AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS (Provides for better communication between sending and receiving districts regarding students receiving CTE or pathways education.)

H7341

2026 -- H 7341
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LC003591
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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 -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

Introduced By:
Representatives McNamara, Shanley, Bennett, Hopkins, and Solomon

Date Introduced:
January 28, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-45 of the General Laws entitled "Regional Vocational Schools
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[See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following section:
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16-45-12. Inter-district communication and accounting between sending or home
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districts and receiving districts for CTE and pathways education programs.

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(a) Effective July 1, 2026, for any student enrolled in, accepted to, or attending a state
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career and technical education (“CTE”) board-approved program of choice or a pathways education
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program, outside of the student's home district:
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(1) Any school district or regional vocational school that receives a student from outside
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of their district to provide and attend a career and technical education program of choice or a
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pathways education program ( the “receiving district”), shall report back to the home district,
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sometimes referred to in this chapter as the “sending district,” regarding the student’s status, on a
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quarterly basis, or when a significant change in circumstances has occurred, including when a
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student is no longer participating or matriculating in the CTE or pathways education program;
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(2) In instances when the receiving district’s costs to provide those education services are
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lower than the per pupil expenditure of the home district, the amount that the student’s home district
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shall be responsible for shall be limited to that lower cost of the receiving district; and
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(3) In regard to transportation costs, the student’s home district shall be required to pay
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only the actual cost of transportation of the student to the receiving district, notwithstanding any

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provisions to the contrary in chapter 21.1 of title 16 (“transportation of school pupils beyond city
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and town limits”)
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(b) The department of elementary and secondary education (the “department”) may
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promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
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This act would provide for better communication between sending and receiving districts
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regarding students receiving career and technical education or attending pathways programs outside
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of the student’s home district. This act would also adjust the costs between a sending and receiving
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district to educate and transport students receiving CTE or pathways education services.
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This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.
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