R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-19 / Section 16-19-1
§ 16-19-1. Attendance required.
Status: in_force

(a) Every child who has completed, or will have completed, six (6) years of life on or before September 1 of any school year, or is enrolled in kindergarten, and has not completed eighteen (18) years of life, shall regularly attend some public day school during all the days and hours that the public schools are in session in the city or town in which the child resides. The public school shall be responsible for regular attendance data monitoring of all students and early identification of emergent truant behavior. Prior to referring truant students to family court, schools must do their due diligence to assure all interventions have taken place. This includes, and is not limited to:

(1) Consultation with the parent or guardian; and

(2) Coordination with the students school-identified support team such as the individualized education plan, behavioral support, or attendance teams.

Every person having under his or her control a child, as described in this section, shall cause the child to attend school as required by this section, and for every neglect of this duty, the person having control of the child shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day, or part of a day, that the child fails to attend school, and if the total of these days is more than thirty (30) school days during any school year, then the person shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months or shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both; provided, that if the person so charged shall prove that the child has attended, for the required period of time, a private day school approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education pursuant to § 16-60-6(10); or a course of at-home instruction approved by the school committee of the town where the child resides; or has been accepted into an accredited postsecondary education program; or has obtained a waiver under subsection (b); or that the physical or mental condition of the child was such as to render his or her attendance at school inexpedient or impracticable; or that the child was excluded from school by virtue of some other general law or regulation, then attendance shall not be obligatory nor shall the penalty be incurred.

(b) A waiver to the compulsory attendance requirement may be granted by the superintendent only upon proof that the pupil has an alternative learning plan for obtaining either a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(1) Alternative-learning plans shall include age-appropriate academic rigor and the flexibility to incorporate the pupils interests and manner of learning. These plans may include, but are not limited to, such components, or combination of components, of extended learning opportunities as independent study, private instruction, performing groups, internships, community service, apprenticeships, and online courses that are currently funded and available to the school department and/or the community. In developing these alternative-learning plans, consideration shall be given to the unique difficulties and interruptions that many students are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, these alternative-learning plans may incorporate alternatives and extended breaks in study that would not be considered preferable under non-pandemic circumstances.

(2) Alternative-learning plans shall be developed, and amended if necessary, in consultation with the pupil, a school guidance counselor, the school principal, and at least one parent or guardian of the pupil, and submitted to the superintendent for approval. An alternative-learning plan may, but is not required to, incorporate an extended withdrawal as set forth in this section.

(3)(i) If the superintendent does not approve the alternative-learning plan, the parent or guardian of the pupil may appeal such decision to the school committee. A parent or guardian may appeal the decision of the school committee to the commissioner of education pursuant to chapter 39 of this title (hereinafter collectively referred to as the reviewing body).

(ii) In making decisions regarding the approval of an alternative-learning plan, consideration shall be given to the unique difficulties and interruptions that many students are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, alternative-learning plans may be approved that may incorporate alternatives and extended breaks in study that would not be considered preferable under non-pandemic circumstances. The provisions of this section shall not require the approval of an alternative-learning plan that the reviewing body determines is not in the best interests of the child.

(iii) In addition, this section authorizes the granting of an extended withdrawal from school. An extended withdrawal from school is a withdrawal that may be authorized that is not intended to be a permanent withdrawal but that is extended because of unique difficulties and interruptions that many students are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A student in an extended withdrawal shall still be considered to be enrolled in school and will not need to be re-enrolled for purposes of returning to the students regular classes. An extended withdrawal may authorize a student to be excused from taking any classes during the withdrawal period or to undertake a reduced number of classes than the student would otherwise take as an enrolled student. An extended withdrawal shall include provisions to periodically monitor and check-in on the status of the student and the students ability to return to the public school learning environment. An extended withdrawal pursuant to this subsection may be granted to any student, regardless of age.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or otherwise interfere with the rights of teachers and other school employees to collectively bargain pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28 or to allow any school committee to abrogate any agreement reached by collective bargaining.

(d) No school shall use a students truancy or absenteeism as the sole basis for using an out-of-school suspension as a disciplinary action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-32 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-32
§ 16-7-32. Annual review of expenditures.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall annually review actual expenditures in each school year and in case any community fails to adequately support the programs shared by the state, as provided in §§ 16-7-15 to 16-7-34, the commissioner shall inquire into the cause or causes of this failure of the community to adequately support the programs shared by the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-66-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-66 / Section 16-66-3
§ 16-66-3. Institute created.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island school staff institute is created as a part of the department of elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-30 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-30
§ 16-2-30. School lunch programs.
Status: in_force

All municipal school systems in this state shall make available, in their school lunch programs, low fat fortified milk with a milk fat content of one percent (1%) or less.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-20-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-20 / Section 16-20-4
§ 16-20-4. Grand Army Flag Day  Uniform salute to the flag.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the teachers of the public schools to prepare a program of patriotic exercises for the proper observance of Grand Army Flag Day. The department of elementary and secondary education shall prepare for the use of the schools a printed program providing for a uniform salute to the flag, to be used daily during the session of the school. The salute to the flag shall be as follows: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-93-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-93 / Section 16-93-3
§ 16-93-3. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The state shall adhere to the following procedures:

(1) The department of education shall collect and disseminate to every school district, private school, mayoral academy, and charter school, and make available on its website, curriculum materials and such other materials as may assist local and regional school committees, and governing bodies of any private school, mayoral academy, or charter school, in developing instructional materials on holocaust and genocide awareness and education. The curriculum materials may include information on relevant genocides, including the Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda, and Darfur.

(2) Every school district shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on holocaust and genocide, utilizing, but not being limited to, the materials collected and disseminated by the department of education, commencing with the 2017-2018 school year. Nothing herein shall require school districts to require holocaust and genocide instruction in every year of middle school and high school, but that holocaust and genocide education and instruction shall be utilized during appropriate times in the middle school and/or high school curricula, as determined by the local authority. All students should have received instruction on genocide and holocaust awareness materials by the time they have graduated from high school.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-73-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-73 / Section 16-73-2
§ 16-73-2. Creation of plan.
Status: in_force

The childrens cabinet shall incorporate into its strategic plan child opportunity zones as a means to deliver comprehensive and coordinated social services at or near public school sites. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall undertake activities including, but not limited to, the award of and administration of grants to further the purpose set forth in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-56-11 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-56 / Section 16-56-11
§ 16-56-11. Transition.
Status: in_force

No student shall be ineligible for financial assistance pursuant to this chapter for reasons of attendance at a postsecondary institution on or before July 1, 1978.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-31 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-31
§ 16-7-31. Failure of community to furnish funds  Withholding of state funds.
Status: in_force

If any community shall fail to maintain local appropriation or fail to appropriate or otherwise make available to the school committee the minimum sums provided in this chapter, including specifically but without limitation the minimum salary schedule as established in § 16-7-29, and the funds and funding levels required for voluntary participation as an EPSDT provider pursuant to § 40-8-18, all state education as provided in Title 16, and the minimum budget provision as established in § 16-7-23, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may notify the general treasurer of the amount of any deficiency. The general treasurer, on being so informed in writing of the amount of the deficiency by the commissioner, shall withhold state funds otherwise due during the subsequent state fiscal year to the community for its general uses and purposes in an amount equal to the deficiency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-6
§ 16-9-6. Filing of description of land taken  Notice to owners  Payment of agreed price.
Status: in_force

If any town has already passed or shall pass a vote to erect a schoolhouse or to enlarge a schoolhouse lot, and the school committee shall fix upon a location for the schoolhouse in the town or shall determine that a school lot ought to be enlarged, the school committee of the town shall, within six (6) months from the date of the passage of a resolution by the school committee to take any land for these purposes, file in the records of land evidence for the town a description of the land, and also a plat of the land, and a statement that the land is taken pursuant to the provisions of §§ 16-9-5 to 16-9-8, which description and statement shall be signed by the chairperson or president of the school committee, and upon the filing of the description, statement, and plat, the title in fee simple of the land shall vest in the town. After the filing of the description, statement, and plat, notice of the taking of the land shall be served upon the owners of and persons having an estate in and interested in the land by the town sergeant of the town leaving a true and attested copy of the description and statement with each of the persons personally, or at their last and usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and, in case any persons are absent from this state and have no last and usual place of abode in this state occupied by any person, or in case the whereabouts of any persons are unknown to the town sergeant, the copy shall be left with the persons, if any, in charge of or having possession of the land taken of the absent person and persons whose whereabouts are unknown, and another copy of the description and statement shall be mailed to the address of the absent persons if they are known to the officer. After the filing of the description and statement, the town clerk of the town shall cause a copy of the description and statement to be published in some newspaper published in the county in which the town is located at least twice a week for three (3) successive weeks. If any party shall agree with the school committee for the price of the land so taken, the agreed price shall immediately be paid to that party by the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-40 / Section 16-40-6
§ 16-40-6. Degrees conferred after revocation of approval.
Status: in_force

The admitting of any person or persons to any grade of a degree by conferring the degree upon that person or persons during the continuation of the revocation of the approval shall render this academy, college, university, or other institution of education, or any officer or member of these, participating in this, liable to the penalty provided in this chapter, as though no approval had been granted in the first instance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-23 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-23
§ 16-59-23. Conflicts of interest.
Status: in_force

No member of the board of governors for higher education 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 § 16-60-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-9
§ 16-60-9. Investigative powers of board.
Status: in_force

The board of regents shall have the power to investigate all transactions and matters relating to public elementary and secondary education in the state and to summon witnesses, administer oaths, and to require testimony and the production of records in the same manner and to the same extent as a court of law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-41-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-41 / Section 16-41-1
§ 16-41-1. Execution of compact.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island higher education assistance authority, on behalf of the state, is authorized and directed to execute a compact, substantially in the following form, with any one or more of the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont:

The purpose of the New England higher education compact shall be to provide greater educational opportunities and services through the establishment and maintenance of a coordinated educational program for the persons residing in the several states of New England parties to this compact with the aim of furthering higher education in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, public health and in professional, technical, scientific, literary and other fields.

There is hereby created and established a New England board of higher education hereinafter known as the board which shall be an agency of each state party to the compact. The board shall be a body corporate and politic, having the powers, duties and jurisdiction herein enumerated and such other and additional powers as shall be conferred upon it by the concurrent act or acts of the compacting states. The board shall consist of eight (8) resident members from each compacting state, chosen in the manner and for the terms provided by law of the several states parties to this compact, provided, however, that at least four (4) members shall be members of the legislature.

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states executing it whenever any two (2) or more of the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have executed it in the form which is in accordance with the laws of the respective compacting states.

The board shall annually elect from its members a chairperson and vice-chairperson and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge said officers. It may appoint and employ an executive secretary and may employ such stenographic, clerical, technical or legal personnel as shall be necessary, and at its pleasure remove or discharge such personnel. It shall adopt a seal and suitable bylaws and shall promulgate any all rules and regulations which may be necessary for the conduct of its business. It may maintain an office or offices within the territory of the compacting states and may meet at any time or place. Meetings shall be held at least twice each year.

A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action of the board imposing any obligation on any compacting state shall be binding unless a majority of the members from such compacting state shall have voted in favor thereof. Where meetings are planned to discuss matters relevant to problems of education affecting only certain of the compacting states, the board may vote to authorize special meetings of the board members of such states. The board shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall make an annual report to the governor and the legislature of each compacting state setting forth in detail the operations and transactions conducted by it pursuant to this compact, and shall make recommendations for any legislative action deemed by it advisable, including amendments to the statutes of the compacting states which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this compact. The board shall not pledge the credit of any compacting state without consent of the legislature thereof given pursuant to the constitutional processes of said state. The board may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it under article VII of this compact, provided that the board takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to the incurring of any obligation to be met in whole or in part in this manner. Except where the board makes use of funds available to it under article VII hereof, the board shall not incur any obligations for salaries, office, administrative, traveling or other expenses prior to the allotment of funds by the compacting states adequate to meet the same. Each compacting state reserves the right to provide hereafter by law for the examination and audit of the accounts of the board. The board shall appoint a treasurer and assistant treasurer who may be empowered to perform any and all duties of the treasurer. Fiscal disbursements of the board shall be valid only when authorized by any two (2) persons from among those authorized by the board to execute this authority, and when substantiated by vouchers signed and countersigned by any two (2) persons from among those the board has authorized to execute this authority. The executive secretary shall be custodian of the records of the board with authority to attest to and certify the records or copies thereof.

The board shall have the power to: (1) Collect, correlate, and evaluate data in the fields of its interest under this compact; to publish reports, bulletins, and other documents making available the results of its research; and, in its discretion, to charge fees for said reports, bulletins, and documents; (2) enter into such contractual agreements or arrangements with any of the compacting states or agencies thereof and with educational institutions and agencies as may be required in the judgment of the board to provide adequate services and facilities in educational fields covered by this compact; provided that it shall be the policy of the board in the negotiation of its agreements to serve increased numbers of students from the compacting states through arrangements with them existing institutions, whenever in the judgment of the board adequate service can be so secured in the New England region. Each of the compacting states shall contribute funds to carry out the contracts of the board on the basis of the number of students from such state for whom the board may contract. Contributions shall be at the rate determined by the board in each educational field. Except in those instances where the board by specific action allocates funds available to it under article VII hereof, it shall be the policy of the board to enter into such contracts only upon appropriation of funds by the compacting states. Any contract entered into shall be in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the board and in accordance with the laws of the compacting states.

Each state agrees that, when authorized by the legislature pursuant to the constitutional processes, it will from time to time make available to the board such funds as may be required for the expenses of the board as authorized under the terms of this compact. The contribution of each state for this purpose shall be in the proportion that its population bears to the total combined population of the states who are parties hereto as shown from time to time by the most recent official published report of the bureau of the census of the United States of America; unless the board shall adopt another basis in making its recommendation for appropriation to the compacting states.

The board for the purposes of this compact is hereby empowered to receive grants, devises, gifts and bequests which the board may agree to accept and administer. The board shall administer property held in accordance with special trusts, grants and bequests and shall also administer grants and devises of land and gifts or bequests of personal property made to the board for special uses and shall execute said trusts, investing the proceeds thereof in notes or bonds secured by sufficient mortgages or other securities.

The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any compacting state or of the United States the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby; provided, that if this compact is held to be contrary to the constitution of any compacting state the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to all other compacting states.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon a compacting state until the legislature or the governor of such state, as the laws of such state shall provide, takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until two (2) years after notice thereof has been sent by the governor of the state desiring to withdraw to the governors of all other states then parties to the compact. Such withdrawal shall not relieve the withdrawing state from its obligations accruing hereunder prior to the effective date of withdrawal. Any state so withdrawing, unless reinstated, shall cease to have any claim to or ownership of any of the property held by or vested in the board or to any of the funds of the board held under the terms of the compact. Thereafter, the withdrawing state may be reinstated by application after appropriate legislation is enacted by such state, upon approval by a majority vote of the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-5-30.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-5 / Section 16-5-30.1
§ 16-5-30.1. Penalty for violation.
Status: in_force

Any community that does not comply with the provisions of §§ 16-21-7, 16-21-9, 16-21-12, 16-21-14, and 16-38-2 shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 16-5-30.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-63-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-63 / Section 16-63-10
§ 16-63-10. Community education.
Status: in_force

(a) Adult education programs and services, to the extent feasible, shall be designed and implemented in accordance with a local control model, commonly known as community education, as set forth in the former federal Community Schools and Comprehensive Community Education Act, title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, formerly codified at 20 U.S.C. § 3281 et seq., and any amendments to it, extensions of it, or successor legislation.

