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S2280A
2026 -- S 2280 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC004050/SUB A/2
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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:
Senators Patalano, Dimitri, Thompson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Gallo,
Famiglietti, LaMountain, Burke, and Murray
Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026
Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
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. Every college and university subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of
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this section shall develop, maintain and annually thereafter review and update a comprehensive
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school safety and emergency response plan. No later than August 1 of each calendar year, the plan
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shall be submitted to the chief of police or the highest ranking officer of the local police department.
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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 shall be satisfied by adopting and
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implementing a plan that schools are required to have a documented and formal process for the
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implementation of a rapid access program for first responders that enables any law enforcement
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officer who may reasonably respond to an emergency first, with access to any locked external and
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internal door locks. This can include immediate access through secure electronic entry systems
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through the use of key fobs, card access, or secure key boxes that contain external and internal keys
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and meet the UL 1037 Standard For Antitheft Alarms And Devices or other means approved
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pursuant to the 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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