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SB 2439

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 7 co-sponsors

Rhode Island tightens pesticide rules in schools, promotes IPM, requires notices and reporting, bans certain products, and forms a PFAS study for school athletic fields.

04/29/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2439

Summary of SB 2439 (Rhode Island, 2026) — AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — PESTICIDE CONTROL

This bill would tighten restrictions on pesticide and rodenticide use in schools and early childhood settings, promote integrated pest management (IPM), establish reporting and notification requirements, and create a PFAS-focused safety task force related to school athletic fields. It also adds a reporting obligation for schools and creates related regulatory and educational measures.

1) Primary Purpose and Intent

  • To reduce exposure of students, staff, and children to pesticides and rodenticides in schools and child care environments.
  • To promote safer pest management practices via IPM.
  • To study and address potential health risks from PFAS in artificial athletic fields used by schools.
  • To improve transparency and communication to parents, guardians, and school staff about pesticide and rodenticide activities.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Pesticide and Rodenticide Use in Schools and Child Care Centers

  • The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Department of Health (DoH) must jointly develop regulations to:
    • Restrict hazardous pesticides and rodenticides in schools, pre-schools, and child care centers.
    • Prohibit glyphosate-containing products in these settings.
    • Promote IPM as defined in state law.
    • Cover emergency applications to address immediate health threats, with reporting requirements.
    • Implement regulations by January 1, 2027.

B. Applicator Requirements and Timing

  • Effective dates over time:

    • On/after July 1, 2001: Only licensed/certified commercial applicators may apply pesticides in schools (no change through 2027 for pesticides).
    • On/after January 1, 2027: Only licensed/certified applicators may apply rodenticides in schools (in buildings or grounds).
    • On/after July 1, 2027: No lawn care pesticides or rodenticides may be applied on school grounds of public/private preschools or K-12 schools (with limited exceptions for IPM plans and emergency applications).
    • Exemption for emergencies when immediate health threats exist, not involving restricted/state-labeled materials.

  • Prescribed exceptions include emergency applications and applications on playing fields/playgrounds under IPM plans approved by DEM and DoH.

C. Notification, Records, and Public Notice

  • Annual written statements to staff and parents/guardians at the start of each school year describing school pesticide policies and prior-year applications (beginning 2027 for rodenticides; 2002 for pesticides).
  • Prior notice registries for parents/guardians who want advance notice of pesticide/rodenticide applications; notices must be sent at least 24 hours before application.
  • Notice content must include product name/active ingredient, EPA registration number, target pest, exact application location, date, and contact person.
  • Records of pesticide/rodenticide applications must be kept at the school for five years and shared with the Department of Education.

D. Reporting Mandates

  • Beginning Jan 1, 2027, schools must submit annual pesticide/rodenticide application reports to the Department of Education, including:
    • Description of products used, dates, and times of applications.
    • Operator name and compliance status with licensing requirements.
    • Any emergency applications in the prior year.
    • Copies of notices previously issued to parents/guardians.

E. PFAS in Artificial Athletic Fields

  • A new 16-21-43 section requires a joint DEM-DoH task force to study PFAS presence and health risks on artificial school athletic fields.
  • Task force to report findings by January 1, 2029, to the governor, speaker, and president of the senate.

F. Administrative/Effective Date

  • Effective upon passage.

3) Who Would Be Affected

  • Schools (public and private) and preschool/child care centers in Rhode Island.
  • Local school districts, school boards, superintendents, and school administrators.
  • Licensed/certified commercial pesticide applicators.
  • DoH and DEM as primary regulatory bodies.
  • Parents, guardians, and school staff (through notices and registries).
  • Private and public entities operating artificial athletic fields used by schools.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Regulatory development due: No later than January 1, 2027.
  • Major phased restrictions begin:
    • July 1, 2027: Prohibition on lawn care pesticide/rodenticide applications on most school grounds (with IPM compliance).
    • January 1, 2027 (and ongoing): Expanded notice and reporting requirements, including rodenticide-specific provisions.
  • PFAS task force formation and reporting:
    • Task force established by July 1, 2027; findings due January 1, 2029.
  • Storage and disposal provisions:
    • By July 1, 2027, require secure storage of unused/unwanted pesticides and containers prior to disposal.
  • Outcome tracking:
    • Beginning in 2027, schools must provide notices to the Department of Education and maintain records for compliance verification.

Overall, SB 2439 moves Rhode Island toward stricter regulation of pesticides and rodenticides in school settings, integrates pest management strategies, enhances transparency for families, and investigates PFAS-related risks on school athletic surfaces.

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

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