(b) There shall be citizen participation in determining needs and interests and in planning, organizing, overseeing, and evaluating adult education programs and services. This participation shall be effected through advisory councils which shall be established to serve particular cities and towns, or combinations of these, or service districts pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Local education authorities shall be involved directly and substantially, but not necessarily solely or primarily, in the administration and operation of local or area adult education programs and services. Adult education activities shall be conducted in coordination with other human services at the state, area, and community levels. There shall be maximum utilization of all appropriate public buildings, facilities, and resources.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-5
§ 16-9-5. Power of city or town to condemn for school purposes  Maximum acreage.
Status: in_force

Any city or town from time to time may take lands within the city or town, improved or unimproved, for the location of schoolhouses, the enlargement of schoolhouse lots, and for school purposes, provided that the amount of the land at any one taking shall not exceed fifteen (15) acres; except that:

(1) The town of Foster may at any one taking take lands for these purposes in an amount not exceeding ten (10) acres;

(2) The city of Warwick may at any one taking take lands for these purposes in an amount not exceeding fifteen (15) acres, provided, however, that before the city of Warwick may take more than five (5) acres for this purpose, it shall hold a public hearing;

(3) The town of Narragansett may at any one taking take lands for these purposes in an amount not exceeding twelve (12) acres, provided, however, that before the town of Narragansett may take more than five (5) acres for this purpose, it shall hold a public hearing;

(4) The town of Jamestown may at any one taking take lands for these purposes in an amount not exceeding twenty-five (25) acres;

(5) The city of Cranston may at one taking take lands for these purposes in an amount not exceeding twenty-five (25) acres.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-19 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-19
§ 16-16-19. Reexamination of disability beneficiaries  Reduction of benefit  Reinstatement to active service.
Status: in_force

Once each year the retirement board may, and upon his or her application shall, require any disability beneficiary under the minimum age of service retirement to undergo a medical examination, the examination to be made at the place of residence of the beneficiary, or other place mutually agreed upon, by a physician or physicians engaged by the retirement board. If the examination indicates that the beneficiary is able to engage in a gainful occupation, his or her name shall be placed on appropriate lists of candidates prepared for appointment to positions in his or her department or agency for which he or she is stated to be qualified, of a salary grade not exceeding that from which he or she was last retired. Should the beneficiary be engaged in a gainful occupation or should he or she be offered service as a result of the placing of his or her name on a list of candidates, the retirement board shall adjust, and, from time to time readjust, the amount of his or her disability benefit to an amount which shall not exceed the rate of benefit upon which he or she was originally retired, and which, when added to the amount then earnable by him or her, shall not exceed his or her rate of annual compensation currently for the classification that the disability annuitant held prior to retirement. Should any disability beneficiary under the minimum age of service retirement refuse to submit to one medical examination in any year by a physician or physicians designated by the retirement board, his or her benefit shall be discontinued until his or her withdrawal of the refusal, and should his or her refusal continue for one year, all his or her rights in and to the benefit shall be revoked by the retirement board. A disability beneficiary, reinstated to active service, shall be reinstated as a member and participate in the rights of the retirement system, to the same extent as any other teacher.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-57-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-57 / Section 16-57-12
§ 16-57-12. Credit of state.
Status: in_force

Guaranties made under the provisions of this chapter shall not constitute debts, liabilities, or obligations of the state or of any political subdivision of the state other than the office of the postsecondary commissioner or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or any political subdivision other than the office of the postsecondary commissioner, but shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of reserve funds set forth in § 16-57-10.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-3
§ 16-2-3. Emergency reduction of school year.
Status: in_force

In the event of any emergency brought about by the incidence of any epidemic or the threat of an epidemic or any emergency which may endanger the health of children or the physical well being of the community, the school committee of any city or town with the approval of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education may reduce the number of school days to not less than one hundred seventy (170) days; provided, that the compensation of teachers, janitors, clerks, and other employees in the public schools of the city or town shall not be reduced by reason of the shortening of the school year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-35-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-35 / Section 16-35-1
§ 16-35-1. Appropriations  Visitation.
Status: in_force

Any sums that shall be from time to time appropriated by the general assembly to the Rhode Island School of Design shall be paid by the general treasurer upon the orders of the office of higher education, which is empowered and authorized to visit and examine the school at its pleasure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-90-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-90 / Section 16-90-5
§ 16-90-5. Implementation.
Status: in_force

(a) Duties and responsibilities imposed by the statute with respect to the states adoption, public reporting and implementation, with respect to the public high schools in the state, of a standard four (4) year adjusted cohort graduation rate using the defined formula.

(1) Within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, the board of regents, in conjunction with each local school board, district, or agency, shall adopt and implement a standard four (4) year adjusted cohort graduation rate definition and data collection protocol using the graduation rate formula as defined in this chapter.

(2) Students who enroll in a GED or any other alternative educational program that does not issue or provide credits toward the issuance of a regular high school diploma are not transfers out and remain in the cohort for the purpose of graduation rate calculations described in this chapter.

(3) The board of regents, in conjunction with each local school board, district, or agency shall develop and retain capacity for collection, analysis, and public reporting of public high school graduation rate data. Graduation rates shall be calculated and publicly reported for each school, school district and for the state. Graduation rates shall be calculated and publicly reported in the aggregate and disaggregated by the major racial and ethnic groups, for students with disabilities, for English language learners, for socio-economically disadvantaged students, and for non-socio-economically disadvantaged students.

(4) The states education system, in conjunction with local school with school districts, is encouraged to develop and implement one or more complementary indicators to enhance the states ability to measure and report different forms of high school completion, including: five (5) and six (6) year graduation rates; dropout rates; retention rates; completion rates; and college-ready graduation rates. The board of regents shall develop consistent definitions to ensure that these measures are reported in comparable ways across schools and districts within the state. These additional indicators will not replace or be presented or treated as an alternative to the graduation rate delineated in this chapter.

(5) Nothing in this chapter should be construed as limiting the reporting on a variety of other indices of school completion such as dropout rates, five (5) and six (6) year graduation rates, and other school completion rates recommended for development in this chapter.

(6) The board of regents shall take the necessary steps to inculcate in the overall mission of the states education system, the importance of collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting at the state and district level, accurate and disaggregated data on the graduation rates of public high schools at the district and school level. These steps include, but are not limited to, mandatory training for all school district administrators, registrars and other school-and district-based personnel with responsibility for collecting and maintaining data on cohorts and graduation rates. In addition, the board of regents shall implement a system for verifying the accuracy of locally reported graduation-rate data that shall include statistical checks and analyses along with on-site audits of record-keeping procedures to ensure that schools and districts adhere to state standards and guidelines.

(7) The board of regents shall take the necessary steps to educate the public as to the need for the states education system to be able to collect, maintain, analyze, and report publicly, accurate data on the graduation rates of public high schools and school districts. Such steps shall include, but not be limited to, outreach to civic associations, community based groups, and parents organizations to educate them about the need for accurate graduation rates, to inform them of the reporting and assistance to be implemented by the state, and to solicit suggestions and community support.

(8) The board of regents shall collaborate with local governments in the process of adopting and implementing the public high school graduation rate required by this section. This collaboration shall include the calculation and public reporting of an interim graduation rate until such time as the state and local governments have all the data required to fully implement the cohort graduation rate definition mandated by this chapter. This interim graduation rate shall be the ratio of diploma recipients in the given year to ninth (9th) grade enrollment four (4) years prior.

(9) The interim graduation rate mandated in this chapter shall be used as the additional high school indicator for the purposes of determining a high schools adequate yearly progress status under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 until such time as the cohort graduation rate, mandated by this chapter is implemented upon implementation of the cohort graduation rate. This rate shall be used as the additional high school indicator for the purposes of determining a high schools adequate yearly progress status under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

(b) This chapter applies only to graduation rate data for students who attend public high schools in Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-27 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-27
§ 16-7-27. School tax rate to be identified.
Status: in_force

The taxing authority in every city and town of the state shall record upon the individual tax notices the tax rate which is apportioned for school purposes separate from the tax rate which is apportioned for municipal purposes and the total of these two (2) tax rates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-114-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-114 / Section 16-114-5
§ 16-114-5. Construction with other laws.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any law to the contrary, the academy shall be subject to applicable federal and state law. All students and prospective students of the academy shall have all the same rights under applicable federal and state law as students and prospective students at other public schools.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-3
§ 16-11-3. Certificates without examination.
Status: in_force

The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may, in its discretion, issue certificates of qualification without examination to persons who may present evidence of qualification and shall comply with the regulations of the board. Provided, that any teacher who is certified in two (2) fields or subjects of science, other than general science, shall also be automatically certified in the field or subject of general science without the need for examination or other proof of qualifications in the subject of general science.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-110-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-110 / Section 16-110-3
§ 16-110-3. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The state shall adhere to the following procedures:

(1) The department of education shall collect and disseminate to every school district, private school, mayoral academy, and charter school, and make available currently on its website at https://www.ride.ri.gov/InstructionAssessment/CivicsSocialStudies/ResourcesonAfricanAmericanHistory.aspx the curriculum materials and other materials as may assist local and regional school committees, and governing bodies of any private school, mayoral academy, or charter school, in developing instructional programs pursuant to this section, materials on African Heritage and History.

(2) Every school district shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on African Heritage and History utilizing, but not being limited to, the materials collected and disseminated by the department of education, commencing with the 2022-2023 school year. Nothing herein shall require school districts to require African Heritage History instruction in every year, but that African Heritage education and instruction shall be utilized during appropriate times in the elementary and secondary school curricula, as determined by the local authority. All students should have received instruction on African Heritage and History materials by the time they have graduated from high school.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-35 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-35
§ 16-22-35. Littering prevention and recycling awareness program.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education shall, in collaboration with the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation, prescribe a presentation on litter prevention, reducing and reusing materials, and recycling awareness that shall be used to educate every public elementary and middle school student within the state on a yearly basis.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-25 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-25
§ 16-7-25. Minimum program required.
Status: in_force

The school committee in each community shall operate the schools each year on an appropriate level at least as adequate as the minimum established in §§ 16-7-15 to 16-7-34.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-73-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-73 / Section 16-73-3
§ 16-73-3. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may promulgate any rules and regulations that are deemed necessary for the purpose of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-71-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-71 / Section 16-71-5
§ 16-71-5. Parents and guardians.
Status: in_force

The rights of parents as enumerated in this chapter shall also pertain to legal guardians.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-13-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-13 / Section 16-13-8
§ 16-13-8. Continuity of tenure upon transfer.
Status: in_force

Any teacher in continuing service who voluntarily resigns and transfers to another community in Rhode Island without interrupting his or her professional career, shall be considered to remain under tenure unless the teacher is notified to the contrary, in writing, prior to March 1 of the second school year in which the teacher transfers. If the dismissal or nonrenewal is based on fiscal exigency or program reorganization, the teacher shall be notified, in writing, prior to June 1 of the second (2nd) school year in which the teacher transfers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-9.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-9.2
§ 16-2-9.2. Joint purchasing agreements.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other law or rule, any two (2) or more school committees may establish joint purchasing agreements between and among themselves or with the Rhode Island Association of School Committees for the purpose of purchasing goods and services. The Rhode Island Association of School Committees, acting on behalf of any school committees that are members of a joint purchasing agreement may seek the services of the Rhode Island division of purchases, department of administration, in procuring items necessary to the operation of the school district(s) and which items are common in usage to those procured by the state, and the division of purchasers shall, upon request by the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, furnish to its lists of supplies and equipment. The Rhode Island Association of School Committees and any consortia created pursuant to a joint purchase agreement under this chapter shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits set forth in § 37-2-56.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-11 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-11
§ 16-3-11. School committees of regional school districts  Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

(a) A regional school district established under the provisions of § 16-3-10 shall be a body politic and corporate with all the powers and duties conferred by law upon school committees and with the following additional powers and duties:

(1) To adopt a name and a corporate seal.

(2) To sue and be sued but only to the same extent and upon the same conditions that a city or town may sue or be sued.

(3)(i) To acquire by purchase, gift, or other means of transfer or by condemnation, land, and improvements within the district as a site for a school or schools. To acquire also by this method the rights of way and other easements as may be required in connection with the use of the site.

(ii) For the purpose of acquiring land by condemnation for the site, the regional district is given all the powers conferred upon cities or towns for the condemnation of land for school purposes by § 16-9-5; provided, that the amount of land taken by the committee may exceed five (5) acres but shall not exceed thirty (30) acres for any one building site. The description, plat, and statement of the land taken under this chapter shall be signed by the chairperson of the regional district school committee and filed in the records of land evidence as provided in § 16-9-6. The owners of land or any persons entitled to any estate or interest in it taken by the committee shall have the same right of petition, the right of jury trial, and all other rights under the provisions of §§ 16-9-7 and 16-9-8.

(iii) Upon the filing of the description, plat, and statement of the land taken, the title to the land shall vest absolutely and in fee simple in the regional school district notwithstanding that any of the land taken is devoted to a public use, and the district, acting by and through the district committee and its duly authorized agents, may immediately enter and take possession of the land without any process of law required by statute or common law, and remove any or all buildings, property, or other impediments, and occupy, use, and improve the land for the purposes of this chapter notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(iv) The district, through its committee, is authorized and empowered to pay for the cost of acquiring land for the school site from the proceeds received from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, whether the property is acquired by purchase or by condemnation, or partly by purchase and partly by condemnation.

(4) To secure competent architectural and engineering services for the taking of surveys, the preparation of plans and specifications for the construction and equipment of a school or schools in the district, and to employ clerical assistance as may be necessary.

(5) To construct, furnish, and equip schools and improve the grounds upon which the schools are located and to make additions to the schools as may be needed.

(6) To make all contracts and agreements that may be necessary for the exercise of the powers vested in the district school committee by subdivisions (3), (4), and (5) of this subsection;

(7) To issue under its corporate name and seal bonds in serial form to an amount not exceeding the debt limits as described in this chapter. The bonds shall be signed by the chairperson and treasurer of the regional school district committee; the principal and interest shall be payable in any coin or currency of the United States that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for public and private debts, and the debt secured by the bonds shall be obligatory on the district to the same extent as other debts lawfully contracted by the district.

