AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Allows emergency preliminary certificates for teaching to be issued for up to a total of five (5) school years.)

H7728

2026 -- H 7728
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LC003867
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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 -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

Introduced By:
Representatives O'Brien, McNamara, Shallcross Smith, Craven,
Azzinaro, Corvese, Fellela, McEntee, Donovan, and Read

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See
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Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding
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thereto the following section:
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16-11-3.1. Emergency certification.

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Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter or any regulations to the contrary,
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including, but not limited to, § 16-11-3, the Rhode Island council on elementary and secondary
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education may, upon application, issue an emergency preliminary certificate to persons without
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examination for a period of one school year. This emergency preliminary certificate may be
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renewed annually, for four (4) additional school years, in order that the total time a person may
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receive an emergency preliminary certificate shall be up to five (5) school years. Applications for
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all renewals shall comply with the terms and conditions of 200 RICR 20-20 § 1.8.10.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003867
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS
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This act would allow emergency preliminary certificates for teaching to be issued for up to
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a total of five (5) school years.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003867
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