AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY (Broadens the definition of "teacher" and create a comprehensive bill of rights for school teachers.)

H7529

2026 -- H 7529
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LC003868
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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:
Representative William W. O'Brien

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 16-12-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-12 entitled "Rights and
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Duties of Teachers Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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16-12-1. “Teacher” defined.
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The term “teacher,” as used in this chapter, is deemed to include every person employed
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as a teacher, supervisor,
school nurse, school guidance counselor, school social worker, school
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psychologist,
principal, or superintendent or assistant superintendent, of schools, whether
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employed in schools supported in whole or in part by public funds, or in colleges, or in public
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institutions, or in the department of elementary and secondary education.
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SECTION 2. 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. Teachers' bill of rights.

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All teachers shall be afforded the following rights:
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(1) A safe and healthy school environment, which shall:
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(i) Facilitate a constructive working relationship between teachers and administrators;
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(ii) Be free from discriminatory attitudes and practices and acts of hate and violence;
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(iii) Promote overall cleanliness on school grounds, buildings, common areas, and
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individual rooms.
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(2) To be treated with civility and respect;
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(3) To have all teachers work in an environment free from bullying and harassment from

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administrators, students, parents and/or teachers;
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(4) To be provided a safe, caring, orderly environment, in which the school district shall
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expect civility from all who engage in school activities including mutual respect, professionalism
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and common courtesy;
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(5) To not be subject to harassment, abusive language, and/or upbraiding by parents, other
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citizens, students and/or other school employees;
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(6) To not be required, coerced, intimidated, or subjected to discipline in any manner by
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school administration to change a grade or a test score;
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(7) To not be required to use their personal out-of-pocket money to appropriately equip a
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classroom with the supplies needed to teach and reach students;
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(8) To be provided with up-to-date technology, books and whatever else it takes to help
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students succeed;
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(9) To be free to share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or
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safety with the student's parent or legal guardian unless otherwise prohibited by state law or the
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federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA);
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(10) To be allowed to appropriately discipline students;
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(11) To have their professional judgment and discretion respected by their school and its
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administrators with respect to any disciplinary action taken by that teacher in accordance with
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school and district policy;
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(12) To freely communicate with and be allowed to request the participation of parents in
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appropriate student discipline decisions;
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(13) To have their authority respected which is essential to creating an environment
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conducive to learning, effective instruction in the classroom, and proper administration of public
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schools;
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(14) To have their professional judgment and discretion respected;
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(15) To report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of students to school
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officials or appropriate agencies;
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(16) To academic freedom which shall be guaranteed to employees, and no special
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limitations shall be placed upon study, investigation, presenting and interpreting facts and ideas
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concerning people, human society, the physical and biological world, and other branches of
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learning subject to accepted standards of professional responsibility;
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(17) To undergo board of education approved evaluations, that are not commenced more
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frequently than three (3) school years after the completion of the last evaluation, as long as the
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teacher's most recent rating earned was "highly effective," or a number "four" (4) or any equivalent

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thereof, or not more than two (2) school years after the completion of the last evaluation, as long
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as the teacher's most recent ratings earned was "effective" or a number "three" (3) or any equivalent
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thereof;
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(18) To be afforded full freedom in expressing personal opinions on all matters relevant to
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course content, so long as the teacher makes every effort to indicate that they are speaking
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personally and not on behalf of the school, its administration, or the board; and
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(19) To have the school department post on its website a summary of laws governing the
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rights and protections afforded to public school teachers under state and federal law.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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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 broaden the definition of "teacher" and create a comprehensive bill of rights
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for school teachers.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003868
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