(8) To borrow temporarily and to issue temporary notes of the district, the proceeds of which shall be used only for the purposes set forth in subdivisions (3), (4), and (5) of this subsection. Each authorized issue shall constitute a separate loan. Each issue may be for a period of not more than three (3) years and notes issued for a shorter period may be refunded or renewed from time to time by the issue of other temporary notes maturing within the required period of three (3) years, provided, that the period from the date of issue of the original loan to the date of maturity of the refunding or renewal loans shall not be more than three (3) years. Temporary notes of the district shall be signed by the chairperson and treasurer of the regional district school committee, and may bear interest or be sold at a discount. The period and discount or interest rate and other particulars of the temporary notes shall be fixed by the district committee. The temporary notes and renewal notes, including interest or discount on the notes and the expense of preparing, issuing, and marketing the notes, shall, unless otherwise taken care of, be funded by the issue of serial bonds under the provisions of subdivision (7) of this subsection. The aggregate principal amount of temporary notes issued and outstanding under this subdivision shall not at any time exceed the sum of the serial bonds authorized to be issued.

(9) To incur temporary debt after the district school or schools are constructed and in operation in anticipation of revenue to be received.

(10) To apply for and receive, accept, and use any state or federal funds or assistance, or both, as may be provided, whether in the form of a grant or a loan, or both, on the same basis as other school districts, but subject to the provisions of this chapter; to receive, accept, and use any gift from private sources; to receive and disburse funds for any district purpose.

(11) To publish an annual report containing a detailed financial statement showing the total receipts and expenditures of the period covered by the report together with additional information relating to the maintenance and operating of the school or schools as may be deemed necessary by the regional district school committee.

(12) To engage legal counsel.

(13) To engage and employ a superintendent of the district who may also be a principal of a district school or schools on a contractual basis for either a definite or indefinite term as the regional school district school committee shall decide. The person employed shall have all the powers and duties imposed upon a superintendent of schools by law.

(b) The powers, duties, and liabilities of a regional school district as set forth in this chapter, together with any other powers and duties pertaining to school committees prescribed by the laws of this state and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, shall be vested in and exercised by a regional district school committee organized in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The committee shall choose by ballot a chairperson from its membership. It shall also appoint a clerk and a treasurer who may be the same person, and who need not be a member or members of the committee. The treasurer shall receive and take charge of all money belonging to the district and shall pay all bills and indebtedness of the district that have been approved by the committee; provided, that expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals shall not in any fiscal year exceed the total revenue belonging to the district. Should the treasurer estimate that actual expenses may exceed total available revenue in any fiscal year, he or she shall notify the school committee and the superintendent of schools, and the chief elected officials of the cities or towns. Purchase orders or financial commitments shall not be authorized even on the order of the school committee unless it can be proven that there will not be an excess of expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals over revenues. The clerk and the treasurer shall give bond to the district in the sum and with the surety as shall be satisfactory to the committee and conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the office.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit a regional district school committee from negotiating and contracting with school employees and teachers for services to be rendered in the ensuing fiscal years pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28.

(d) The regional district school committee shall annually cause an audit to be made of the accounts of the regional school district and on completion of each audit, a report shall be made to the chairperson of the committee.

(e)(1) Notwithstanding any provisions of the general laws to the contrary, the requirement defined in this subsection shall apply. The school committee of each school district shall be responsible for maintaining a school budget which does not result in a debt.

(2) The school committee shall, within thirty (30) days after the close of the first and second quarters of the states fiscal year, adopt the budget as may be necessary to enable it to operate without incurring a debt, as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) In the event that any obligation, encumbrance or expenditure by a superintendent of schools or a school committee is in excess of the amount budgeted or that any revenue is less than the amount budgeted, the school committee shall within five (5) working days of its discovery of potential or actual over expenditure or revenue deficiency, submit a written statement of the amount of and cause for the over obligation or over expenditure or revenue deficiency to the town council president and such other person who by local charter or statute serves as the city or towns executive officer; the statement shall further include a statement of the school committees plan for corrective actions necessary to meet the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection. The plan shall be approved by the auditor general.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-1
§ 16-60-1. Council on elementary and secondary education established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a council on elementary and secondary education which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of elementary and secondary education institutions and functions. The council on elementary and secondary education shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms for its public members.

(b) Upon its organization the council on elementary and secondary education shall be invested with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in the custody of the board of regents for education for the use of the department of elementary and secondary education. The council on elementary and secondary education is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges pertaining to elementary and secondary education.

(c) The council on elementary and secondary education is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges formerly belonging to the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, unless otherwise specified in law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-50-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-50 / Section 16-50-6
§ 16-50-6. Rules and regulations  Advisory committee.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of § 16-50-5 and may establish an advisory committee of owners or operators of institutions to which this chapter applies and of other persons with knowledge in the fields to which this chapter applies, to advise it in its administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-88-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-88 / Section 16-88-2
§ 16-88-2. Findings.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly hereby finds that participating in high quality after school and summer learning programs provides children and youth needed resources to succeed in school and in life.

(b) The general assembly also finds that in 2005, seventy-four percent (74%) of children ages six (6) to seventeen (17) in Rhode Island had all parents in the workforce, higher than the U.S. average of sixty-eight percent (68%). On school days, the hours between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drug, alcohol, cigarettes and sex. Differences in summer learning accounted for sixty-five percent (65%) of the gap in reading scores between upper-income students who went to four (4) year colleges and low-income high-school dropouts. After school programs have been shown to support local schools by providing children and youth with opportunities to engage in hands-on activities that hold students interests and develop their skills and a sense of competence.

(c) The general assembly also finds that the need for after school and summer learning programs is demonstrated by the Rhode Island department of education grant competition for after school and summer learning programs funding. In each of the competitions; almost double the money has been requested than was available for funding.

(d) Furthermore, the general assembly finds that there is an existing infrastructure of after school and summer learning programs in Rhode Island serving school age children from kindergarten to 12th grade that is supported through state and federal investments in child care, 21st century community learning centers program, child opportunity zones, community-based organizations and public schools. It is the intent of the general assembly to support a system of publicly-funded, high quality after school and summer learning programs that are operated through a diverse delivery network, including child care, 21st century community learning centers program, child opportunity zones, community-based organizations and public districts.

(e) By enacting this law, the general assembly acknowledges the need to adequately prepare all children to succeed in school and life by providing access to publicly-funded high quality after school and summer learning programs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-63-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-63 / Section 16-63-13
§ 16-63-13. Adult education financing.
Status: in_force

The cost of providing adult education programs and services shall be met by federal, state, and local government resources, and by tuition and fees to be paid by participants according to the categories of programs and services, as further set forth in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-12
§ 16-59-12. 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 § 16-107-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-107 / Section 16-107-1
§ 16-107-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-7.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-7.3
§ 16-60-7.3. Statewide purchasing system and programs.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of elementary and secondary education, together with the department of administration, is authorized to develop and implement a voluntary statewide purchasing system for all public schools in this state, including regional school districts. Said system may be utilized for the purchase of all goods, supplies and services to support and enhance public school operations under a statewide contract, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following goods, supplies and services:

(1) General school supplies such as paper goods, office supplies, textbooks and cleaning products that are or may be utilized by school departments;

(2) Telecommunications, wireless services, computer equipment, hardware and software that have been identified by local school departments as needed to support curriculum objectives;

(3) General non-medical and dental insurance products and services; provided however, that the statewide purchasing system shall permit districts to establish their own benefit and coverage levels.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or public law to the contrary, including the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37, the department of elementary and secondary education and local and regional school districts are authorized to participate in purchasing collaboratives, consisting of two (2) or more states. Said participation shall be subject to prior approval of the chief purchasing officer and rules and regulations promulgated by the department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-11 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-11
§ 16-16-11. Benefits payable  Survivors benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) The benefits payable to teachers under this chapter shall be those benefits provided in chapter 10 of title 36 and as provided in this chapter with and subject, however, to the conditions and modifications set forth in §§ 16-16-12 through 16-16-14, and also the benefits provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) If the teacher member of the retirement system dies, either prior to or after his or her effective date of retirement, any amounts credited to him or her in the teachers survivors benefit fund, as provided in this chapter, with regular accumulated interest on the amount, shall be applied toward the financing of those benefits for dependents and survivors of the member as defined in this chapter, and in amounts provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-111-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-111 / Section 16-111-1
§ 16-111-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter.

(1) Educational entity or educational entities means all Rhode Island school districts, including a single school district, regional school district, multiple school districts, any public or private school grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12), any charter public school, or any career and technical high school.

(2) Waste audit means an analysis of a facilitys waste stream. The audit can identify what types of recyclable materials and waste a facility generates; how much of each category is recovered for recycling or discarded; and what materials can be composted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-33.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-33.1
§ 16-21-33.1. Automatic external defibrillators.
Status: in_force

(a) Legislative findings: (1) Approximately three hundred twenty-five thousand (325,000) Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year and more than ninety-five percent (95%) of them die before reaching the hospital; (2) In the population of Rhode Island, an estimated one thousand (1,000) residents will die of cardiac arrest every year; (3) No official statistics have been gathered about SCA in children, however experts estimate about three hundred (300) deaths because of SCA every year for people under the age of twenty-one (21) or about one tenth of one percent (.001%); (4) This means that at least one person under the age of twenty-one (21) years, most likely a student, will die due to athletics related SCA every year in Rhode Island; (5) If defibrillation is performed within five (5) to seven (7) minutes, chances of survival are increased by forty-nine percent (49%). Every minute that goes by without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by seven percent (7%) to ten percent (10%); (6) Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are extremely accurate computerized devices that can be operated by the average person; (7) AEDs are inexpensive and grants for AEDs are mostly given to nonprofit organizations, such as schools; and (8) AEDs can be acquired through grants from various organizations or through government agencies.

(b) All high schools and middle schools, whether they are public or privately run, shall provide and maintain on-site functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in quantities and types, deemed by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the director of health, to be adequate to ensure ready and appropriate access for use during emergencies. Whenever school facilities are used for school-sponsored or school-approved curricular or extracurricular activities, and whenever a school-sponsored athletic contest is held at any location, the school officials and administrators responsible for such school facility or athletic contest shall ensure the presence of at least one person who is properly trained in the operation and use of an AED. Such training may be conducted by qualified personnel, including, but not limited to, municipal fire and police department employees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-26-11 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-26 / Section 16-26-11
§ 16-26-11. Execution of chapter  Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall carry out the provisions of this chapter and shall make any rules and regulations governing the operation of the school that may be required.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-43 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-43
§ 16-21-43. Policy on use of personal electronic devices in schools. [Effective August 1, 2026.]
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Each public school shall have a policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities to reduce distractions, maintain environments focused on learning, and protect the privacy and safety of students and staff. Each public school shall notify the parents or guardians of all students attending the school of the policy. The policy shall include, but not be limited to, a prohibition on physical access to a personal electronic device by students during the school day as defined by the department of education and the commission of elementary and secondary education pursuant to §§ 16-2-2 and 16-2-9 and any regulations promulgated thereunder including, but not limited to, 200-RICR-20-05-1.

(2) The district shall make exceptions for student personal device use that provide access to assistive technology necessary to comply with individualized student 504 plans, individualized education plans (IEP), medical needs such as glucose monitoring, and/or a plan to support emergent multilingual learners (MLL) students with appropriate language access programs and services to ensure the provision of appropriate, meaningful public education. The allowable exceptions shall be written into the students identified plan and approved by the appropriate team or coordinator.

(3) Students provided an exception to this policy shall not be segregated from students without such exception. Exceptions shall also be made in the event of an emergency.

(b) For the purposes of this section, a personal electronic device means a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, computer, smartwatch, or other electronic device not owned or provided to a student by a public school that is capable of communication through the internet or a wireless network.

(c) The policy and any standards and rules enforcing the policy shall be prescribed by the school committee in conjunction with the superintendent or the board of trustees of a charter school and in consultation with any collective bargaining agents that represent school staff. The policy shall be enforced consistently by school administration, be systematic in nature, and should minimize the potential for conflict between students, parents, educators, and staff.

(d) No school official, employee, or agent of the school shall search the contents of any personal electronic device covered by this chapter that is retained by the school during school hours and not in the students possession in a locked pouch or container.

(e) The department of elementary and secondary education shall, in consultation with the attorney generals office and the department of health, provide guidance and recommendations to assist schools with developing and implementing effective policies regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities consistent with this section and shall make such guidance and recommendations publicly available on the departments website. Guidance and recommendations shall be reviewed annually and regularly updated to reflect applicable research and best practices.

(f) Each school district and charter school shall file its school personal electronic device use policy with the department of elementary and secondary education in a manner and form prescribed by the department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-34 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-34
§ 16-16-34. Member leaving no survivors  Reversion.
Status: in_force

(a) In the case of any member who dies while in service leaving no dependents or survivors as defined in §§ 16-16-1, 16-16-11, and 16-16-25 through 16-16-38, his or her accumulated contributions to the teachers survivors benefit fund plus interest shall be payable to the person or persons that he or she may designate to the retirement board or in the absence of a designation to his or her estate.

(b) Contributions made by a member who at the date of retirement did not exercise the election provided in § 16-16-32 and who dies without leaving survivors as defined in this chapter shall become part of the reserve of the fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-26 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-26
§ 16-59-26. The public and private partnership in education.
Status: in_force

(a) Purpose. The state of Rhode Island recognizes that research is a primary mission of an institution of higher education. While carrying out its research mission, the state further recognizes that inventions of value to the public will be made by persons working in its public institutions of higher education. The marketing of these inventions will contribute to job creation and to the overall economic well-being of the state of Rhode Island and the nation. It is accordingly the policy of the state to encourage such inventors and inventions and to take appropriate steps to aid the inventor and ensure that the public receives the benefit. In facilitating this policy, the state recognizes the need for cooperation between governmental agencies, private industries, and the inventors themselves.

(b) Definitions. The following words and phrases used in this section have the following meaning:

(1) Conflict of interest policies and procedures relating to research and development refers to policies and procedures adopted by the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees, in consultation with the Rhode Island ethics commission, and approved by the Rhode Island ethics commission;

(2) Relationship includes any interest, service, employment, gift, or other benefit or relationship;

(3) Research or development means basic or applied research or development, including:

(i) The development or marketing of university-owned technology;

(ii) The acquisition of services of an official or employee, by an entity for research and development purposes;

(iii) Participation in state economic development programs; or

(iv) The development or marketing of any technology on the premises of a public institution of higher education by an official or employee of the institution.

(c) Policy. (1) The council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees shall develop conflict of interest policies and procedures based on the purposes expressed in R.I. Const., Art. III, Sec. VII, § 36-14-1, and in this section. (2) The council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees, shall consult with the Rhode Island ethics commission in developing these policies and procedures and shall submit them to the Rhode Island ethics commission for approval in order to insure conformity with the purposes expressed in R.I. Const., Art. III, Sec. VII, § 36-14-1, and in this section.

