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HB 5745

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION -- STUDENT SUCCESS ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jose Batista and 9 co-sponsors

The act would allow certain Rhode Island students, including some noncitizens, to qualify for in-state tuition by meeting residency and school-attendance criteria and substantiatin

05/01/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5745

HB 5745 — Student Success Act (Rhode Island)

Overview

HB 5745, introduced in 2025 and currently referred to the House Finance committee, would modify Rhode Island’s tuition policy for certain postsecondary students. As of May 1, 2025, the committee recommended the measure be held for further study. The act would take effect upon passage.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a “Student Success Act” within the Council on Postsecondary Education to expand access to Rhode Island public higher education by adjusting residency-based tuition rules.
  • Specifically aims to ease nonresident status for eligible students and streamline in-state tuition eligibility for certain nonimmigrant foreign nationals who reside in Rhode Island.

Key Provisions

1) Nonresident tuition exemption eligibility (for eligible students)
- Applies to students who are not nonimmigrant aliens under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15).
- Eligibility criteria:
- Attended an approved Rhode Island high school for at least three consecutive years and for a minimum of six months total.
- Currently reside in Rhode Island.
- Graduated from an approved Rhode Island high school or earned a Rhode Island high school equivalency diploma.
- Upon matriculation, file an affidavit with the attending RI public university/college/community college stating:
- They meet the residency criteria (i) and (ii).
- If not a U.S. citizen and lacking lawful status, they have filed or will file for lawful immigration status as soon as eligible.
- The affidavit cannot require disclosure of immigration or citizenship status.

2) In-state tuition eligibility for qualifying nonimmigrant foreign nationals
- A nonimmigrant foreign national who has resided in Rhode Island for three years and six months and attended a RI high school for three years (at least six months) would be eligible to pay in-state tuition, equal to Rhode Island resident students.

3) Privacy and data handling
- Identifiable student information obtained under these provisions must remain confidential to the extent allowed by state/federal law (including FERPA).
- If such information is shared with an agency for purposes beyond implementing this act, the agency must promptly notify the student.

4) Implementation
- The Rhode Island Council for Postsecondary Education is authorized to prescribe rules and regulations necessary to implement the act.

Affected Parties

  • Rhode Island public universities, colleges, and community colleges (tuition policy and eligibility determinations).
  • Eligible Rhode Island high school graduates and high school equivalency diploma recipients.
  • Nonimmigrant foreign national students who meet residency and school-attendance criteria.
  • Records privacy protections under FERPA and state/federal law.

Timing and Procedural Details

  • Introduced: February 26, 2025; referred to House Finance.
  • Hearing/ consideration scheduled in late April 2025; status as of May 1, 2025: committee held for further study.
  • Take effect upon passage.

Potential Impact

  • Could broaden access to RI public higher education for eligible nonresident and noncitizen students by reducing or eliminating nonresident tuition barriers.
  • May influence enrollment patterns and state budget considerations due to shifts in tuition classifications.
  • Privacy safeguards aim to protect student data while enabling implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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