AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Requires the installation and use of a weapons detection system at every public entrance to any school building, gymnasium, school event facility, sporting event site and any site where a school hosts or participates in an event even if off campus.)

H7898

2026 -- H 7898
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LC005774
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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:
Representative Anthony J. DeSimone

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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16-21-44. Weapon detection systems in schools.
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(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
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(1) “Public entrance” means the main entrance to any school building, gymnasium, school
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event facility, sporting event site and any site where a school hosts or participates in an event even
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if off campus.
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(2) “School” means any private or public institution of elementary or secondary (K-12
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grade) education, accredited or recognized as a private or public school by the state department of
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education, to include every charter school, independent school and mayoral academy as defined in
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chapters 77.1 through 77.4 of title 16.
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(3) “Weapon detection system” means a walk-through security technology or integrated
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set of devices designated to detect, through electronic, visual or analytical means the presence of
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weapons including, but not limited to, firearms and hazardous objects. Such system shall be capable
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of detecting the presence of weapons irrespective of whether such weapons are carried by or
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otherwise in the possession or control of an individual.
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(b) Commencing January 1, 2027, every school, all school facilities and buildings, as well
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as sponsored or associated school events, and school-involved sporting and athletic field events
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and auditoriums shall have installed weapons detection systems at every public entrance. All public

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entrances that do not have a weapons detection system installed shall be locked and/or equipped
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with alarms in order to prevent entry from the outside, but shall remain operable from the inside to
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comply with the fire safety code.
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(c) In consultation and cooperation with the office of the attorney general, state law
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enforcement and the Rhode Island department of education, shall provide training in the use and
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maintenance of all weapon detection systems to school officials who shall use the equipment and
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protocol for responding when contraband is detected.
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(d) The Rhode Island department of education, shall promulgate rules and regulations to
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implement the provisions of this 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 the installation and use of a weapons detection system at every
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public entrance to any school building, gymnasium, school event facility, sporting event site and
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any site where a school hosts or participates in an event even if off campus.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005774
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LC005774 - Page 3 of 3