Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2789

Introduced
3/4/26  

Caption

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER HEALTHCARE PLAN (Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.)

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 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 S0023

SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES IN LEGISLATION/OVERSIGHT OF THE ACT ON CLIMATE (Creates a 5 member commission to provide recommendations for legislation changes and/or oversight for the Act on Climate, and would report back by May 1, 2026, and would expire on June 1, 2026.)

RI S0373

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY (Creates a 5 member commission to recommend legislative proposals for blockchain and cryptocurrency, and submit an interim progress report by January 5, 2026, and a final report by January 5, 2027, and would expire on February 5, 2027.)

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.)

RI H5810

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY (Creates a 7-member commission to for proposals encouraging a positive economic environment for blockchain and cryptocurrency, and would submit an interim report by January 5, 2026, a final report by January 5, 2027, and expires on February 5, 2027.)

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 H5056

HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMEDIES TO THE EROSION OF RHODE ISLAND BEACHES (This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the Legislative Commission to Study remedies for the Erosion of Rhode Island’s beaches from January 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025, and said commission would expire on April 30, 2025.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.