(d) Policy standards. The policies and procedures adopted by the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees under subsection (c) of this section shall:

(1) Require disclosure of any interest in, or employment by, or other relationship with an entity for which an exemption under this section is claimed, on a form filed with the ethics commission and the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees and maintained as a public record at the commission offices, the office of higher education, and at the interested public institution of higher education;

(2) Require review of all disclosures by a designated official or officials, who shall determine what further information must be disclosed and what restrictions shall be imposed by the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees to manage, reduce, or eliminate any actual or potential conflict of interest;

(3) Include guidelines to ensure that interests and employment for which an exemption under this section is claimed do not improperly give an advantage to entities in which the interests or employment are maintained, lead to misuse of institution students or employees for the benefit of entities in which the interests or employment are maintained, or otherwise interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the exempt official or employee;

(4) Require approval by the president of the public institution of higher education of any interest or employment for which an exemption is claimed under this section; and

(5) Require approval by the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees.

(e) Relationship permitted. An official or employee at a public institution of higher education may have a relationship, that would otherwise be prohibited by the Rhode Island code of ethics in government, with an entity engaged in research or development, or with an entity having a direct interest in the outcome of research or development, only if the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees has adopted policies and procedures in accordance with this section, and the official or employee has complied with the policies and procedures. If the provisions of this section are not met, the official or employee is not exempt from any relevant provisions of the Rhode Island code of ethics in government.

(f) Annual reporting. The council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees shall report annually to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, and the ethics commission the number of approvals granted under this section and how the conflict of interest policies and procedures adopted pursuant to this section have been implemented in the preceding year.

(g) Person not eligible. An official or employee who is a president, or vice-president at a public institution of higher education in Rhode Island may not receive an exemption under this section.

(h) Ethics commission review. The council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees, shall promptly notify the ethics commission in writing of any exemption that is granted under this section. If the ethics commission disagrees with an exemption that is granted pursuant to this section and the conflict of interest policies and procedures relating to research and development adopted by the council on postsecondary education, within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt of the notice described in this section, the ethics commission shall notify the council on postsecondary education reason for its concern. Upon receipt of such notice from the ethics commission, the council on postsecondary education, or as it pertains to the university of Rhode Island, the board of trustees shall cause the matter to be re-examined at an open and public meeting pursuant to § 42-46-1 et seq.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-23-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-23 / Section 16-23-2
§ 16-23-2. Loan of textbooks.
Status: in_force

(a) The school committee of every community as it is defined in § 16-7-16 shall furnish upon request, at the expense of the community, textbooks to all students in grades K-12 in the fields of mathematics, science, modern foreign languages, English/language arts and history/social studies, appearing on the list of textbooks published by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education as provided in § 16-23-3, to all pupils of elementary and secondary school grades resident in the community, the textbooks to be loaned to the pupils free of charge, subject to any rules and regulations as to care and custody that the school committee may prescribe. For loan purposes, non-public schools may not change a textbook assignment in a field more often than once in a three (3) year period as required of public schools in accordance with the provisions of § 16-23-1. Nothing in this section shall be construed as forbidding non-public schools from requiring the use of any textbook, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, that does not adhere to said limitation, provided that the textbook is furnished to the student through a means other than the school committee of the students city or town of residence.

(b) Every school committee shall also furnish at the expense of the community all other textbooks and school supplies used in the public schools of the community, the other textbooks and supplies to be loaned to the pupils of the public schools free of charge, subject to any rules and regulations as to care and custody that the school committee may prescribe. School books removed from school use may be distributed to pupils, and any textbook may become the property of a pupil who has completed the use of it in school, subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the school committee.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to forbid requiring or accepting from a pupil a deposit of a reasonable amount of money as a guaranty for the return of school property other than the books and supplies required in this section to be loaned free of charge, provided that the school committee shall make suitable rules and regulations for the safekeeping and return of deposits; and, provided, further, that in establishing schedules for deposits, the school committee should include provision for waiver of deposit due to financial hardship.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-43-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-43 / Section 16-43-1
§ 16-43-1. Expenditure of federal funds.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education is authorized to accept and direct the disbursement of funds appropriated by any acts of Congress and apportioned to the state in connection with 20 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq. The department of elementary and secondary education shall deposit all funds received from the federal government with the general treasurer, to be placed in a special account, and drawn upon only on receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-77-3.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-77 / Section 16-77-3.1
§ 16-77-3.1. Legislative purpose.
Status: reserved

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to provide an alternative within the public education system by offering opportunities for entities identified in § 16-77-2.1 to establish and maintain a high performing public school program according to the terms of a charter. The key appeal of the charter school concept is its promise of increased accountability for student achievement in exchange for increased school autonomy.

(b) Charter public schools are intended to be vanguards, laboratories, and an expression of the on-going and vital state interest in the improvement of education. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, a charter school shall be deemed to be a public school acting under state law and subject to the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. § 6101, et seq., title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, et seq., title IX of the educational amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq., § 794 of title 29, and part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1411, et seq. All students and prospective students of a charter school shall be deemed to be public school students, having all the same rights under federal and Rhode Island law as students and prospective students at a non-chartered public school. These charter public schools shall be vehicles for research and development in areas such as curriculum, pedagogy, administration, materials, facilities, governance, parent relations and involvement, social development, instructors and administrators responsibilities, working conditions, student performance and fiscal accountability. It is the intent of the general assembly to create within the public school system vehicles for innovative learning opportunities to be utilized and evaluated in pilot projects. The provisions of this chapter are to be interpreted liberally to support the purposes set forth in this chapter and to advance a renewed commitment by the state to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain public schools that operate independently as a method to accomplish all of the following:

(1) Improve pupil learning by creating schools with rigorous academic standards in all basic areas of instruction for high pupil performance;

(2) Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as educationally disadvantaged and at-risk;

(3) Encourage the use of innovative teaching methods;

(4) Create opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site;

(5) Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system;

(6) Hold the schools established under this chapter accountable for meeting publicly promulgated, measurable, state and charter-based pupil academic results, and provide the schools with a method to implement performance-based and/or other student-based accountability systems, while providing a means to restrict the expansion of ineffective charter public schools; and

(7) Encourage parental and community involvement with public schools.

(d) No private or parochial schools shall be eligible for charter public school status, nor shall a charter public school be affiliated in any way with a sectarian school or religious institution. Any charter public school authorized by this chapter shall be nonsectarian and nonreligious in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other operations. The board of regents shall not approve a charter to a school whose overall operation or education program is managed by a for profit entity.

(e) The commissioner is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this chapter, in conformance with chapter 35 of title 42, for the creation and operation of charter public schools. These rules and regulations shall set forth the process for rescission of state approval of a charter public school, including appropriate protections to ensure the continued provision of education services to the students of the charter public school whose charter is rescinded.

(f) All charter public schools shall adhere to financial record keeping, reporting, auditing requirements, and procedures as required by the Rhode Island department of education and in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.

(g) No more than thirty-five (35) charters shall be granted. At least one-half (Â½) of the total number of charter public schools in the state shall be reserved for charter school applications which are designed to increase the educational opportunities for at-risk pupils.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-13
§ 16-16-13. Amount of service retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

(a)(1)(i) For teachers eligible to retire on or before September 30, 2009, upon retirement from service under §16-16-12 a teacher whose membership commenced before July 1, 2005, and who has completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service on or before July 1, 2005, shall receive a retirement allowance which shall be determined in accordance with schedule A for service prior to July 1, 2012.

(ii) For teachers eligible to retire on or after October 1, 2009, who were not eligible to retire on or before September 30, 2009, upon retirement for service under §16-16-12, a teacher whose membership commenced before July 1, 2005, and who has completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service on or before July 1, 2005, shall receive a retirement allowance which shall be determined in accordance with schedule A above for service on before September 30, 2009, and shall be determined in accordance with schedule B in subsection (a)(2) below for service on or after October 1, 2009, and prior to July 1, 2012.

(2) Upon retirement from service under §16-16-12 a teacher whose membership commenced after July 1, 2005, or who has not completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service as of July 1, 2005, shall receive a retirement allowance which shall be determined in accordance with Schedule B for service prior to July 1, 2012.

(b) The retirement allowance of any teacher whose membership commenced before July 1, 2005, and who has completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service on or before July 1, 2005, shall be in an amount equal to the percentage allowance specified in subsection (a)(1) of the members average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation multiplied by the number of years of total service, but in no case to exceed eighty percent (80%) of the compensation, payable at completion of thirty-five (35) years of service; provided, however, for teachers retiring on or after October 1, 2009, who were not eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, the calculation shall be based on the average highest five (5) consecutive years of compensation; provided, however for teachers retiring on or after July 1, 2024, the calculation shall be based on the average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation.

The retirement allowance of any teacher whose membership commenced after July 1, 2005, or who has not completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service as of July 1, 2005, shall be in an amount equal to the percentage allowance specified in Schedule B of the members average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation multiplied by the number of years of total service, but in no case to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the compensation, payable at completion of thirty-eight (38) years of service; provided, however, for teachers retiring on or after October 1, 2009, who were not eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, the calculation shall be based on the average highest five (5) consecutive years of compensation; provided, however, for teachers retiring on or after July 1, 2024, the calculation shall be based on the average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation.

Any teacher who has in excess of thirty-five (35) years on or before June 2, 1985, shall not be entitled to any refund, and any teacher with thirty-five (35) years or more on or after June 2, 1985, shall contribute from July 1, 1985, until their retirement.

(c) For service prior to July 2012, the retirement allowance of a teacher shall be determined in accordance with subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) above. For service on and after July 1, 2012:

(i) For teachers with fewer than twenty (20) years of total service as of June 30, 2012, a teachers retirement allowance shall be equal to one percent (1%) of the teachers average compensation multiplied by the teachers years of total service on and after July 1, 2012; and

(ii) For teachers with twenty (20) or more years of total service as of June 30, 2012, a teachers retirement allowance shall be equal to one percent (1%) of the teachers average compensation multiplied by the teachers years of total service between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2015, and two percent (2%) of the teachers average compensation multiplied by the teachers years of total service on and after July 1, 2015. For purposes of computing a teachers total service under the preceding sentence, service purchases shall be included in total service only with respect to those service purchases approved prior to June 30, 2012, and those applications for service purchases received by the retirement system on or before June 30, 2012. In no event shall a teachers retirement allowance exceed the maximum limitations set forth in subsection (b) above.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-5.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-5.1
§ 16-2-5.1. Professional development.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island College in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees shall develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island school committees, that will include instruction in labor and labor relations, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, employee contract analysis, school finance, school law; duties and responsibilities of the committee, duties and responsibilities of the superintendent, ethics, the requirements of the open meetings law, student achievement, strategic planning, educational standards, student assessment, school accountability, data interpretation and analysis, collaboration building, advocacy, annual performance evaluation of the school superintendent and the local school committee, and any other topics as the Rhode Island association of school committees may deem to be necessary.

(b) In conformity with § 16-60-4(15), the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall approve the professional development program and create a process for recognizing school committee members that successfully complete the program in part or in whole.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-34.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-34.2
§ 16-7-34.2. Appropriation of funds for education of children with disabilities.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall appropriate to the board of regents for elementary and secondary education the sums that it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section for distribution to local and regional school districts on the basis of the ratio which the children with disabilities in that district bear to the state total of children with disabilities; provided however, that no school district receives less than twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) for the purpose of financially assisting school programs for the child with a disability currently in operation and those programs initiated by the district in the future, and as approved by the department of elementary and secondary education; and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so much of that sum as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The department shall have the power to require that the programs shall be administered and supervised by the local districts in a manner that the department deems most feasible educationally and most sound economically.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-53-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-53 / Section 16-53-3
§ 16-53-3. Duties and responsibilities.
Status: in_force

(a) The board of trustees shall:

(1) Advise the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the board of education on the development of a biannual state plan for career and technical education;

(2) Advise the commissioner of elementary and secondary education so that he/she may make reports to the governor, the business community, and general public of the state, concerning:

(i) Policies the state should pursue to strengthen career and technical education;

(ii) Initiatives and methods the private sector could undertake to assist in the modernization of career and technical education programs;

(iii) The distribution of spending for career and technical education in the state and on the availability of career and technical education activities and services within the state; and

(iv) The integration and coordination of the various policies and procedures involving career and technical education.

(3) Furnish consultation to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the board of education on the evaluation criteria and processes for career and technical education programs within the state as they pertain to:

(i) The establishment, continuation, and discontinuation of career preparation programs;

(ii) Incentives that promote and reward program excellence on the basis of performance;

(iii) Incentives that emphasize the needs of business and labor organizations;

(iv) Instructor preparation and qualifications in the areas of industry credentialing, development opportunities, and relevant field-based experiences;

(v) The integration of academic and technical instruction and skill attainment in career preparation programs; and

(vi) The management and distribution of state funding allocated for the express purpose of establishing or improving career preparation program model sites.

(4) Provide advice and consent on the policy principles and goals that govern the distribution of financial assistance furnished under this chapter, particularly with the analysis of the distribution of financial assistance between secondary career and technical education programs and postsecondary career and technical education programs;

(5) Report annually to the board of education on topics that include:

(i) Recommended procedures to ensure and enhance the participation of the public in the provision of career and technical education at the local level within the state, particularly the participation of local employers and local labor organizations; and

(ii) The extent to which the individuals described in former § 201(b) of United States Public Law 98-524, 20 U.S.C. § 2331(b), are provided with equal access to quality career and technical education programs;

(6) Furnish consultation to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to evaluate, at least once every two (2) years, the career and technical education program delivery systems assisted under this chapter, and make recommendations to stakeholders on the adequacy and effectiveness of the coordination between career and technical education and the workforce demands of the Rhode Island economy and postsecondary workforce development;

(7) Comply with all federal statutes, requirements, regulations, and guidelines, and in particular, United States Public Law 98-524 and any amendments to it;

(8) Establish, support, and expand private-sector participation programs that enhance career and technical education at the local level within the state, particularly the participation of local employers and local labor organizations in providing funding, equipment, training, apprenticeships, work-study programs, and other services that will enhance student experiences.

(9) Subject to the approval of the board of education, assume management and jurisdiction of state-owned-and-operated career and technical schools, at the request of the governing body of the school with a consultation from the executive director of the state-owned school, and assume management of such other career and technical schools as agreed to by local education districts and with a recommendation from the superintendent of schools.

(b) In the event that the governing board of a state-owned-and-operated career and technical school, or a local education agency in accordance with § 16-53-3(a)(8), requests the board of trustees to assume management and jurisdiction of its career and technical school, then the board of education may assign the care management and responsibility of career and technical facilities to the board of trustees for the express purpose of providing coordinated career and technical educational services. Prior to the assignment of the care, management, and responsibility of the school, the trustees shall prepare a plan that shall examine and make recommendations over the:

(1) Management of the career and technical school, including, but not limited to:

(i) Including how the conversion from a separate school facility to a statewide system will impact:

(A) Personnel;

(B) Labor agreements, including existing, collective bargaining agreements;

(C) Contractual obligations outside of labor agreements;

(D) Management structure;

(E) Program offerings;

(F) Admission policies;

(G) Facilities; and

(H) Other items as requested by RIDE or the board of education.

