; provided, however, this section shall not prohibit the distribution of information about a candidate public forum that is open on an equal basis to all candidates for that office.

(c) Any person or institution found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a civil fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).

(d) For purposes of this section, listserv means a computer software application that allows a sender to send one email to a list, and then transparently send it on to the addresses of all subscribers to the list.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-5
§ 16-2-5. Composition of city or town school committees  Election and terms of members  Vacancies.
Status: in_force

The school committee of each city or town shall consist of three (3) residents of the city or town, or of any number as at the present time constitute the committee. In cities or towns having annual elections of city or town officers the committee shall be divided as equally as may be into three (3) classes whose several terms of office shall expire at the end of three (3) years from the dates of their respective elections. In cities or towns having biennial elections the committee shall be divided as equally as may be into two (2) classes whose several terms of office shall expire at the end of four (4) years from the dates of their respective elections. As the office of each class shall become vacant, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the city or town at its regular city or town meeting for the election of state or city or town officers, or by the city or town council at its next meeting after this. In case of a vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise than as is provided in this section, the vacancy shall be filled by the city or town council until the next regular city or town meeting for the election of state or city or town officers, when it shall be filled for the unexpired term as is provided in this section. This section shall not apply to the cities of Providence, Central Falls, Woonsocket, or the towns of Coventry and North Smithfield.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-48-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-48 / Section 16-48-1
§ 16-48-1. Applicability.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall pertain to any program of educational services to children between the ages of three (3) and five (5) years of age that is offered by any public school that has been approved pursuant to §§ 16-1-5 and 16-60-6 and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-1
§ 16-3-1. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to assist communities within the state to operate schools on a more efficient and economic basis through the development of regional school districts and to enhance the services of the schools in line with present day needs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-73-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-73 / Section 16-73-5
§ 16-73-5. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of child opportunity zones is to implement programs related to the specific community needs that ultimately increase student performance in school. The child opportunity zone shall provide a means to integrate education, health, and social services into schools and link families to the school and community resources. The child opportunity zone may operate programs, including, but not limited to: early childhood initiatives; before-school, after-school and summer enrichment; family engagement initiatives; adult education and family literacy programs based upon community needs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-39 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-39
§ 16-32-39. Longevity payments  Non-classified employees.
Status: in_force

(a) The non-classified employees of the board of trustees, except for faculty employees and except for non-classified employees already receiving longevity increases, shall be entitled to a longevity payment in the amount of five percent (5%) of base salary after ten (10) years of service and increasing to a total of ten percent (10%) of base salary after twenty (20) years of service. The provisions of this section will apply only to employees with a pay grade under nineteen (19). The longevity payments shall not be included in base salary.

(b) The board of trustees is authorized to promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of this section.

(c) Beginning on July 1, 2011, notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or provision of the public laws or general laws to the contrary, there shall be no further longevity increases for employees of the board of trustees; provided, however, for employees with longevity provisions pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 1, 2011, longevity increases shall cease beginning on July 1, 2011, or beginning upon the expiration of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, whichever occurs later. To the extent an employee has previously accrued longevity payments, the amount of the longevity payment earned by the employee for the last pay period in June, 2011, shall be added to the employees base salary as of June 30, 2011, or in the case of an employee with longevity provisions pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 1, 2011, the amount of the longevity payment earned by the employee for the latter of the last pay period in June or the last pay period prior to the expiration of the applicable collective bargaining agreement shall be added to the employees base salary as of June 30, 2011, or upon the expiration of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, whichever occurs later.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-43-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-43 / Section 16-43-2
§ 16-43-2. Administration of program.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education may enter into any agreements with any agency of the federal government, any school committee, or any other agency or person, may prescribe any regulations, employ any personnel, and take any action that it may deem necessary to provide for the establishment, maintenance, operation, and expansion of any educational program under 20 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq., and to direct the disbursement of federal and state funds in accordance with existing provisions of the federal and state laws. The department of elementary and secondary education may give technical advice and assistance to any school committee in connection with the establishment and operation of any program and may assist in training personnel engaged in the operation of these programs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-66-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-66 / Section 16-66-4
§ 16-66-4. Operations.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education shall:

(1) Establish policies and procedures for the institute consistent with this chapter.

(2) Carry out the following responsibilities:

(i) Receive, process, and approve requests for in-service education program grants;

(ii) Inform all school systems of opportunities and resources available for in-service education;

(iii) Help to create new and productive relationships among colleges, collaboratives, school systems, and others concerned with in-service education;

(iv) Maintain an in-service resource file;

(v) Work with school staffs as they prepare their program grant proposals;

(vi) Consult with the advisory board in the development of new ways of providing in-service education;

(vii) Provide staff to work with the advisory board;

(viii) Monitor funded institute programs.

(3) Fund the operation of the institute and institute programs with income from the following sources:

(i) Those federal categorical funds available to the department and designated for in-service education, though a certain amount of these funds may be retained by the department for state in-service programs.

(ii) Any funds that may be appropriated for the institute by the general assembly.

(iii) Other funds from governmental and non-governmental sources which may be made available to the department for the purpose of funding the institute.

(iv) Institute programs and program grants. The initiative for applying for institute grants to conduct in-service programs rests with school personnel who have a common objective and a plan to meet that objective through in-service education. Once an institute program is approved and funded by the department, its operation is the responsibility of the initiating group. Programs shall be approved, funded, and operated on the following principles:

(A) Institute programs will be designed to meet federal guidelines, state priorities, and/or local needs as identified by local school staff.

(B) Institute programs should help groups with shared objectives and responsibilities to improve the instructional program or educational services offered in their schools.

(C) Members of school staffs or others who will be directly affected by the in-service programs must be invited to participate.

(D) Participation in in-service programs will be voluntary.

(E) Participants will plan their own programs, determine program format, choose consultants, and monitor and adapt programs in progress.

(F) Institute programs should respond to a diversity of school, staff, and student needs, and consultants recommended for their demonstrated capacity to help achieve program goals may come from a wide variety of fields (e.g., business, health, government, the arts, education). Institute programs will encourage new and productive relationships between schools, their communities, and the society at large.

(G) Administrators, teachers, related services personnel, or others whose support is essential to achieving and sustaining program goals should be actively involved in the program and implementation of its objectives.

(H) Programs will be offered on site unless participants determine otherwise.

(I) Professional recognition for participation in Rhode Island school staff institute programs will be determined on the local level.

(J) The department of elementary and secondary education will encourage schools to provide incentives for participation.

(K) The awarding of academic credit, if any, will be decided by participating institution(s) in consultation with the participants.

(L) Consultants who conduct the in-service will be evaluated by participants.

(M) The department of elementary and secondary education will fund only those programs that give evidence of participatory planning and that use resources and consultants of high quality.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-36 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-36
§ 16-2-36. Orientation.
Status: in_force

All public schools shall, prior to September 1 of each year, make every effort to provide written notice to parents, guardians, or caretakers of students inviting those parents, guardians, or caretakers to attend orientation at the school within thirty (30) days from the start of the school year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-38 / Section 16-38-12
§ 16-38-12. Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

Every person violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty (30) days unless provided in this section; provided, that the penalty shall not apply to §§ 16-38-4 to 16-38-6.