Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H8362

Introduced
3/27/26  

Caption

Expands foster care academic youth reports to include information regarding 504 eligibility, graduation progress and surrogate parents. The act would require implementation of additional strategies to improve performance and additional progress reports.

Impact

The passage of H8362 would require significant changes in how educational performance data is collected and reported by school districts. Superintendents will need to create annual reports detailing various metrics such as the number of foster care students receiving supplementary literacy instruction, their test scores, and their academic standing. Additionally, if the reports indicate that foster care youth are disproportionately failing, the necessary districts must develop remediation plans aimed at improving outcomes, which may include intervention strategies to provide additional support where gaps are identified.

Summary

House Bill H8362 aims to amend existing education laws in Rhode Island to improve the academic tracking and performance of students in foster care. The bill introduces new requirements for school districts to report on various aspects of educational achievement, including the percentage of foster care youth who receive 504 accommodations, special education services, and their overall status regarding graduation progress. The intention of the bill is to ensure that the educational needs of foster care youth are adequately met, especially since these children often face higher rates of academic failure and disciplinary issues compared to their peers.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding this bill may center around the implementation of these new reporting requirements and the resources required to effectively track and support foster care youth. Critics may argue that this could place additional burdens on already strained educational resources, while supporters will likely emphasize the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by foster care youth. Ensuring appropriate accommodations and supportive educational environments is critical, and thus, the bill seeks to mandate that all stakeholders remain accountable for the educational successes of these students.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0957

Extends the incentive pay plan to all full-time court clerks, including the traffic tribunal, who meet the eligibility requirements. It would also repeal ยง 8-4.1-6 regarding additional credit for a master's degree.

RI H5838

Would provide additional procedural safeguards for English as a second language learners and English language learners during the IEP process.

RI S0055

Includes the definition of "primary care services" and requires that all biennial reports shall include a review and recommendation of rates for primary care services on and after September 1, 2025.

RI H5255

Includes the definition of "primary care services" and requires that all biennial reports shall include a review and recommendation of rates for primary care services on and after September 1, 2025.

RI H5301

Expands responsibilities of agencies, persons or entities that store, own, collect, process, maintain, acquire, use, or licenses data, who experiences a security breach, include providing additional information to persons affected and law enforcement

RI S0526

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

RI H5893

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

RI S0523

Provides that commercial driver instruction would include industry-specific training on the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.

RI H5231

Provides that commercial driver instruction would include industry-specific training on the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.

RI H5796

Adds an additional purpose to the standard provisions list that a zoning ordinance is required to address.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.