(2) Management of other state-owned facilities for the sole purpose of offering career and technical programs; and

(3) Method of assuming ownership and management of career and technical facilities within the state that were transferred, including the integration of programs, curriculum, offerings, and the relationship of matching academic requirements to career and technical education to enhance student outcomes.

(c) In the event the board of trustees assumes responsibility pursuant to § 16-53-3(b), the board of trustees shall act with the same authority as a local school committee.

(d) In the event the board of trustees assumes responsibility pursuant to § 16-53-3(a)(8), the board of trustees shall recognize the collective bargaining representatives of all affected employees in each collective bargaining unit and shall recognize the collective bargaining agreements in effect for all affected employees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-16 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-16
§ 16-2-16. Rules and regulations  Curriculum.
Status: in_force

The school committee shall make and cause to be put up in each schoolhouse rules and regulations for the attendance and classification of the pupils, for the introduction and use of textbooks and works of reference, and for the instruction, government, and discipline of the public schools, and shall prescribe the studies to be pursued in the schools, under the direction of the department of elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-8
§ 16-22-8. Foreign language courses.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever there shall be twenty (20) students who apply for a course in the Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish language in any high school of the state, the school committee of the specific city or town shall arrange a course in Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish to be conducted by a competent teacher.

(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall establish uniform criteria for the assessment of foreign language proficiency skills of students seeking academic credits that are commensurate to the competency level demonstrated in that foreign language.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-7.1
§ 16-21-7.1. Unhealthy food and beverage advertising prohibited in schools.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a school district shall prohibit at any school within the district:

(1) The advertising of any food or beverage that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day. For purposes of this section, food and beverages that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day are those that do not meet the minimum nutrition standards as set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111-296) federal regulations implementing the Act [42 U.S.C. § 1779(b)], and as set forth by the Rhode Island board of education and local school committees. Advertising is prohibited on any property or facility owned or leased by the school district or school and used at any time for school-related activities, including, but not limited to, school buildings, athletic fields, facilities, signs, scoreboards, parking lots, school buses or other vehicles, equipment, vending machines, uniforms, educational materials, or supplies; and

(2) The participation in a corporate incentive program that rewards children with free or discounted foods or beverages that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day when they reach certain academic goals.

(b) Exceptions. The restriction on advertising in subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1) Advertising on broadcast, digital, or print media, unless the media are produced or controlled by the local education agency, school, faculty, or its students;

(2) Advertising on clothing with brand images worn on school grounds;

(3) Advertising contained on product packaging; or

(4) Advertising on a food truck that sells foods and beverages on school property, after the end of the school day, as defined in § 16-21-7.

(c) Implementation. The restriction on advertising in subsection (a) shall take effect on September 1, 2018, with the following limited exceptions:

(1) For advertising that occurs pursuant to a contract or lease, the restrictions in subsection (a) apply to advertising that occurs pursuant to a contract or lease that was entered into or renewed on or after the effective date [June 4, 2018] of this section; and

(2) Nothing in this section requires the removal, from a permanent fixture, of advertising that does not comply with the restrictions in subsection (a), until the permanent fixture is removed or replaced, provided the advertising or display is a permanent feature of the permanent fixture.

(d) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) Advertising means an oral, written, or graphic statement or representation, including a company logo or trademark, made for the purpose of promoting the use or sale of a product by its producer, manufacturer, distributer, seller, or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.

(2) Brand means a corporate or product name, a business image, or a mark, regardless of whether it legally qualifies as a trademark used by a seller or manufacturer to identify their goods or services and to distinguish them from competitors goods.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-12-3.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-12 / Section 16-12-3.2
§ 16-12-3.2. Moment of silence on September 11.
Status: in_force

On every September 11 in all grades in all public schools, a building administrator or a teacher may allow a brief moment of silence to be observed in memory of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-56-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-56 / Section 16-56-6
§ 16-56-6. Need-based grants.
Status: in_force

(a) Amount of funds allocated. The commissioner of postsecondary education shall allocate annually the appropriation for need-based scholarships and grants. Of the total amount appropriated for need-based scholarship and grants, the lesser of twenty percent (20%) or one million eight hundred thousand dollars ($1,800,000) shall be distributed to qualified students attending participating, independent, nonprofit, higher education institutions in Rhode Island. The remainder of funds shall be limited to public higher education institutions in Rhode Island including payments made pursuant to § 16-100-3(c). As part of the annual budget submission, the office of postsecondary commissioner shall include a plan of how the need-based scholarship and grant funds will be allocated to each public institution receiving funds pursuant to this chapter and how the funds will be distributed to students attending independent, nonprofit institutions.

(b) Eligibility of individuals. Eligibility for need-based grants and scholarships shall be determined by the office of the postsecondary commissioner.

(c) Number and terms of awards. The number of awards to be granted in any one fiscal year shall be contingent upon the funds allocated to this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-34 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-34
§ 16-2-34. Central Falls School District board of trustees.
Status: reserved

(a) There is hereby established a seven (7) member board of trustees, which shall govern the Central Falls School District. With the exception of those powers and duties reserved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, the board of trustees shall have the powers and duties of school committees. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, as the executive agent of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, is authorized to exercise in whole or in part care, control, and management over the public schools of the Central Falls school district within the scope of authority of the board of trustees and board of regents, whenever the commissioner deems such intervention to be necessary and appropriate.

(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall appoint the members of the board of trustees from nominations made by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The chairperson shall also be selected in this manner. The board of regents shall determine the number, qualifications, and terms of office of members of the board of trustees, provided however, that at least four (4) of the members shall be residents of the city and parents of current or former Central Falls public school students. The remaining three (3) shall be appointed at large.

(c) The board of regents shall provide parameters for overall budget requests, approve the budget, and otherwise participate in budget development.

(d) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall recommend parameters for overall budget requests, recommend a budget, and otherwise participate in budget development.

(e) The commissioner shall approve the process for selection of the superintendent.

(f) The board of trustees shall meet monthly and serve without compensation. The board of trustees shall have broad policy making authority for the operation of the school, as well as the following powers and duties:

(1) To identify the educational needs of the district;

(2) To develop educational policies to meet the needs of students in the school district;

(3) To appoint a superintendent to serve as its chief executive officer and to approve assistant and associate superintendents from nominations made by the superintendent;

(4) To provide policy guidance and otherwise participate in budget development; and

(5) To develop staffing policies which ensure that all students are taught by educators of the highest possible quality.

(g) The superintendent shall serve at the pleasure of the board of trustees with the initial appointment to be for a period of not more than three (3) years; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of employment are subject to the approval of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education.

(h) It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to manage and operate the school on a day-to-day basis. The superintendents duties shall include the following:

(1) To be responsible for the care, supervision, and management of the schools;

(2) To recommend to the board of trustees educational policies to meet the needs of the district, and to implement policies established by the board of trustees;

(3) To present nominations to the board of trustees for assistant and associate superintendents and to appoint all other school personnel;

(4) To provide for the evaluation of all school district personnel;

(5) To establish a school based management approach for decision making for the operation of the school;

(6) To prepare a budget and otherwise participate in budget development as required, and to authorize purchases consistent with the adopted school district budget;

(7) To report to the board of trustees, on a regular basis, the financial condition and operation of the schools, and to report annually on the educational progress of the schools;

(8) To establish appropriate advisory committees as needed to provide guidance on new directions and feedback on the operation of the schools;

(9) With policy guidance from the board of trustees and extensive involvement of the administrators and faculty in the school, to annually prepare a budget. The board of trustees shall approve the budget and transmit it to the commissioner. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education, upon recommendation of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, shall provide parameters for the overall budget request. Based on review and recommendation by the commissioner, the board of regents shall approve the total budget and incorporate it into its budget request to the governor and to the general assembly. Line item budgeting decisions shall be the responsibility of the superintendent; and

(10) To negotiate, along with the chairperson of the board of trustees and his or her appointed designee, all district employment contracts, which contracts shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education with the concurrence of the board of regents.

(i) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or otherwise interfere with the rights of teachers and other school employees to bargain collectively pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28, to exercise rights afforded under any statute including, but not limited to, Title 16, or to allow the commissioner, board of trustees or the superintendent to abrogate any agreement by collective bargaining.

(j) The appointment of the special state administrator for the Central Falls School District and the Central Falls School District Advisory Group, created by chapter 312 of the Rhode Island Public Laws of 1991, will no longer be in effect upon the selection and appointment of the board of trustees created in this section. All powers and duties of the special state administrator and the Central Falls School District Advisory Group are hereby transferred and assigned to the board of trustees created in this section, upon the selection and appointment of that board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-106-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-106 / Section 16-106-1
§ 16-106-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Performance Incentive Funding Act of 2016.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-15 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-15
§ 16-59-15. Liberal construction of chapter required.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be construed liberally in aid of its declared purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-18.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-18.3
§ 16-2-18.3. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the intent of this chapter. These regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the rule-making provisions of chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-20-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-20 / Section 16-20-2
§ 16-20-2. Special holidays for war effort.
Status: in_force

In addition to the holidays in § 16-20-1, the governor may proclaim school holidays for the purpose of using the school premises and/or personnel in whole or in part for the state and/or federal administration in connection with a war effort, and the days so proclaimed may on specific recommendation of the governor be deducted by the authorities of the several cities and towns from the gross number of school days required by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-64-1.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-64 / Section 16-64-1.2
§ 16-64-1.2. Designation of residency of children in state care for purposes of financial responsibility under § 16-64-1.1(c)  Effect of designation of residence.
Status: in_force

(a) An initial factual determination and designation of the residence of the parent(s) of a child placed in the care and custody of the state shall be made by the family court in accordance with § 33-15.1-2. The director of the department of children, youth, and families shall incorporate any designation of parents residence on the childs intra-state education identification card and update the designation pursuant to § 42-72.4-1(b).

(b) If no factual determination and designation of the residence of the parent(s) of a child placed in the care and custody of the state is made by the family court pursuant to § 16-64-1.2(a), then the department of elementary and secondary education shall designate the city or town to be responsible for the per-pupil special education cost of education to be paid to DCYF or to the facility providing educational services for children in state care pursuant to § 16-64-1.1(c).

(c) The department of elementary and secondary education shall designate the city or town to be responsible for the per-pupil special education cost of education to be paid to DCYF for children in state care who have neither a father, mother, nor guardian living in the state or whose residence can be determined in the state or who have been surrendered for adoption or who have been freed for adoption by a court of competent jurisdiction using the following criteria: (1) last known Rhode Island residence of the childs father, mother, or guardian prior to moving from the state, dying, surrendering the child for adoption or having parental rights terminated; (2) when the childs parents are separated or divorced and neither parent resides in the state, the last known residence of the last parent known to have lived in the state. This designation by the department of elementary and secondary education shall be incorporated on the childs intra-state education identification card.

(d) The designation of a city or town pursuant to subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall constitute prima facie evidence of parents residence in the city or town and/or the city or towns financial responsibility for the childs education as provided in § 16-64-1.1. Pending any final decision under § 16-64-6 that a different city, town or agency bears any financial responsibility, the commissioner shall be authorized to order the general treasurer to deduct the amount owed from the designated communitys school aid and to pay this amount to DCYF.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-19 / Section 16-19-6
§ 16-19-6. Proceedings against habitual truants and offenders.
Status: in_force

Every habitual truant, that is, every child who is required under § 16-19-1 to attend school and who willfully and habitually absents himself or herself from attending school; and every habitual school offender, that is, every child who is required to attend school under the provision of § 16-19-1, but who persistently violates the rules and regulations of the school which he or she attends, or otherwise persistently misbehaves in the school which he or she attends, so as to render him or herself a fit subject for exclusion; shall be deemed a wayward child as provided in chapter 1 of title 14, and shall be subject to all the provisions of chapter 1 of title 14, and may be proceeded against and dealt with as a wayward child in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1 of title 14.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-41-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-41 / Section 16-41-2
§ 16-41-2. Effective date.
Status: in_force

When the authority shall have executed the compact on behalf of this state and shall have caused a verified copy to be filed with the secretary of state, then the compact shall become operative and effective as between this state and the other state or states. The authority is authorized and directed to take any action that may be necessary to complete the exchange of official documents as between this and any other state executing the compact.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-9
§ 16-105-9. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-5
§ 16-11-5. Interstate agreement.
Status: in_force

The interstate agreement on qualification of education personnel is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein, in the form substantially as follows:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-5
§ 16-62-5. General powers.
Status: in_force

The authority shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including without limiting the generality of the preceding statement, the power:

(1) To sue and be sued, complain, and defend, in its corporate name.

(2) To have a seal which may be altered at pleasure, and to use it by causing it, or a facsimile of it, to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

(3) To purchase, take, receive, lease, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use, and deal in and with, real or personal property, or any interest in it, wherever situated.

(4) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and dispose of all or any part of its property and assets for any consideration and upon any terms and conditions as the authority shall determine.

(5) To make contracts and incur liabilities, and borrow money at any rates of interest as the authority may determine.

(6) To make and execute all contracts, agreements, and instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers and functions of the authority granted by this chapter.

(7) To lend money for its purposes, and invest and reinvest its funds.

(8) To conduct its activities, carry on its operations, and have offices and exercise the powers granted by this chapter, within or without the state.

(9) To elect, appoint, or employ in its discretion officers and agents of the authority, and define their duties and fix their compensation.

(10) To make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with this chapter, for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the authority, and those bylaws may contain provisions indemnifying any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the authority, in the manner and to the extent provided in § 7-1.2-814.

(11) To have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect its purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-4
§ 16-9-4. Town providing for schoolhouses.
Status: in_force

Any town may vote, in a meeting notified for that purpose, to provide schoolhouses, together with the necessary fixtures and appendages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-30 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-30
§ 16-22-30. Statewide academic standards.
Status: in_force

(a) The council on elementary and secondary education (the council) shall direct the commissioner of elementary and secondary education (the commissioner) to institute a process to develop statewide academic standards for the core subjects of mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts. This process shall:

(1) Be open and consultative;

(2) Include, but need not be limited to, a culturally and racially diverse group of classroom teachers and students; and

(3) Include, but need not be limited to, reviewing and revising current standards, as well as adopting new ones, if deemed appropriate.

