AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football)

H7115

2026 -- H 7115
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LC003590
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By:
Representatives McNamara, Donovan, Ackerman, Casimiro, Bennett,
Casey, Noret, Read, Paplauskas, and Fascia

Date Introduced:
January 15, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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16-21-44. Use of impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers in interscholastic league
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football.

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(a)(1) Recent developments in sports technology have created soft shell helmet covers.
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(2) These soft shell helmet covers have been shown to reduce the impact of collisions in
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contact sports by adding a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional hard-shelled
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football helmet.
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(3) As used in this section, the term “device” shall refer to a soft-shell helmet cover that
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adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet which layers are
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designed to reduce the impact of collisions to the body and the helmet, and thereby reduce the
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incidence and minimize the effects of concussions and other trauma to the body.
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(b)(1) Effective August 1, 2028, every student participating in the sport of football in the
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Rhode Island interscholastic league shall be required to wear an impact-reducing soft-shell helmet
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cover device at all times while participating in interscholastic league football games and practices
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during any time in which a traditional football helmet would be used. The devices shall be
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furnished by their respective school districts to all students participating in these sports; provided
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that, a parent, guardian, responsible adult, or a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older,
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may elect to opt out the student from wearing these devices for practices or games, or both.

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(2) These devices shall remain the property of the school district at all times.
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(c) The Rhode Island interscholastic league shall promulgate rules, regulations and
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standards regarding the selection and use of these devices.
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(d) The provisions of this section shall apply to all public school districts as well as any
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other school which participates in interscholastic league football.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2028.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
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This act would mandate the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-
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shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island
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interscholastic league football. Provided, a student or their parent or guardian could opt out the
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student from wearing these devices for practices or games.
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This act would take effect on July 1, 2028.
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LC003590
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LC003590 - Page 3 of 3