AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS (Provides that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared state of emergency be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.)

H8326

2026 -- H 8326
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LC006134
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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 -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

Introduced By:
Representatives Biah, Read, Speakman, Chippendale, Paplauskas, Potter,
Cruz, McNamara, J. Lombardi, and Hull

Date Introduced:
March 20, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-2 of the General Laws entitled "School Committees and
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Superintendents [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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16-2-3.1. School calendar flexibility during declared states of emergency.

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(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation requiring a minimum
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number of school days or instructional hours for public schools in the state, any day or days during
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which a public school is closed due to a state of emergency declared by the governor of the State
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of Rhode Island shall be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with the minimum school
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days calendar requirements,
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(b) School districts and public schools shall not be required to submit individual waiver
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requests to the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education for instructional
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days missed as a result of a declared state of emergency.
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(c) Any school day canceled due to a declared state of emergency shall not be required to
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be made up by extending the school year, adding additional school days, or otherwise modifying
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the approved school calendar.
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(d) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may issue general guidance
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to school districts regarding emergency closures, but shall not require individual waivers for
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closures occurring during the officially declared state of emergency period.
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(e) The provisions of this section shall apply only to school closures resulting directly from

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a natural disaster, severe weather event, public safety emergency, or other emergency conditions
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for which the governor has issued an official state of emergency declaration.
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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 -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS
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This act would provide that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared
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state of emergency would be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school
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days calendar requirements.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC006134
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