AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY (Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to disclose whether a potential applicant's name appears on a list of teachers terminated for good cause.)

H7528

2026 -- H 7528
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LC004824
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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 -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY

Introduced By:
Representatives Casimiro, Furtado, Cortvriend, and Potter

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-12 of the General Laws entitled "Rights and Duties of Teachers
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Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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16-12-12. Districts to consult list when hiring teachers who are new to the district.
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(a) The following definitions apply in this section unless the context clearly requires
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otherwise.
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(1) "Applicant" means an applicant for employment as a teacher in a certificated or
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classified position who is currently or was previously employed by a school district other than the
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district where the applicant is applying for employment.
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(2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary
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education.
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(3) "Employer" means a school district employer.
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(b) Before hiring an applicant, a school district shall contact the department, and the
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department shall disclose whether or not the applicant's name appears on a list of those teachers
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who have been terminated for good and just cause, which list is maintained by the department
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pursuant to § 16-13-9.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004824
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY
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This act would require that before hiring an applicant for employment as a teacher in a
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school district, the district would contact the department of elementary and secondary education,
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and the department would disclose whether or not the applicant's name appears on a list of those
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teachers who have been terminated for good and just cause, which list is maintained by the
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department pursuant to § 16-13-9.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004824
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