2026 -- H 7974

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LC005673

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER

HEALTHCARE PLAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Cruz, Casimiro, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Labor

     WHEREAS, Public school teachers are essential to the educational, economic, and civil

wellbeing of the State of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a critical component of recruiting,

retaining, and supporting a stable and effective workforce; and

     WHEREAS, Public school teacher health insurance coverage in Rhode Island is currently

negotiated and administered on a district-by-district basis, resulting in significant disparities in

coverage, cost-sharing, and access to care across municipalities; and

     WHEREAS, A statewide healthcare plan for public school teachers in Rhode Island may

offer opportunities to leverage economies of scale, standardize baseline benefits, promote equity

among educators regardless of district, and provide greater predictability in education and

municipal budgeting; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of eleven (11) members: two (2) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House

of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two (2) of whom shall be

members of the Rhode Island Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, or designee; one

of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or

designee; one of whom shall be a municipal official, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island School Superintendents

Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, or

designee; and two (2) of whom shall be representatives of labor unions representing public school

teachers, one of whom to be appointed by the Executive Director of the National Education

Association of Rhode Island, and one of whom to be appointed by the President of the Rhode

Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the creation of a statewide teacher

healthcare plan including, but not limited to:

     ● The current structure of public school teacher health insurance coverage in Rhode

Island, including costs, benefits, and administrative arrangements across school districts;

     ● A review of best practices and models from other states;

     ● Potential cost savings and efficiencies associated with a statewide plan, including

impacts on state and municipal budgets;

     ● The effects of a statewide plan on healthcare access, quality, and affordability;

     ● Implications for collective bargaining rights and existing collective bargaining

agreements;

     ● The effect of healthcare premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and quality of coverage on

workforce recruitment and retention;

     ● The financial and operational implications for municipalities; and

     ● An evaluation of any statutory or constitutional changes that may be required to

implement a statewide teacher healthcare plan.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and organize and shall select

a chairperson and vice-chairperson, one of whom shall be a member of the House and one of

whom shall be a member of the Senate.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services or

reimbursement for expenses.

     All departments and agencies of the state, municipalities, school districts, and other

relevant stakeholders shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to

said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to

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facilitate the purpose of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters, staff and clerical support for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its progress quarterly to the General

Assembly beginning on September 1, 2026, and shall submit a final report with findings and

recommendations to the General Assembly on or before September 1, 2027, and said commission

shall expire on December 31, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER

HEALTHCARE PLAN

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     This resolution would create an eleven (11) member special legislative commission to

study and provide recommendations for the creation of a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and

who would report its progress quarterly to the General Assembly beginning on September 1,

2026, and would submit a final report to the General Assembly on or before September 1, 2027,

and would expire on December 31, 2027.

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