RI
Rhode Island House Bill H7899
Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session
Menu
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H7899

Introduced
2/27/26  

Caption

Requires the names of any noncredentialled school employee who is terminated for good and just cause, to be furnished to the department of education.

Impact

The act will lead to the maintenance of a confidential list of noncredentialled employees who have been terminated for just cause. This list will not be public but will be accessible to hiring authorities within schools and school districts. The intention is to protect schools from hiring individuals with a history of unprofessional conduct while ensuring that transparency is upheld in the termination process. By establishing a formalized tracking system for such terminations, the bill aims to reduce the risk of repetitive harmful employment practices in educational settings.

Summary

House Bill H7899 seeks to establish new requirements regarding the termination of noncredentialled employees in Rhode Island's educational institutions. It mandates that any school principal, superintendent, or governing body that terminates a noncredentialled employee for good cause must report the termination to the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This reporting must occur within 60 days of termination, or within 60 days following the conclusion of any appeals regarding the termination. The bill is connected to improving accountability and transparency within the education system.

Contention

While the bill's supporters argue it will enhance school safety and the professional environments for students, there might be contention regarding the classification of 'good and just cause' for termination. Critics may argue that this system could be subject to misuse, where employers may dismiss employees for non-meritorious reasons under the guise of 'good cause.' Lawmakers may face debates over the nuances of employment rights for noncredentialled staff and whether this regulation creates unnecessary bureaucracy undermining the autonomy of educational institutions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0633

Requires the names of any noncredentialled school employee who is terminated for good and just cause, to be furnished to the department of education.

RI H5528

Requires the school district of a child in the custody of the department of children, youth and families (DCYF) to pay all the educational cost of the child if the child is place in another school district.

RI S0987

Provide protection for the rights of professional, administrative and secretarial employees of the department of education to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment.

RI H5227

Provide protection for the rights of professional, administrative and secretarial employees of the department of education to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment.

RI S0070

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

RI H5679

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

RI S0635

Requires immediate notification to the person in charge of the educational program when a child has a cardiac emergency and the head of the educational program must notify the department of education within 24 hours.

RI H5112

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

RI S0127

Requires the employers of unionized public school teachers, municipal employees and state employees, to provide the union, at least once every 120 days, a list of all their employees in their union, as well as their personal and demographic information.

RI H5266

Requires the employers of unionized public school teachers, municipal employees and state employees, to provide the union, at least once every 120 days, a list of all their employees in their union, as well as their personal and demographic information.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.