(b) The commissioner shall develop the statewide academic standards pursuant to this section by no later than December 31, 2019, and again as required by the councils procedures set forth in subsection (f) of this section. The standards shall:

(1) Cover grades prekindergarten through grade twelve (PK-12);

(2) Clearly set forth the skills, competencies, and knowledge expected to be demonstrated by all students at the conclusion of individual grades or grade spans;

(3) Be formulated so as to set high expectations for student performance;

(4) Provide clear and specific examples that embody and reflect these high expectations;

(5) Be constructed with due regard to the established research and recommendations of national organizations, to the best of similar efforts in other states, and to the level of skills, competencies, and knowledge possessed by typical students in the most educationally-advanced nations. The skills, competencies, and knowledge set forth in the standards shall define the performance outcomes expected of both students directly entering the workforce and of students pursuing higher education. In addition, the skills, competencies, and knowledge set forth in the standards shall inform the design and implementation of the Rhode Island comprehensive assessment system (RICAS) in mathematics, English language arts, and science and technology. The RICAS shall align with federal law, be in place for no fewer than ten (10) years, and facilitate comparisons of students of other states and nations;

(6) Be designed to instill respect for the cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity of this state, and for the contributions made by diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial groups to the life of this state;

(7) Be designed to avoid perpetuating gender, cultural, ethnic, or racial stereotypes;

(8) Reflect sensitivity to different learning styles;

(9) Reflect sensitivity to impediments to learning, which may include issues related to, but not limited to, cultural, financial, emotional, health, and social factors; and

(10) Be in a form readily comprehensible by the general public.

(c) This section shall not require the abandonment of any standards already in place, so long as the commissioner determines that these standards meet the statewide goals contained herein.

(d) The commissioner shall submit a copy of the standards to the council for approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the standards taking effect.

(e) Upon approval, the council shall make the standards available to the public.

(f) The council shall develop procedures for updating, improving, or refining standards pursuant to this section by no later than September 1, 2021. The procedures shall include a requirement that the council review and evaluate the standards regularly to ensure that the high quality of the standards is maintained. The review cycle shall begin in 2025, with subsequent reviews taking place in 2029, 2033, and every four (4) years thereafter.

(g) On or before December 1, 2020, and annually thereafter on or before December 1, the commissioner shall report to the governor, president of the senate, and the speaker of the house, regarding the standards developed and reviewed pursuant to this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-115-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-115 / Section 16-115-1
§ 16-115-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Early Care and Education Workforce Data Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-17 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-17
§ 16-21-17. School bus safety programs.
Status: in_force

Every school department shall provide school bus safety instructions for all children in grades kindergarten through six (6). The instruction shall take place at least four (4) times per year, two (2) of which shall take place during the months of September and October.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-21.6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-21.6
§ 16-2-21.6. Collective bargaining fiscal impact statements.
Status: in_force

(a) Prior to executing any collective bargaining agreement between a school committee and representatives of teachers and/or other school employees, the school committee in any municipality, or regional school district with an elected school committee, or the chief executive officer in any municipality with an appointed school committee shall prepare or cause to be prepared a collective bargaining fiscal impact statement. These statements shall set forth, in dollar amounts, estimates of the fiscal impact, during the term of the proposed agreement. No comment or opinion relative to the merits of the terms of the contract shall be included, except that technical or mechanical errors or defects may be noted.

(b) The fiscal impact statement and the awarded contract shall be publicized and shall be made immediately available upon ratification of the contract.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-103-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-103 / Section 16-103-5
§ 16-103-5. Exceptions.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not apply to information about a student that is publicly available.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-52-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-52 / Section 16-52-2
§ 16-52-2. Appointment of campus police.
Status: in_force

(a) The board of governors for higher education may appoint one or more persons who may act as police officers upon the property and highways of state colleges and universities subject to the control of the board. The campus police officers shall protect the property of each college or university, suppress nuisances and disturbances and breaches of the peace, and enforce laws and regulations for the preservation of good order. They shall have the same powers and authority as that conferred upon municipal police officers, including the power to arrest persons for violations of state criminal statutes or for violations of city or town ordinances of the city or town in which the institution is located. They shall not carry firearms unless expressly authorized by the board of governors. Additionally, any campus police officer observing the violation of any rule or regulation of the board adopted pursuant to this chapter, including but not limited to parking and traffic regulations, may issue a summons in the manner and form set forth in § 31-27-12 or § 31-41.1-1 returnable to the district court, the police court of the city or town where the violation occurs, or the traffic tribunal as provided by law.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all fines and penalties recovered for violation of rules and regulations made under authority of this section shall be accounted for by the appropriate authority, which shall forward all fines or penalties for nonmoving traffic violations to the general treasurer for use by the college or university on whose campus the citation or violation was issued in accordance with § 16-32-27.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-100 / Section 16-100-3
§ 16-100-3. Policy implemented.
Status: in_force

(a) The board of education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide dual enrollment policy that shall allow students to enroll in courses at postsecondary institutions to satisfy academic credit requirements in both high school and the aforementioned postsecondary institutions. The regulations shall address the postsecondary institutions graduation requirements, if any; the institutions ability to award degrees/certificates in Rhode Island; the minimum course grade to receive credit at the students secondary school; and any other criteria that the board deems appropriate.

(b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of the postsecondary commissioner, superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance counselors, and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to a dual enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to chapter 7.2 of this title; academic supports; transportation; possible shared costs of the education; possible fee schedules; manners in which low-income students could access the program; and possible contracted tuition costs with our public higher education institutions.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments to public institutions of higher education for dual and concurrent enrollment shall be limited to no greater than the appropriation contained in the appropriations act. On or before September 30, 2017, the council on postsecondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations enforcing this limitation.

(d) Students in grade twelve (12) enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in § 16-22-4(a).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-26-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-26 / Section 16-26-7
§ 16-26-7. Persons admissible.
Status: in_force

(a) All children of parents, or under the control of guardians or other persons, legal residents of this state, between the ages from birth to twenty-one (21) years, whose hearing or speech, or both, are impaired as to make it impracticable for this student to make progress toward his or her educational goals by attending the public schools may attend the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, without charge, under any rules and regulations as the board of regents for elementary and secondary education may establish.

(b) Deaf persons from birth to twenty-one (21) years, who are legal residents of the state, shall be entitled to the privilege of the school without charge, and for any period of time in each individual case as may be deemed appropriate by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education; residents of other states may be admitted upon the payment of any rates of board and tuition as may be fixed by the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-43-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-43 / Section 16-43-3
§ 16-43-3. Accounts and records.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education shall prescribe regulations for the keeping of accounts and records and the making of reports by or under the supervision of school committees. These accounts and records shall be available for inspection and audit by authorized agents of the federal government or by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or his or her duly authorized agents. The department of elementary and secondary education shall conduct or cause to be conducted any audits, inspections, and administrative reviews of accounts, records, and operations with respect to educational programs established under 20 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq. considered necessary to determine whether its agreements with school committees and regulations pursuant to this chapter are being complied with, and to insure that those programs are effectively administered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-35-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-35 / Section 16-35-3
§ 16-35-3. Commissioner as member of board of directors.
Status: in_force

The commissioner of higher education shall, by virtue of his or her office, be a member of the board of directors of the school of design.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-53-7.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-53 / Section 16-53-7.1
§ 16-53-7.1. Trustee funding.
Status: in_force

The trustees shall be supported by funding to provide for the initiation and start-up of the trustees, and for any ongoing expenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-64-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-64 / Section 16-64-2
§ 16-64-2. Retention of residence.
Status: in_force

A child shall be eligible to receive education from the city or town in which the childs residence has been established until his or her residence has been established in another city or town and that city or town has enrolled the child within its school system, unless the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, pursuant to § 16-64-6, has ordered otherwise. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit a city or town in its own discretion from enrolling a child within its school system before a child has established technical residency within the city or town. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate any rules that may be needed to implement the educational provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 105-220), 42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-2.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-2.3
§ 16-11-2.3. Standardized testing  Issuance of certificates.
Status: in_force

(a) No person who obtained an initial certificate prior to January 8, 2002 shall be barred from certification under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teachers examination; provided, however, that he or she successfully completes an assessment, based on criteria established by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, in accordance with 34 CFR § 200.56.

(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may administer a written examination to prospective teachers seeking certification.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-41.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-41.1
§ 16-7-41.1. Eligibility for reimbursement.
Status: in_force

(a) School districts, not municipalities, may apply for and obtain approval for a project under the necessity of school construction process set forth in the regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education, provided, however, in the case of a municipality that issues bonds through the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation to finance or refinance school facilities for a school district that is not part of the municipality, the municipality may apply for and obtain approval for a project. Such approval will remain valid until June 30 of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the council on elementary and secondary educations approval is granted. Only those projects undertaken at school facilities under the care and control of the school committee and located on school property may qualify for reimbursement under §§ 16-7-35  16-7-47. Facilities with combined school and municipal uses or facilities that are operated jointly with any other profit or nonprofit agency do not qualify for reimbursement under §§ 16-7-35  16-7-47. Projects completed by June 30 of a fiscal year are eligible for reimbursement in the following fiscal year. A project for new school housing or additional housing shall be deemed to be completed when the work has been officially accepted by the school committee or when the housing is occupied for its intended use by the school committee, whichever is earlier.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board of regents shall not grant final approval for any project between June 30, 2011, and May 1, 2015, except for projects that are necessitated by immediate health and safety reasons. In the event that a project is requested during the moratorium because of immediate health and safety reasons, those proposals shall be reported to the chairs of the house and senate finance committees.

(c) Any project approval granted prior to the adoption of the school construction regulations in 2007, and which are currently inactive; and any project approval granted prior to the adoption of the school construction regulations in 2007 which did not receive voter approval or which has not been previously financed, are no longer eligible for reimbursement under this chapter. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop recommendations for further cost containment strategies in the school housing aid program.

(d) Beginning July 1, 2015, the council on elementary and secondary education shall approve new necessity of school construction applications on an annual basis. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop an annual application timeline for local education agencies seeking new necessity of school construction approvals.

(e) Beginning July 1, 2019, no state funding shall be provided for projects in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) unless the prime contractor for the project has received prequalification from the school building authority.

(f) Beginning July 1, 2019, the necessity of school construction process set forth in the regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education shall include a single statewide process, developed with the consultation of the department of environmental management, that will ensure community involvement throughout the investigation and remediation of contaminated building sites for possible reuse as the location of a school. That process will fulfill all provisions of § 23-19.14-5 related to the investigation of reuse of such sites for schools.

(g) Beginning July 1, 2019, school housing projects exceeding one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) subject to inflation shall include an owners program manager and a commissioning agent. The cost of the program manager and commissioning agent shall be considered a project cost eligible for aid pursuant to §§ 16-7-41 and 16-105-5.

(h) Temporary housing, or swing space, for students shall be a reimbursable expense so long as a district can demonstrate that no other viable option to temporarily house students exists and provided that use of the temporary space is time limited for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) months and tied to a specific construction project.

(i) Environmental site remediation, as defined by the school building authority, shall be a reimbursable expense up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) per project.

(j) If, within thirty (30) years of construction, a newly constructed school is sold to a private entity, the state shall receive a portion of the sale proceeds equal to that projects housing aid reimbursement rate at the time of project completion.

(k) All projects must comply with § 37-13-6, ensuring that prevailing wage laws are being followed, and § 37-14.1-6, ensuring that minority business enterprises reach the required minimum participation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-13
§ 16-62-13. Notes and bonds as legal investments.
Status: in_force

The notes and bonds of the authority are made securities in which all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, including, but not limited to, the authority, all companies and associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries, and all other persons who are now or may after this be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state, may properly and legally invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-19 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-19
§ 16-3-19. Costs of operation  Payment of debts  Apportionment among district members.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The cost of the operation of a regional school district and the cost of payment of an indebtedness of the regional school district authorized by the regional school district financial meeting or regional representatives under the provisions of § 16-3-14 shall be borne by the member towns and/or cities that comprise the regional school district in that proportion that the equalized weighted assessed valuation of the property of the towns and cities that lie within the regional school district as determined from the latest figure certified by the department of revenue bears to the total equalized weighted assessed valuation of the total property of the regional school district, or, if the figures from the department of revenue are not available, the latest figures on equalized weighted assessed valuation used by the state department of elementary and secondary education in determining equalization aid under chapter 7 of this title shall be used.

(2) However, the apportionment of the cost of operating a regional school district and the cost of paying indebtedness may be determined by the members towns and/or cities that comprise the regional school district in a manner approved by a majority vote within each member community.

(b) On or before March 1 in each year the treasurer of the regional school district shall determine the proportionate share of the cost of the operation and the cost of the capital debt service payments of the regional school district for the next regional school district fiscal year to be borne by the towns and/or cities that comprise the regional school district in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, and he or she shall notify the town or city treasurer of the towns and/or cities comprising the regional school district of the total amount of money necessary to be raised from the regional school district taxpayers of each town or city for the operation of the regional school district for the fiscal year following.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-99-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-99 / Section 16-99-5
§ 16-99-5. Reporting.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall report to the senate president, speaker of the house, and the governor on the progress of this initiative on or before May 1st, 2014, and on an annual basis by May 1st of each year thereafter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-8
§ 16-105-8. School building authority advisory board established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a school building authority advisory board that shall advise the school building authority regarding the best use of the school building authority capital fund, including the setting of statewide priorities, criteria for project approval, and recommendations for project approval and prioritization.

(b) The school building authority advisory board shall consist of seven (7) members as follows:

(1) The general treasurer, or designee;

(2) The director of the department of administration, who shall serve as chair;

(3) The chair of the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation; and

(4) Four (4) members of the public, appointed by the governor, and who serve at the pleasure of the governor, each of whom shall have expertise in education and/or construction, real estate, or finance. At least one of these four (4) members shall represent a local education agency and at least one of these four (4) members shall be an educator.

