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Rhode IslandH74152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS .

Sponsored By: Mary Messier (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Better pay and pensions for charter staff

Teachers and administrators in district and independent charters must be certified. They are entitled to prevailing wages and benefits comparable to district staff. District charter employees are public school employees and participate in the state teachers’ retirement system. Their service counts for salary placement and retirement.

More charter seats for at-risk students

At least one-half of all charter schools must be designed to expand opportunities for at-risk pupils. This reserves a large share of limited charter slots for students who need extra support.

Stronger charter oversight, audits, and appeals

Charter applications must include clear academic goals, governance, finances, and annual audits. All charters must follow state and federal rules for financial records and audits. Nonprofit applicants face Auditor General review, must show a facility lease by June 1 before opening, and can lose approval for financial problems. Families can bring complaints to the school’s board, then to the state commissioner. Before denial, nonrenewal, or revocation, the state must hold a hearing. Charters can be closed for breaking the charter or law, failing goals, fiscal failures, or not being high‑performing after three years.

Charter growth capped and paused through 2029

Rhode Island now caps charter public schools at 25 statewide (down from 35). The state stops approving new or expanded charters that would start in the 2026–27, 2027–28, or 2028–29 school years. The state also does not fund any new or expanded charter in FY 2026–27 through FY 2028–29 unless it was approved before July 1, 2025. Mayoral academies are also blocked from starting or expanding in those school years. These limits take effect upon passage.

Basic charter stability and school-day rules

Charter approvals last up to five years, which adds stability for families. Every charter must provide at least 180 days of instruction each year.

Local sign-off rules for network charters

Network charters (covering multiple schools or grade spans) must get written support from each sending district. Support means a city or town council vote after at least one public hearing. If some districts refuse, the applicant can remove those districts and continue with the rest. Charters authorized by July 13, 2016 do not need local written support for expansions or renewals.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Messier

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Karen Alzate

    Democratic • House

  • Stephen M. Casey

    Democratic • House

  • Kathleen A. Fogarty

    Democratic • House

  • Jenni A. Furtado

    Democratic • House

  • Katherine S. Kazarian

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca M. Kislak

    Democratic • House

  • Robert D. Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Enrique Sanchez

    Democratic • House

  • Patricia A. Serpa

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 44

Senate vote • 6/11/2026

EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS Approval of Amendment Passage

Yes: 11 • No: 26

Senate vote • 6/11/2026

EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS In Concurrence

Yes: 31 • No: 6

House vote • 6/10/2026

CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS PASSAGE

Yes: 60 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 111

    6/18/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/11/2026Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/10/2026Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/10/2026House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026)

    6/8/2026House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/8/2026

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/6/2026

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)

    6/6/2026

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/10/2026

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/10/2026)

    3/6/2026

  12. Introduced, referred to House Education

    1/30/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7415 - As Introduced

    1/30/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • H7415 - Substitute

    1/30/2026

    HTMLPDF

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