Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2789

Introduced
3/4/26  

Caption

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER, HEALTHCARE PLAN

Impact

The commission, which will consist of eleven members from various stakeholders including legislators and labor representatives, is expected to conduct a comprehensive review of existing teacher health insurance coverage. It will examine models from other states, evaluate potential cost efficiencies, and consider the impacts on state and municipal budgets. The findings will address how a statewide plan could improve healthcare access and affordability while maintaining the rights negotiated through collective bargaining.

Summary

Bill S2789 aims to establish a Special Legislative Commission in Rhode Island that will study and propose recommendations for a statewide healthcare plan specifically for public school teachers. The current structure for teacher health insurance in Rhode Island is varied across different school districts, leading to disparities in coverage and costs. By creating a standardized statewide plan, the goal is to enhance equity among educators and improve the overall access to quality healthcare, which is deemed crucial for recruiting and retaining talented teachers.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding the implications of transitioning to a statewide healthcare plan, particularly regarding existing collective bargaining agreements. Stakeholders concerned with labor rights may express apprehension about how the new plan will affect current negotiations and the quality of coverage that teachers receive. Additionally, the proposal's expected costs and its effect on municipal budgets could lead to debates among government officials, educators, and taxpayers alike.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5970

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE WHOLE-HOME REPAIRS PROGRAM (Creates 12-member commission to study and provide recommendations for the creation of a statewide whole-home repairs program, and who would report back to the General Assembly by January 5, 2026, and would expire on March 5, 2026.)

RI H6427

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE WHOLE-HOME REPAIRS PROGRAM (Creates 10-member commission to study and provide recommendations for the creation of a statewide whole-home repairs program, and who would report back to the Speaker of the House by January 5, 2026, and would expire on March 5, 2026.)

RI H5131

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO INMATES AND INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (RIDOC) (Creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC, and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2026, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2026.)

RI H6156

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN IN STATE CARE

RI H5161

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (Creates a special joint legislative study commission to study public ownership of certain public utilities, including electricity and natural gas.)

RI S0831

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SAFEGUARD RHODE ISLAND AGAINST THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (Creates an 11-member commission to study and provide recommendations to safeguard Rhode Island against use of nuclear weapons, and who would report back no later than August 6, 2026, and whose life would expire on November 6, 2026.)

RI S1156

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RETURN OF CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE (Creates a seven (7) member joint legislative commission to study and prepare a report on the return of Central Falls schools to local governance.)

RI H6418

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING THE USE AND BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS (Creates a 14 member commission to study and provide recommendations for viable alternative fuels, excluding solar and wind, and associated infrastructure and costs of its development, and would report back by March 10, 2026, and expire on May 10, 2026.)

RI S0518

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BAIL REFORMS ON BLACK RHODE ISLANDERS AND THE STATE

RI H5847

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE FINDINGS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE FLOODING OF THE PAWTUXET RIVER (Creates an 11-member commission to study and provide recommendations and potential solutions to address the flooding of the Pawtuxet River, and who would report back by March 2, 2026, and would expire on June 2, 2026.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.