2026 -- S 2169

========

LC003879

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators Rogers, Paolino, E Morgan, and de la Cruz

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Labor & Gaming

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-45.1 of the General Laws entitled "Career and Technical

Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-45.1-4. Participation by students in training activities at the Rhode Island fire

academy.

     (a) Effective July 1, 2026, students enrolled in an appropriately credentialed career and

technical education program in the areas of emergency medicine technician, firefighting, or public

safety (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “program”) including, but not limited to, students

under the age of eighteen (18) years, shall be eligible to participate in training activities at the Rhode

Island fire academy. The Rhode Island fire academy, in conjunction with the department of health,

the department of education, and the career and technical board of trustees, shall establish

guidelines and benchmarks a student shall meet within and, if appropriate, outside of the program,

in order to be eligible to participate in these training activities. Provided, as a prerequisite, a student

shall be deemed fit to participate in these training activities by both the student’s sending district

and the fire academy.

     (b)(1) Effective July 1, 2026, students who successfully complete an appropriately

credentialed career and technical education program as described in subsection (a) of this section

may take the exams and skills testing for the following certifications:

     (i) Hazardous materials awareness;

     (ii) Firefighter I; and

     (iii) Firefighter II.

     (2) The fire education and training coordinating board established pursuant to § 23-28.2-

23 is authorized to promulgate any rules or regulations the board deems necessary to ensure

students are properly trained and fit to undertake the exams and skills testing for the certifications

referenced in this subsection.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

========

LC003879

========

LC003879 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

***

     This act would provide that students enrolled in an appropriately credentialed career and

technical education program in the areas of emergency medicine technician, firefighting, or public

safety including, but not limited to, students under eighteen (18) years of age, could participate in

training activities at the fire academy. This act would also allow students who successfully

complete those secondary education programs to take certain exams and skills testing.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

========

LC003879

========

LC003879 - Page 3 of 3