AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.)

H7897

2026 -- H 7897
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LC005071
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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By:
Representatives Solomon, and Casey

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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16-21-24.1. Emergency access provisions of school safety plans.

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(a) On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, in addition to any applicable requirements of
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§ 16-21-24, every public and private school, certified educational institution, college and university
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located within the state that employs or enrolls twenty (20) or more staff members and students in
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the aggregate, shall comply with the provisions of this section.
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(b) Beginning July 1, 2026, every school and educational institution subject to the
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provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall develop, maintain and annually thereafter review
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and update a comprehensive school safety and emergency response plan. No later than August 1 of
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each calendar year, the plan shall be submitted to the department of education with a copy to the
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chief of police or the highest ranking officer of the local police department, and a copy to the
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director of public safety.
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(c)(1) Every comprehensive school safety and emergency response plan developed
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pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall include provisions ensuring immediate and
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unobstructed access to all of the school's or institution's facilities to include buildings, classrooms
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and grounds by law enforcement personnel and emergency medical personnel in responding to an
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emergency.
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(2) The provisions of subsection (c)(1) of this section may be satisfied by adopting and

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implementing a plan that provides immediate access through secure electronic entry systems
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through use of key fobs, card access, manual key access or other means approved pursuant to the
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review required in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section.
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(d)(1) The chief of police or designee for every local police department, for every school
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and institution within the jurisdiction of the police department, shall annually review the plans
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submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The chief of police may recommend to school
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or institution administrators any advisable changes or amendments to the plan. If the chief of police
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or chief's designee is satisfied with the provisions of the plan, the administrator of the school or
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institution shall be notified that the plan is approved. Approval of the plan or recommendations for
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changes or amendments shall be transmitted by the chief of police or designee to school or
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institution administrators no later than August 15, annually.
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(2) For every school or institution that is not located within a municipality with a local
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police department, the plan shall be submitted to and reviewed by the director of public safety or
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the director's designee and the director or designee shall perform all the requirements of this section
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required of a local chief of police or designee.
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(3) If any school or institution rejects or fails to implement any recommendation for
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changes or amendments provided to an administrator pursuant to this subsection, the local chief of
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police or designee shall notify the department of education of the rejection or noncompliance by
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September 1 or as soon thereafter as discovered.
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(e) The department of education, after consultation with the director of public safety, shall
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promulgate rules and regulations to implement and enforce compliance with the provisions of this
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section.
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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
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This act would require all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a
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school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders
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in an emergency.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005071
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