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HB 6271

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- STUDENT ACCESS TO INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS, "THE VERA RILEY ACT"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony DeSimone and 4 co-sponsors

Allows middle school students from non-sponsoring schools to join public school teams for sports they don’t offer, with eligibility checks and district approval.

05/06/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6271

Summary — HB 6271: "The Vera Riley Act" (Student Access to Interscholastic Athletics)

Bill number: HB 6271
Short title: The Vera Riley Act — Student Access to Interscholastic Athletics
Introduced: April 25, 2025 (House, Rhode Island) — also appears in provided materials with earlier/alternate introduction dates; see "Procedural status" below
Effective date: Upon passage (per bill text)
Current status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (05/06/2025)

Note: The provided bill materials include text from two different sources (one relating to guardianship law and a separate Rhode Island education bill). This summary focuses on the Rhode Island education measure titled “The Vera Riley Act,” which is the substantive education proposal described in the latter portion of the materials.

Purpose / Legislative intent

The bill aims to expand equitable access to public interscholastic athletic opportunities for middle‑school students (grades 6–8) who are enrolled in recognized non‑public, charter, or alternative schools that do not sponsor a particular sport. The Legislature finds that participation in school athletics provides educational and developmental benefits and that current governance structures can deny access to students from non‑sponsoring schools, disproportionately affecting small and non‑traditional school populations (including female students).

Key provisions

  • Permits any student enrolled in a recognized non‑public, charter, or alternative middle school (grades 6–8) that does not sponsor a particular interscholastic sport to participate in that sport at the public middle school in the school district where the student resides.
  • Conditions on participation:
    • The student must meet all applicable academic and conduct eligibility standards of the public school/team.
    • The student’s non‑sponsoring school must provide written verification that the sport is not offered.
    • The public school principal must approve the student’s participation for administrative coordination.
  • Prohibits denying access solely because the student attends a non‑sponsoring middle school, provided the above conditions are satisfied.
  • Clarifies that the law does not require public schools to create, expand, or alter athletic programs or team structures, but encourages reasonable access for eligible students.
  • Directs the state Department of Education, in consultation with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL), to promulgate rules and guidelines to implement the chapter and ensure nondiscriminatory access.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Middle‑school students (grades 6–8) enrolled in recognized non‑public, charter, or alternative schools that lack a given sport.
  • Public middle schools: Responsible for verifying eligibility, coordinating participation, and retaining discretion over administrative approvals; not compelled to expand teams.
  • Non‑public/charter/alternative schools: Required to verify in writing when they do not offer a sport.
  • RI Department of Education and RIIL: Charged with rulemaking and implementation guidance.

Implementation / Administrative aspects

  • Rulemaking: Department of Education, in consultation with RIIL, to issue implementing rules/guidelines to ensure timely and nondiscriminatory application.
  • Effective immediately upon passage, per bill text.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced in the House on April 25, 2025 (referred to House Education).
  • Scheduled for hearing/consideration 05/06/2025.
  • Committee action (05/06/2025): Committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
  • Because multiple dates and committee referrals appear in the provided record (including references to other committees and an earlier introduction date), consult the official Rhode Island General Assembly website or bill tracking system for the authoritative, up‑to‑date status and final text.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Would increase access to school sports for students in non‑sponsoring middle schools without forcing public schools to add teams.
  • May require administrative coordination (eligibility checks, approvals) and potential logistical considerations for roster sizes, transportation, or team capacity.
  • Rulemaking will shape details (deadlines, dispute resolution, any cost or participation limits).

For the authoritative text and latest status, refer to the Rhode Island General Assembly bill page for HB 6271 and any committee reports or departmental guidance.

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

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