2026 -- H 7528

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LC004824

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Furtado, Cortvriend, and Potter

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-12 of the General Laws entitled "Rights and Duties of Teachers

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Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-12-12. Districts to consult list when hiring teachers who are new to the district.

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     (a) The following definitions apply in this section unless the context clearly requires

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otherwise.

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     (1) "Applicant" means an applicant for employment as a teacher in a certificated or

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classified position who is currently or was previously employed by a school district other than the

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district where the applicant is applying for employment.

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     (2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary

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education.

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     (3) "Employer" means a school district employer.

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     (b) Before hiring an applicant, a school district shall contact the department, and the

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department shall disclose whether or not the applicant's name appears on a list of those teachers

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who have been terminated for good and just cause, which list is maintained by the department

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pursuant to § 16-13-9.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS GENERALLY

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     This act would require that before hiring an applicant for employment as a teacher in a

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school district, the district would contact the department of elementary and secondary education,

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and the department would disclose whether or not the applicant's name appears on a list of those

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teachers who have been terminated for good and just cause, which list is maintained by the

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department pursuant to § 16-13-9.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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