2026 -- S 2524

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LC004852

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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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS -- STUDENT AND

TEACHER CLASSROOM SAFETY

     Introduced By: Senators Thompson, LaMountain, Bissaillon, Urso, and Patalano

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21-44. Student and teacher classroom safety.

     (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

     (1) “Disruptive behavior” means behavior that materially and substantially interferes with

a teacher’s ability to supervise, instruct, or maintain order in the classroom, or that impedes other

students’ ability to engage in focused, rigorous classroom learning.

     (2) “Chronically disruptive student” means a student who engages in conduct that is so

unruly, abusive, or disruptive that it severely impairs the classroom learning environment or

threatens the educational opportunity of other students, and who has engaged in such disruptive

behavior on three (3) or more documented occasions during a school term.

     (3) “Removal” means the transfer of a student from the classroom by a teacher or other

instructional staff member, due to behavior that meets the criteria in subsection (b) of this section,

to the principal’s office or an alternative instructional setting where the student continues to receive

educational services and appropriate behavioral support, consistent with this section.

     (4) “Return-to-classroom plan” means a written plan developed by the school principal or

designee, with input from the relevant classroom teacher and other appropriate school personnel,

to support the student’s safe and productive return to the classroom environment.

     (5) “Immediate threat” means behavior that poses an imminent danger to the safety of

students or staff within the classroom.

     (b) Authority to remove a student from the classroom.

     (1) A teacher may initiate the removal of a student from the classroom if the student:

     (i) Is chronically disruptive despite documented interventions; or

     (ii) Commits an act that poses an immediate threat to the physical safety of others in the

classroom.

     (2) Teachers shall not remove students for minor, non-disruptive behavior, such as

tardiness or minor classroom rule violations. Student removals shall be consistent with the school

district’s student disciple code, as required by § 16-21-21.

     (3) The teacher shall document the removal using the school district’s existing procedures

or reporting platform and shall notify the principal or designee by the end of the school day.

     (c) Administrative response.

     (1) The principal or designee shall review the incident within one school day and notify

the student’s parent or guardian within twenty-four (24) hours.

     (2) The student shall not return to the classroom from which the student was removed until:

     (i) A return-to-classroom plan is developed by the principal or designee addressing

behavior expectations and support strategies; and

     (ii) The classroom teacher is consulted.

     (3) If the teacher objects to the student’s return to classroom plan, the principal shall

convene a review committee consisting of:

     (i) One school administrator;

     (ii) One certified teacher not involved in the incident; and

     (iii) One counselor, behavior specialist, or school psychologist.

     (4) The committee shall determine whether the student shall return to the classroom or be

placed in an alternative instructional setting and shall document the committee's findings.

     (d) Student protections.

     (1) If the removal results in suspension from school, the provisions of § 16-2-17 shall apply.

     (2) Students with disabilities shall be afforded all rights and protections required under the

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., and § 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 and all applicable state special education regulations.

     (e) School district responsibilities.

     (1) Each school district shall adopt policies consistent with this section no later than

October 1, 2026.

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     (2) Each district shall report annually to the department of elementary and secondary

education (RIDE):

     (i) The number of classroom removals to the principal’s office, alternative instructional

placements, return-to-classroom plans; and

     (ii) Data disaggregated by race, gender, grade level, and disability status.

     (f) Protections for educators and staff.

     (1) A teacher or school employee acting in good faith and in accordance with this section

shall not be subject to disciplinary action or retaliation.

     (2) Nothing herein shall supersede any right conferred under an applicable collective

bargaining agreement.

     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 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS -- STUDENT AND

TEACHER CLASSROOM SAFETY

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     This act would establish provisions for student and teacher classroom safety, and provides

for the authority to remove students from classrooms and the administrative response to the same.

This act would provide for student and educator protections from said removals and the school

district’s responsibilities to the safety of the student.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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