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HB 7731

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephen Casey and 9 co-sponsors

The bill requires all K-12 districts to implement formal safety plans, assessments, and rapid-response armed security capabilities funded at $1 million annually.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7731

Overview

HB 7731 (Rhode Island, 2026) is an education-focused bill titled AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS. Its core aim is to strengthen school safety and security across K-12, create formal structures for safety planning and rapid response, and provide dedicated funding for armed security and rapid response capabilities. The act would take effect upon passage.

Main purpose and intent

  • Elevate and standardize school safety within every town, city, and regional school district.
  • Establish formal bodies and plans to assess, plan, and implement safety and crisis response measures.
  • Create dedicated funding streams to support armed security coverage and rapid response capabilities in schools.

Key provisions and changes

  1. School Safety Assessments

    • Each school district must conduct a comprehensive school safety assessment in collaboration with local police, fire, and a school safety team.
    • Assessments required within 30 days of enactment and every three years thereafter (due by September 1 each cycle; final reporting by December 31 to leadership).
    • All hazards site safety survey reports must be reviewed by the Rhode Island school safety committee.

  2. Rhode Island School Safety Committee

    • A 12-13 member committee (chair: RI State Police Superintendent or designee) to train personnel, review assessments, and assist districts.
    • Members include representatives from police associations, school associations, emergency management, safety and maintenance, and full-time classroom teachers from NEARI and RIFTHP.

  3. School Safety Plans

    • Each district must develop and adopt a comprehensive school safety plan in executive session.
    • Plans are created by a school safety team that includes school officials, student/teacher/parent representatives, and local emergency personnel.
    • Plans must align with a model safety plan produced by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  4. School Crisis Response Team

    • Establish a crisis response team focused on psychological support and mental health resources post-violence incidents.

  5. Rhode Island School Emergency Response Committee

    • A new eight-member committee (chair: RI State Police Superintendent or designee) to develop security measures for legislation and five-year security plans.
    • Requires reporting on armed security measures and costs to the General Assembly each January.
    • Tasks include planning access control, ballistic protection, surveillance, and armed police coverage.
    • The committee will coordinate with state and local police on armed security deployment.
    • Meetings and documents related to this committee are exempt from open meetings and public records laws.

  6. Rapid Response Team / SWAT Teams

    • Each city/town police department must establish a rapid response team or SWAT unit (minimum six officers).
    • Local departments must conduct emergency response drills at least three times per year.
    • The state budget must include $500,000 annually for armed security coverage equipment, with additional costs shared between the state police and local departments.

  7. Funding and Budget

    • Recurring annual funding of $500,000 for armed security coverage.
    • Recurring annual funding of $500,000 for rapid response team weapons/equipment and training.

Who/what is affected

  • All public K-12 school districts (towns, cities, regional school departments) in Rhode Island.
  • State and local law enforcement, emergency management agencies, and school safety personnel.
  • Teachers and school staff through the safety training and crisis response provisions.
  • Rhode Island state agencies: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Rhode Island State Police, Emergency Management Agency, Fire Marshal, and related associations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Assessments required within 30 days of enactment and every three years thereafter; progress reported by December 31 of each year.
  • School safety plans adopted in executive session; aligned with DES model plan.
  • The emergency response committee reports annually by January 31 on security measures needing legislation and on costs for armed security.
  • Rapid response/SWAT teams must be stood up and maintained; drills required quarterly.
  • New funding streams established for ongoing security operations and equipment.

Note: The bill includes exemptions from Open Meetings and Public Records laws for many safety-related activities and documents.

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

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