RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX, RELIEF ACT
Summary
H7456 amends Rhode Island’s Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to expand the list of state-funded categorical education expenses and to add a new staffing requirement for school social workers. The bill keeps existing state support for special education excess costs, career and technical education, early childhood programs, transportation reimbursements, regionalization bonuses, and school resource officers, while also preserving the Central Falls, Davies, and Met Center stabilization fund structure. It additionally directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to recommend allocation criteria for several of these funding streams and to prorate reimbursements if claims exceed appropriations.
The bill’s most significant new policy change is a statewide staffing mandate requiring every public school in grades K-12 to have at least one full-time certified school social worker for every 250 students. It also requires the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $2 million in fiscal year 2026 so districts and municipalities can hire more social workers. The act would take effect upon passage.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend § 16-7.2-6 of the Rhode Island General Laws and create a new statewide school social worker staffing standard, directly affecting public school districts and municipalities. It would also reinforce and expand the state’s role in funding categorical education costs, including special education, transportation, regionalization incentives, career and technical education, early childhood programs, and school resource officers, with prorated reimbursements when appropriations are insufficient. The bill would likely increase state education spending and impose new staffing expectations on local school systems.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is framed positively as an education-support measure, with emphasis on student services and school staffing. The bill caption and explanatory text focus on expanding access to social workers and providing dedicated funding, indicating a generally supportive policy intent. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence in the record of formal opposition or amendment debate.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill creates a new ongoing staffing expectation for every K-12 public school and adds a $2 million appropriation, which could raise concerns about state budget impact and local implementation costs. Another possible issue is whether the mandated social worker ratio is feasible for smaller districts or those already facing staffing shortages. The bill also continues a broader pattern of prorated categorical aid, which can create disputes among districts if appropriations are not sufficient to cover all eligible claims.
Amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to set the regionalization bonus at 2% of the state's share of foundation education aid for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and for each year thereafter.
Amends the term "extraordinary costs" for the purposes of excess costs associated with special education students. The new definition of extraordinary costs would be educational costs that are over 3 times the average statewide special education cost.
Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2027-2028, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.
Removes language that requires the department of elementary and secondary education to prorate funds to school districts in certain situations and eliminate funding for certain programs.