(c) In addition to the purposes in subsection (a), the school building authority advisory board shall advise the school building authority on, including but not limited to, the following:

(1) The project priorities for the school building authority capital fund;

(2) Legislation as it may deem desirable or necessary related to the school building authority capital fund and the school housing aid program set forth in §§ 16-7-35 to 16-7-47;

(3) Policies and procedures designed to reduce borrowing for school construction programs at both state and local levels;

(4) Development of a formal enrollment projection model or consideration of using projection models already available;

(5) Processes and procedures necessary to apply for, receive, administer, and comply with the conditions and requirements respecting any grant, gift, or appropriation of property, services, or monies;

(6) The collection and maintenance of a clearinghouse of prototypical school plans which may be consulted by eligible applicants and recommend incentives to utilize these prototypes;

(7) The determination of eligible cost components of projects for funding or reimbursement, including partial or full eligibility for project components for which the benefit is shared between the school and other municipal and community entities;

(8) Development of a long-term capital plan in accordance with needs and projected funding;

(9) Collection and maintenance of data on all the public school facilities in the state, including information on size, usage, enrollment, available facility space, and maintenance;

(10) Advising districts on the conduct of a needs survey to ascertain the capital construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and other capital needs for schools across the state;

(11) The recommendation of policies, rules, and regulations that move the state toward a pay-as-you-go funding system for school construction programs; and

(12) Encouraging local education agencies to investigate opportunities for the maximum utilization of space in and around the district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-23-3.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-23 / Section 16-23-3.1
§ 16-23-3.1. Reimbursements to municipalities for costs of English/language arts and history/social studies textbooks for students in grades K-12.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established a textbook reimbursement fund for which the general assembly shall make a specific appropriation. The department of elementary and secondary education shall administer the appropriation. School districts shall submit to the department of elementary and secondary education evidence of the cost of English/language arts and/or history/social studies textbooks that the district has provided to students in grades K-12 pursuant to § 16-23-2. The costs shall be reimbursed from the textbook reimbursement fund by the department of elementary and secondary education upon presentation by a school district of the evidence of cost.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-66-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-66 / Section 16-66-1
§ 16-66-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Rhode Island School Staff Institute Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-33.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-33.1
§ 16-2-33.1. City of Woonsocket  School dress code.
Status: in_force

The Woonsocket school committee, in conjunction with the superintendent, may adopt a school dress code for Woonsocket elementary, middle and high school students; provided, that:

(1) the principal, staff and parents have had an opportunity to offer suggestions and comments;

(2) the dress code shall be adopted at a time determined by the school committee, and the school committee shall give notice to the parents three (3) months before a dress code is required; and

(3) that on days when a nationally recognized youth organization has a scheduled function students participating in this organization shall be exempt from the dress code on that day.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-24 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-24
§ 16-21-24. Requirements of school safety plans, school emergency response plans, and school crisis response plans.
Status: in_force

(a) School safety plans, as required by this chapter, shall address, but not to be limited to, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The school safety plans shall include, at a minimum, the following policies and procedures:

(1) Appropriate prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and intervention strategies which are based on data to target priority needs and which make use of effective actions based on currently accepted best practices and once developed, the appropriate parts of the state model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1 that include consistent, plain language and terminology;

(2) Formalized collaborative arrangements with state and local law enforcement and firefighter officials, designed to ensure that school safety officers and other security personnel are adequately trained, including being trained to de-escalate potentially violent situations, and are effectively and fairly recruited;

(3) Policies and procedures relating to school building security, including where appropriate the use of school safety officers and/or security devices or procedures;

(4) Policies and procedures for annual school safety training and a review of the school crisis response plan for staff and students;

(5) Protocols for school personnel and students responding to swatting, bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions, and kidnappings that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1. For purposes of this chapter, swatting means the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of law enforcement personnel to a particular address;

(6) Policies and procedures for responding to violence by students, teachers, other school personnel as well as visitors to the school that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1;

(7) Policies and procedures for responding to acts of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel and visitors to the school that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1;

(8) Policies and procedures for contacting appropriate law enforcement officials and EMS/Fire, in the event of a violent incident and that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1;

(9) Policies and procedures for notification and activation of the school crisis response team that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan pursuant to § 16-21-23.1;

(10) Policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians, or persons in parental relation to the students of the city, town, or region in the event of a violent incident;

(11) Policies and procedures for the dissemination of informative materials regarding the early detection of potentially violent behaviors, including, but not limited to, the identification of family, community, and environmental factors, to teachers, administrators, school personnel, persons in parental relation to students of the city, town, or region students and other persons deemed appropriate to receive that information;

(12) Strategies for improving communication, including use of common, consistent plain language by school district officials, school officials, and emergency responders, among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents, such as the establishment of youth-run programs, peer mediation, conflict resolution, creating a forum or designating a mentor for students concerned with bullying or violence, and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for school violence;

(13) A description of the duties of hall monitors and any other school safety personnel, including the school crisis response team, and the training requirements of all personnel acting in a school security capacity and policies and procedures for students, personnel who are in the hallway during a lockdown or similar emergency situation that include consistent language and terminology that is recommended by the department of elementary and secondary education;

(14) Policies and procedures for providing notice of threats of violence or harm to the student or school employee who is the subject of the threat. The policy shall define threats of violence or harm to include violent actions and threats of violent actions either individually or by groups, but shall not include conduct or comments that a reasonable person would not seriously consider to be a legitimate threat;

(15) Policies and procedures for disclosing information that is provided to the school administrators about a students conduct, including, but not limited to, the students prior disciplinary records, and history of violence, to classroom teachers, school staff, and school security, if they have been determined by the principal to have a legitimate need for the information in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities and for protecting such information from any further disclosure;

(16) Procedures for determining whether or not any threats or conduct established in the policy may be grounds for discipline of the student. School districts, school committees, school officials, and school employees providing notice in good faith as required and consistent with the committees policies adopted under this section are immune from any liability arising out of such notification; and

(17) Procedures for students and school staff to both prepare for and to participate in emergency drills.

(b) School safety plans, as required by this chapter, shall further include school emergency response plans specific to each school building contained within each city, town, or regional school district, and shall be developed and approved in consultation with local police and fire. The state police shall provide consultation for those school districts that for whatever reason may not have access to local police. School emergency response plans shall include, and address, but not be limited to, the following elements:

(1) Policies and procedures for the safe evacuation of students, teachers, and other school personnel as well as visitors to the school in the event of a serious violent incident or other emergency, which shall include evacuation routes and shelter sites and procedures for addressing medical needs, transportation, and emergency notification to persons in parental relation to a student. For purposes of this subdivision, serious violent incident means an incident of violent criminal conduct that is, or appears to be, life threatening and warrants the evacuation of students and/or staff;

(2) Designation of an emergency response team comprised of school personnel, local law enforcement officials, and representatives from local, regional, and/or state emergency response agencies, other appropriate incident response teams including a school crisis response team, and a post-incident response team that includes appropriate school personnel, medical personnel, mental health counselors, and others who can assist the school community in coping with the aftermath of a violent incident;

(3) Procedures for assuring that crisis response and law enforcement officials have access to floor plans, blueprints, schematics, or other maps of the school interior and school grounds, and road maps of the immediate surrounding area;

(4) Establishment of internal and external communication systems in emergencies that include consistent, plain language and terminology that is recommended by the model plan established pursuant to § 16-21-23.1;

(5) Definition and formalization of the chain of command in a manner consistent with the national interagency incident management system/incident command system;

(6) Procedures for review and the conduct of drills and other exercises to test components of the emergency response plan, including use of checklists as described in § 16-21-23.1;

(7) Policies and procedures for securing and restricting access to the crime scene in order to preserve evidence in cases of violent crimes on school property; and

(8) Policies and procedures for ensuring timely access to mental health services for those students and school employees affected by a violent incident.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-102-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-102 / Section 16-102-1
§ 16-102-1. Legislative purpose.
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of the Rhode Island teachers advisory council to provide a streamlined communication mechanism between teachers and the state board of education, the policy setting board of elementary and secondary education by:

(1) Providing teachers with the ability to inform policymakers about implementation, concerns, and or practical issues regarding regulations and/or policies, whether proposed or promulgated;

(2) Bringing voices of classroom teachers into the conversation about policies and regulations which impact classroom activities; and

(3) Improving the conversation about the policies and regulations regarding our education system to ensure their successful implementation that benefits all Rhode Island students.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-98-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-98 / Section 16-98-1
§ 16-98-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Access To Advanced Placement Courses For All Students Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-30 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-30
§ 16-32-30. Geographic information system  Laboratory.
Status: in_force

The University of Rhode Island is authorized and empowered to establish in connection with the university and within the department of natural resource sciences a geographic information system laboratory with suitable facilities for developing and maintaining a level of scientific and technical expertise in the use of computer technology in the management of land related natural resources. This will include maintaining a statewide data base of land related economic, physical, cultural, and natural resources and providing for controlled access of this database to the university community, other state, municipal, and federal departments and agencies, and the general public. The university shall, to the extent that facilities are available, offer courses for the training of students and the general public in methods and applications utilizing geographic information systems and shall perform applications research projects involving this technology at this laboratory. The university shall cooperate with and provide technical assistance to the division of planning of the department of administration in the management of the statewide geographic information system and shall advise other state, municipal, and federal departments and agencies and the general public in its use.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-9
§ 16-59-9. Educational budget and appropriations.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums it deems necessary for support and maintenance of higher education in the state and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the appropriations or so much of the sums that are necessary for the purposes appropriated, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers as the council on postsecondary education may by rule provide. The council shall receive, review, and adjust the budget for the office of postsecondary commissioner and present the budget as part of the budget for higher education under the requirements of § 35-3-4.

(b) The office of postsecondary commissioner and the institutions of public higher education shall establish working capital accounts.

(c) Any tuition or fee increase schedules in effect for the institutions of public higher education shall be received by the council on postsecondary education for allocation for the fiscal year for which state appropriations are made to the council by the general assembly; provided that no further increases may be made by the board of education or the council on postsecondary education for the year for which appropriations are made. Except that these provisions shall not apply to the revenues of housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities at the university of Rhode Island, Rhode Island college, and the community colleges including student fees as described in P.L. 1962, ch. 257 pledged to secure indebtedness issued at any time pursuant to P.L. 1962, ch. 257 as amended.

(d) All housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities at all public institutions of higher learning shall be self-supporting and no funds shall be appropriated by the general assembly to pay operating expenses, including principal and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses for the facilities, with the exception of the mandatory fees covered by the Rhode Island promise scholarship program as established by § 16-107-3 and the Rhode Island hope scholarship established by § 16-113-3. Any debt-service costs on general obligation bonds presented to the voters in November 2000 and November 2004 or appropriated funds from the Rhode Island capital plan for the housing auxiliaries at the university of Rhode Island and Rhode Island college shall not be subject to this self-supporting requirement in order to provide funds for the building construction and rehabilitation program. The institutions of public higher education will establish policies and procedures that enhance the opportunity for auxiliary facilities to be self-supporting, including that all faculty provide timely and accurate copies of booklists for required textbooks to the public higher educational institutions bookstore.

(e) The additional costs to achieve self-supporting status shall be by the implementation of a fee schedule of all housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities, including but not limited to, operating expenses, principal, and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses.

(f) The board of education is authorized to establish two (2) restricted-receipt accounts for the higher education and industry centers established throughout the state: one to collect lease payments from occupying companies, and fees from room and service rentals, to support the operation and maintenance of the facilities; and one to collect donations to support construction, operations and maintenance. All such revenues shall be deposited to the restricted-receipt accounts.

(g) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (d) of this section or any provisions of this title, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of any outstanding bonds issued by the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation or outstanding lease certificates of participation, in either case, issued for the benefit of the university of Rhode Island, the community college of Rhode Island, and/or Rhode Island college, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of any such bonds or certificates of participation, the general assembly shall annually appropriate any such sums it deems necessary from educational and general revenues (including, but not limited to, tuition) and auxiliary enterprise revenues derived from the university of Rhode Island, the community college of Rhode Island and Rhode Island college, to be allocated by the council on postsecondary education or by the board of trustees of the university of Rhode Island, as appropriate, in accordance with the terms of the contracts with such bondholders or certificate holders.

(h) The board of education is authorized to establish a restricted-receipt account for income generated by the Rhode Island nursing education center through the rental of classrooms, laboratories, or other facilities located on the Providence campus of the nursing education center. All such revenues shall be deposited to the restricted receipt account.

(i) The board of education is authorized to establish a restricted-receipt account for the receipt and expenditure of monies received from IGT Global Solutions Corporation for the purpose of financing scholarships relating to studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at an accredited educational institution. This account shall be housed within the budget of the office of the postsecondary commissioner and exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of § 35-4-27.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-23.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-23.2
§ 16-21-23.2. Threat assessment teams and oversight committees.
Status: in_force

(a) Each local school board or committee shall adopt written policies for the establishment of threat assessment teams, including the assessment of and intervention with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students consistent with the model policies developed by the school safety committee. The policies shall include procedures for referrals to community services or healthcare providers for evaluation or treatment when appropriate.

(b) The superintendent of each school district shall establish a district committee charged with oversight of the threat assessment teams operating within the district, which may be an existing committee established by the district. The committee shall include individuals with expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement.

(c) Each district superintendent shall establish, for each school, a threat assessment team that shall include persons with expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement. Threat assessment teams may be established to serve schools as determined by the district superintendent. Each team shall:

(1) Provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self;

(2) Identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported; and

(3) Implement policies adopted by the local school board or committee pursuant to subsection (a).

(d) Upon preliminary determination that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others, a threat assessment team shall immediately report its determination to the district superintendent or designee. The building administrator or designee may, if appropriate, attempt to notify the students parent or legal guardian. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude school district personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat.

(e) No member of a threat assessment team shall disclose any information obtained pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for which the disclosure was made to the threat assessment team.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-9
§ 16-32-9. Annual appropriations.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum as it may deem sufficient for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the university, the appropriation to be expended under the direction of the trustees and officers of the university. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the appropriations or so much of the sums that are necessary for the purposes appropriated, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers as the board of trustees may by rule provide. The board shall receive, review, and adjust the budget for the university and present the budget under the requirements of § 35-3-4.

(b) Any tuition or fee increase schedules in effect for the university shall be received by the board of trustees for allocation for the fiscal year for which state appropriations are made to the board by the general assembly; provided that no further increases may be made by the board for the year for which appropriations are made.

(c) All housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities at the university shall be self-supporting and no funds shall be appropriated by the general assembly to pay operating expenses, including principal and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses for the facilities. Any debt service costs on general obligation bonds presented to the voters in November 2000 and November 2004 or appropriated funds from the Rhode Island capital plan fund or the housing auxiliaries at the university of Rhode Island shall not be subject to this self-supporting requirement in order to provide funds for the building construction and rehabilitation program.

(d) The additional costs to achieve self-supporting status shall be by the implementation of a fee schedule of all housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities, including but not limited to, operating expenses, principal, and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses.

(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (c) of this section or any provisions of this title, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of any outstanding bonds issued by the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation or outstanding lease certificates of participation, in either case, issued for the benefit of the university of Rhode Island, the community college of Rhode Island, and/or Rhode Island college, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of any such bonds or certificates of participation, the general assembly shall annually appropriate any such sums it deems necessary from educational and general revenues (including, but not limited to tuition) and auxiliary enterprise revenues derived from the university of Rhode Island, the community college of Rhode Island and Rhode Island college, to be allocated by the council on postsecondary education or by the board of trustees, as appropriate, in accordance with the terms of the contracts with such bondholders or certificate holders.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-6
§ 16-24-6. Special education fund  Allocations to communities.
Status: in_force

(a) The state shall make available to the communities a special education fund to be appropriated annually for allocation to the communities for noncapital expenses for special education of children with disabilities in accordance with the regulations of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. The cost of special education, including evaluation, support services, and training, including the cost of special education personnel, materials and equipment, tuition, transportation, rent, and contractual services, of the children in the program continuum placements provided under § 16-24-2 shall be paid by the state to the city or town at the same times provided in § 16-7-17 based on the financial and census data for the second school year preceding; provided, however, that the amount of the payment for special education pupils in each of the particular program placements shall not exceed one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the state median for special education pupils in that same placement. In determining the applicable state median expenditure for special education pupils for the purpose of this section, the board of regents shall under § 16-24-2 differentiate between types of program continuum placements on the basis of the amount of time a child requires special programs outside of the regular classroom to meet his or her particular needs, the ratio of personnel to pupils required for the programs, and the efficiency and economy of operating the programs. The board of regents may distribute the payments through the cooperative service arrangements provided for under chapter 3.1 of this title. The payments shall be made only after approval and certification by the board of regents that the payments are made pursuant to this section, that cost of special education has been determined and reported in accordance with the standard accounting and reporting procedures provided for in subdivision (3) of § 16-24-2, and that the program placements have met the regulations and requirements prescribed by the board of regents. The auditor general shall audit these payments and report, in writing, any exceptions to the board of regents and to the joint committee on legislative services.

