AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS (Removes the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.)

H7157

2026 -- H 7157
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LC003358
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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE
FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Introduced By:
Representatives Solomon, Casey, Casimiro, Baginski, and Bennett

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 45-19-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19 entitled "Relief of
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Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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45-19-4.1. Tuition to children of police officers dying or disabled as a result of service.
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(a) If an active member of the police force of a city or town is killed, dies, or becomes
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totally and permanently disabled from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duty
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as a member, or dies of a heart condition or any condition derived from hypertension while still a
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member, there shall be paid out of the general fund of the state of Rhode Island the charges for the
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tuition of children of the deceased or totally and permanently disabled police officer and/or the
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spouse of a police officer killed in the line of duty. The benefits are extended to the children and/or
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spouse who are attending or may attend the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or
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any other college or university operated by the state; provided, that the child has entered the
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institution while between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-one (21); and provided, further, that
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the aid granted is available to the child and/or spouse for the period of time that may equal the
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normal time for completing the courses regularly offered by the institution, but in no case more
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than four (4) years.
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(b) For the purpose of this section, the words “police officer” mean and include any
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member of the state police, any correctional officer within the department of corrections, or the
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police of any city or town regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage. Furthermore, this excludes

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auxiliary and volunteer police officers of city, town, or state police.
For the purpose of this section,
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the words “totally and permanently disabled” mean any impairment of mind or body making it
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impossible for one to follow continuously a gainful occupation.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE
FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS
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This act would remove the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the
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general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members
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of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003358
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LC003358 - Page 3 of 3