AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mia Ackerman and 9 co-sponsors

HB 7114 adds restorative-directed community service for up to 10 hours (tailored to the offense) for bullying based on religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Judiciary

Summary of HB 7114 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Main purpose

HB 7114 proposes a restorative-justice approach to address bullying in and around schools when the bullying is based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The bill allows, in addition to other penalties, the imposition of directed community service (DCS) for up to 10 hours to deter future bullying and to promote learning and insight.

Key provisions and changes

Establishes a new section, 16-21-44, within the Rhode Island General Laws on Health and Safety of Pupils.

Definition alignment:

Uses the same definition of “bullying” and “cyberbullying” as in § 16-21-33.

Eligibility for directed community service:

A student who commits bullying based on religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity may be required to perform up to 10 hours of directed community service, in addition to any other penalties.
Enforcement mechanisms: A juvenile hearing board, the school administration, or a combination of both may impose the DCS.
DCS imposed by schools or juvenile hearing boards is not considered a criminal penalty.

Nature and tailoring of DCS:

DCS must be tailored to the specific bullying action.
Example provided: a student who bullied a Jewish student could perform DCS at a Holocaust museum, illustrating tailoring to the offense.

Timeframe for completion:

All DCS must be completed within three months from the date of imposition.

Effective date:

The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

Students who commit bullying acts based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

School administrations and juvenile hearing boards responsible for disciplinary actions.

Institutions and organizations suitable for hosting or guiding DCS (e.g., Holocaust museums, and other appropriate community settings chosen to align with the nature of the bullying and the restorative goals).

Procedural and timeline considerations

Legislative path:

Introduced January 15, 2026; referred to House Education.
Subsequent actions in 2026 included consideration and scheduling for hearings, with a proposed substitute noted on May 15, 2026.

Implementation timeline:

If enacted, DCS must be completed within three months of imposition, which sets a relatively tight timeframe for restorative actions.

Distinction from criminal penalties:

DCS is explicitly stated to not be a criminal penalty when imposed by school administration or juvenile hearing boards.

Potential implications and considerations

Focus on restorative outcomes: The bill emphasizes learning, knowledge, and insight to deter future bullying rather than relying solely on punitive penalties.

Administrative discretion: The imposition of DCS can be made by schools and/or juvenile hearing boards, giving local authorities flexibility.

Scope and consistency: The bill defines bullying based on protected characteristics (religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity) and aligns with existing definitions, but practical implementation may require clear guidelines for determination of basis and suitability of DCS.

Accessibility of DCS options: The illustration (Holocaust museum, etc.) indicates a need for partnerships with community organizations; schools may need to develop a catalog of approved DCS activities.

Overall, HB 7114 adds a restorative-justice pathway to address targeted bullying, offering up to 10 hours of directed community service tailored to the offense, to be completed within three months, alongside existing penalties.