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HB 7416

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Megan Cotter and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island public colleges must automatically admit state residents with Eagle Scout or Gold Award (meeting basic apps), with program prerequisites and non-discrimination rules.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 7416

Bill Overview

  • Bill: HB 7416 (Rhode Island, 2026)
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS
  • Purpose: Create automatic or “guaranteed” admission to Rhode Island public colleges for state residents who have earned either the Eagle Scout rank or the Girl Scouts Gold Award, provided they meet the institutions’ basic application requirements (excluding competitive or selective criteria).

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Recognizes Eagle Scout and Gold Award achievements as evidence of leadership, service, and personal development.
  • Seeks to strengthen connections between youth leadership awards and Rhode Island public higher education by offering guaranteed admission.
  • Aims to encourage public service and civic engagement among Rhode Island youth.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Automatic Admission (16-117-1):
    • Beginning Fall 2026 and for all future terms, public higher education institutions in Rhode Island (including URI, RIC, CCRI) must grant automatic admission to applicants who:
    • Are Rhode Island residents at the time of application, and
    • Have earned either:
      • Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America) or
      • Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)
    • Meet all minimum application submission requirements set by the institution (excluding competitive academic thresholds or selective admission criteria).
  • Verification (16-117-1(b)):
    • Applicants must provide official documentation of their Eagle Scout rank or Gold Award to the admissions office.
  • Program-Specific Restrictions (16-117-1(c)):
    • Institutions are not required to admit applicants into specialized, capacity-limited, or accreditation-restricted programs (e.g., nursing, engineering, pharmacy, or audition-based programs) unless the applicant meets all program prerequisites.
    • Admitted students may declare any major for which they meet prerequisites.
  • Non-Discrimination (16-117-1(d)):
    • Admissions under this act must be offered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
  • Rulemaking Authority (16-117-2):
    • The Council on Postsecondary Education and public institutions may adopt rules to implement the act, including documentation, deadlines, and notification procedures.
  • Construction (16-117-3):
    • The act does not guarantee financial aid, tuition waivers, scholarships, residency changes for in-state tuition, nor prohibit institutions from adopting additional access-expanding policies.

Affected Entities and Beneficiaries

  • Beneficiaries:
    • Rhode Island residents who have earned the Eagle Scout rank or the Gold Award and meet basic application requirements.
  • Institutions Covered:
    • All public institutions of higher education in Rhode Island, specifically URI, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island.
  • Admissions Offices:
    • Responsible for verifying documentation and processing automatic admissions.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective Date:
    • Takes effect upon passage.
    • Automatic admission for Fall 2026 term onward.
  • Verification and Documentation:
    • Applicants must submit official documentation of Eagle Scout or Gold Award to the admissions office.
  • Administrative Implementation:
    • Requires rulemaking by the Council on Postsecondary Education and each public institution to establish procedures, deadlines, and notification processes.

Practical Implications

  • Increased access: Creates a pathway to higher education for recognized youth leaders without regard to typical admissions thresholds.
  • Program limits: Does not guarantee admission to all programs; capacity and program prerequisites still apply.
  • Financial considerations: Does not guarantee financial aid or tuition waivers; separate financial aid remains governed by existing policies.
  • Diversity and inclusion: Explicit non-discrimination language supports equitable access.

Summary

HB 7416 proposes a targeted, eligibility-based admissions guarantee for state residents who have earned the Eagle Scout rank or Girl Scouts Gold Award, effective for Fall 2026. It requires documentation, respects program-specific prerequisites, and mandates non-discriminatory implementation, while preserving institutional control over admissions criteria and financial aid considerations.

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

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