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H7894A
2026 -- H 7894 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC005058/SUB A
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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 -- ACCESS FOR CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
Introduced By:
Representatives Casey, McNamara, Speakman, Shallcross Smith,
Corvese, O'Brien, Read, Biah, and Azzinaro
Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026
Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 117
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ACCESS FOR CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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ORGANIZATION
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16-117-1. Definitions.
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For purposes of this section:
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(1) "Youth organization" means a national youth development organization chartered by
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Congress and listed in the following sections of Title 36 of the United States Code: §§30901("Boy
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Scouts of America"), 31101("Boys and Girls Clubs of America"), and 80301 ("Girl Scouts of the
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United States of America"); and which:
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(i) Serves young people under twenty-one (21) years of age; and
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(ii) Has an educational mission that develops life skills, leadership, workforce readiness,
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physical fitness and promotes community service, civic engagement, and patriotism.
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16-117-2. Access to schools.
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Upon request of a youth organization, each public school district and each public charter
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school shall provide:
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(1) Annual recruitment opportunity. At least one opportunity per school year for
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representatives of the youth organization to provide displays, brochures, flyers, on school property
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and the use of other existing digital communication channels for the purpose of student recruitment.
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(2) Classroom presentation. A scheduled date and time allowing representatives of the
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youth organization to speak with students for up to ten (10) consecutive minutes during classroom
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time and provide informational materials; provided that:
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(i) The presentation does not occur during instruction in a core curriculum subject; and
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(ii) School operations and instructional time are not materially disrupted.
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(3) Parent/guardian notification. Advance notice to parents or guardians describing:
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(i) The scheduled presentation; and
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(ii) The right of any parent or guardian to withhold consent for their child’s participation.
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16-117-3. Equal access not required for non-qualifying groups.
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A school district or charter school shall not be required to provide the access described in
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§ 16-117-2 to any entity not meeting the definition of a youth organization under § 16-117-1.
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16-117-4. Construction.
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Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
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(1) Interfere with school safety policies;
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(2) Authorize youth organizations to conduct activities inconsistent with school rules; or
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(3) Limit the authority of school administrators to maintain order or discipline.
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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 EDUCATION -- ACCESS FOR CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
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This act would require public schools to give certain congressionally chartered youth
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organizations limited access for recruitment and brief student presentations with parent notice,
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while preserving school safety and discretion.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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