(b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall make a continuous evaluation of the operation of this section and at least once every three (3) years the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall review the findings of the commissioner and shall make its recommendations in writing to the governor and to the general assembly.

(c) The general assembly shall appropriate to the board of regents for elementary and secondary education out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for each fiscal year that sum needed to carry out the purpose of this section; provided, that for each fiscal year following 1987-1988, the total appropriation for this purpose shall not be less than eight percent (8%) over the appropriation for the preceding fiscal year. For each fiscal year commencing 1992-1993, the total appropriation for this purpose shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the approved special education excess expenditures. All entitlements except those in § 16-24-6.2 shall be ratably reduced if less than one hundred percent (100%) of the expenditures appropriated. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum or so much of it as may be required from time to time upon receipt by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers.

(d) This chapter contemplates that expenses for special education for children with disabilities will be determined in accordance with standard accounting and reporting procedures required pursuant to § 16-24-2(3), and will be separable from expenses with respect to which state financial support is provided in § 16-7-20; the same expenses may not be counted twice, that is, once for the purpose of § 16-7-20 and again for the purpose of this chapter. The allocations herein are subject to review and adjustment by the auditor general on the basis of more accurate census or other data that may be obtained by him or her.

(e) The department of elementary and secondary education shall deduct and retain the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) from the amount appropriated under subsection (c) of this section. This sum, which will serve as the state match to federal funds, shall be used by the department of elementary and secondary education to enter into an agreement with the division of vocational rehabilitation to procure the services of vocational rehabilitation counselors for special education students in the public schools, and the agreement shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-32 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-32
§ 16-2-32. Policy manual for school committee.
Status: in_force

(a) All school committees in the state will have a policy manual. The policy manual will have all school committee policies in writing, properly indexed, and kept up to date. The policy manuals will be a source used to govern each school system. Regularly updated policy manuals shall be made available to the public on the website of each school district. Provided, any school or school district comprehensive school safety plan regarding crisis intervention, emergency response, and management, including those adopted by a school committee pursuant to the provisions of § 16-21-23, shall be excluded from and shall not be made available to the public on a school or school district website.

(b) There is appropriated the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), from money not otherwise appropriated, to the department of elementary and secondary education to implement a school committee/administrator training program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-14
§ 16-59-14. Pertinence of certain law relating to state colleges to board of governors.
Status: repealed

The provisions of repealed §§ 16-31-8, 16-31-9, 16-31-10, 16-31-11, and 16-31-13 previously pertinent to the board of trustees of state colleges and made applicable to the board of governors for education are made applicable to the board of governors for higher education; provided, that § 16-59-23 shall not apply to members of the general assembly in their capacity as members of the board of governors.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-29-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-29 / Section 16-29-13
§ 16-29-13. Attendance at home classes.
Status: in_force

Attendance upon any class shall not be obligatory, but where there is a day or evening school maintained by a city or town in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, no resident of the city or town under twenty-one (21) years of age shall be allowed to attend any class except by permission of the superintendent of schools of the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-103-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-103 / Section 16-103-4
§ 16-103-4. Disciplinary action prohibited.
Status: in_force

No educational institution shall:

(1) Discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize any student for a students refusal to disclose or provide access to any information specified in § 16-103-2, or for refusal to add a coach, teacher, administrator, or other school employee or school volunteer to his or her list of contacts associated with a personal social media account, or to alter settings associated with a personal social media account, as specified in § 16-103-3; or

(2) Fail or refuse to admit any applicant as a result of the applicants refusal to disclose or provide access to any information specified in § 16-103-2 or for refusal to add a coach, teacher, school administrator, or other school employee or school volunteer to his or her list of contacts associated with a personal social media account or to alter settings associated with a personal social media account, as specified in § 16-103-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-70-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-70 / Section 16-70-3
§ 16-70-3. Program for the support of the onward we learn scholarship established.
Status: in_force

The council on postsecondary education is empowered to establish and provide as part of the operation of the office of the postsecondary commissioner methods and procedures for the states support of the onward we learn scholarship and provide financial and technical assistance as needed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-20 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-20
§ 16-21-20. Alternative placement and prevention activities.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education in conjunction with the attorney generals task force to prevent violence in schools shall develop requirements for the alternative placement of students suspended under the provision of § 16-21-18. The placements shall be cooperative efforts between the local school district, which shall be responsible for instruction of students, and other appropriate state and local agencies. Further, the department of elementary and secondary education in conjunction with the attorney generals task force shall establish policies in support of locally developed prevention and education activities that include broad parent, teacher, and community involvement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-113-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-113 / Section 16-113-1
§ 16-113-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-92-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-92 / Section 16-92-3
§ 16-92-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different construction:

(1) Active duty means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the Space Force, the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1209 and 1211.

(2) Children of military families means a school-aged child or children, enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the household of an active duty member.

(3) Compact commissioner means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed pursuant to § 16-92-9 of this chapter.

(4) Deployment means the period one month prior to the service members departure from their home station on military orders through six (6) months after return to their home station.

(5) Education or educational records means those official records, files, and data directly related to a student and maintained by the school or local education agency, including, but not limited to, records encompassing all the material kept in the students cumulative folder such as general identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualized education programs.

(6) Extracurricular activities means a voluntary activity sponsored by the school or local education agency or an organization sanctioned by the local education agency. Extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities.

(7) Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children means the commission that is created under this chapter, which is generally referred to as interstate commission.

(8) Local education agency means a public authority legally constituted by the state as an administrative agency to provide control of and direction for kindergarten through twelfth grade public educational institutions.

(9) Member state means a state that has enacted this compact.

(10) Military installation means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility, which is located within any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands and any other U.S. Territory. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.

(11) Non-member state means a state that has not enacted this compact.

(12) Receiving state means the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

(13) Rule means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated pursuant to § 16-92-13 of this chapter that is of general applicability, implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the interstate commission, and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state, and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

(14) Sending state means the state from which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

(15) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands and any other U.S. Territory.

(16) Student means the child of a military family for whom the local education agency receives public funding and who is formally enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

(17) Transition means: (i) The formal and physical process of transferring from school to school; or (ii) The period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in the receiving state.

(18) Uniformed service or services means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Services.

(19) Veteran means a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-7
§ 16-16-7. Credit for military leave.
Status: in_force

Any teacher who has been granted or shall be granted an official leave of absence by his or her superiors to enter the armed services of the United States shall have his or her service counted in his or her years of teaching, and his or her leave of absence shall in no way interrupt the continuity of his or her teaching service which for the purpose of computing retirement benefits under the state retirement system shall be deemed to be continuous service, provided the teacher was teaching for a minimum of six (6) months immediately prior to entry into the armed services and returned or returns to active teaching within one year following the date of his or her honorable discharge from the armed services, but in no event shall the credit exceed a maximum of four (4) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-8
§ 16-9-8. Late filing of petition by landowner not receiving personal notice.
Status: in_force

In case any owner of or person having an estate in or interested in the land shall fail to receive personal notice of the taking of the land, and shall fail to file his or her petition as provided in § 16-9-7, the court in its discretion may permit the filing of the petition subsequent to the period of one year from the filing of the description and statement; provided, the person shall have had no actual knowledge of the taking of the land in season to file the petition; and provided, the town, after the filing of the description and statement, shall not have paid any other persons claiming to own the land the price or value of the land, or be liable to pay for the land under any judgment rendered against the town under the provisions of §§ 16-9-5 to 16-9-8.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-21.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-21.3
§ 16-2-21.3. Meetings with city and town councils.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of §§ 16-2-21 and 16-2-21.2, the term town or city council means the town or city council or other elected body charged by either local charter or public law with either preparing the budget for submission to town meeting or for final adoption of the budget. Meetings between the town or city council, as defined, and the school committee shall be held under the provision of law governing the meetings of the council. The school committee of a regional school district shall meet independently with the council of each town or city within the regional school district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-7
§ 16-2-7. Distribution of documents and blanks by clerk.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the school committee, when required by the department of elementary and secondary education, shall distribute any school documents and blanks as shall be sent to the clerk to the persons for whom they are intended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-1
§ 16-16-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) The following words and phrases used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, have the following meanings:

(1) Active member means any teacher as defined in this section for whom the retirement system is currently receiving regular contributions pursuant to §§ 16-16-22 and 16-16-22.1.

(2) Beneficiary means any person in receipt of annuity, benefit, or retirement allowance from the retirement system as provided in this chapter.

(3) Child includes a stepchild of a deceased member who has been a stepchild for at least one year immediately preceding the date on which the member died or an adopted child of a deceased member without regard to the length of time the child has been adopted.

(4) Former spouse divorced means a person divorced from a deceased member, but only if the person meets one of the following conditions:

(i) Is the mother or father of the deceased members child(ren);

(ii) Legally adopted the deceased members child(ren) while married to the deceased member and while the child(ren) was under the age of eighteen (18) years;

(iii) Was married to the deceased member at the time both of them legally adopted a child(ren) under the age of eighteen (18) years; or

(iv) Was married to the deceased member for ten (10) or more years and to whom the deceased member was required by a court order to contribute post-divorce support.

(5) Member means any person included in the membership of the retirement system under the provisions of this chapter.

(6) Prior service means service as a teacher rendered prior to the first day of July, 1949, certified on the teachers prior service certificate and allowable as prior service under the provisions of this chapter.

(7) Retired teacher means any teacher who retired prior to July 1, 1949, pursuant to the provisions of G.L. 1938, ch. 195, as amended, and who on June 30, 1949, was in receipt of a pension under the provisions of that chapter.

(8) Retirement system and system means the employees retirement system of the state of Rhode Island created by chapter 8 of title 36, and retirement board means the board established under that chapter.

(9) Salary or compensation includes any and all salary paid for teaching services regardless of whether any part of the salary or compensation is derived from any state or federal grant or appropriation for teachers salaries, as the term is defined in § 36-8-1(8). Average compensation shall be defined in accordance with § 36-8-1(5)(b).

(10) Service means service as a teacher as described in subdivision (12) of this section. Periods of employment as teacher, principal, assistant principal, supervisor, superintendent, or assistant superintendent shall be combined in computing periods of service and employment.

(11) Spouse means the surviving person who was married to a deceased member, but only if the surviving person meets one of the following conditions:

(i) Was married to the deceased member for not less than one year immediately prior to the date on which the member died;

(ii) Is the mother or father of the deceased members child(ren);

(iii) Legally adopted the deceased members child(ren) while married to the deceased member and while the child(ren) was under the age of eighteen (18) years; or

(iv) Was married to the deceased member at the time both of them legally adopted a child(ren) under the age of eighteen (18) years.

(12) Teacher means a person required to hold a certificate of qualification issued by or under the authority of the council on elementary and secondary education and who is engaged in teaching as their principal occupation and is regularly employed as a teacher in the public schools of any city or town in the state, or any formalized, commissioner approved, cooperative service arrangement. The term includes a person employed as a teacher, supervisor, principal, assistant principal, superintendent, or assistant superintendent of schools, director, assistant director, coordinator, consultant, dean, assistant dean, educational administrator, nurse teacher, and attendance officer or any person who has worked in the field of education or is working in the field of education who holds a teaching or administrative certificate. In determining the number of days served by a 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. The term also includes a school business administrator whether or not the administrator holds a teaching or administrative certificate, and also includes occupational therapists and physical therapists licensed by the department of health and employed by a school committee in the state, or by any formalized, commissioner approved, cooperative service arrangement.

(13) Teaching includes teaching, supervising, and superintending or assistant superintending of schools.

(14) Total service means prior service as defined in subdivision (6) of this section, plus service rendered as a member of the system on or after the first day of July, 1949.

(15) For purposes of this chapter, domestic partner shall be defined as a person who, prior to the decedents death, was in an exclusive, intimate, and committed relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications:

(i) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to contract;

(ii) Neither partner was married to anyone else;

(iii) Partners were not related by blood to a degree that would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island;

(iv) Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of death; and

(v) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following:

(A) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;

(B) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;

(C) Two (2) of: (I) Joint ownership of motor vehicle; (II) Joint checking account; (III) Joint credit account; (IV) Joint lease; and/or

(D) The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedents will, retirement contract, or life insurance.

(b) The masculine pronoun wherever used shall also include the feminine pronoun.

(c) Any term not specifically defined in this chapter and specifically defined in chapters 8  10 of title 36 shall have the same definition as set forth in chapters 8  10 of title 36.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-5
§ 16-105-5. Procedure for school building authority capital fund project approval.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations that establish the process through which a city, town, or LEA may submit an application for school building authority capital funding. The department may also prescribe, without limitation, forms for financial assistance applications. All rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42, and shall apply to any projects submitted or reviewed on or after May 1, 2015.

(b) As part of the budget process, the governor shall specify the amount included in his/her budget recommendation that the school building authority may commit to new projects in the ensuing fiscal year, as well as any funding pursuant to § 16-105-7. Subsequently, the general assembly shall authorize the maximum amount that the school building authority may commit to new projects in the ensuing fiscal year.

(c) Each LEA shall develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive asset protection plan for every school building, not only buildings for which housing aid or school building authority capital funds are sought or received. Only LEAs that have adequate asset protection plans in place to maintain their school facilities are eligible for funding from the school building authority capital fund. LEAs must annually provide asset protection information to the department of elementary and secondary education. If an LEA fails to provide asset protection information in a fiscal year, it is not eligible to receive school building authority capital funds the next fiscal year.

(d) Upon issuance of the project priority list, the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation shall award financial assistance to cities, towns, and LEAs for approved projects. The corporation may decline to award financial assistance to an approved project which the corporation determines will have a substantial adverse effect on the interests of holders of bonds or other indebtedness of the corporation or the interests of other participants in the financial assistance program, or for good and sufficient cause affecting the finances of the corporation. All financial assistance shall be made pursuant to a loan or financing agreement between the corporation and the city, town or LEA, acting by and through the officer or officers, board, committee, or other body authorized by law, or otherwise its chief executive officer, according to terms and conditions as determined by the corporation, and each loan shall be evidenced and secured by the issue to the corporation of city or town obligations in principal amount, bearing interest at the rate or rates specified in the applicable loan or financing agreement, and shall otherwise bear such terms and conditions as authorized by this chapter and/or the loan or financing agreement.