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HB 8603

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Casimiro and 8 co-sponsors

Rhode Island HB 8603 expands driver education access and affordability, especially for foster/adoptive households, while strengthening safety topics in the curriculum.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 8603

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Bill: HB 8603 (2026)
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES
  • Introduced: May 29, 2026
  • Referred to: House Finance
  • Primary aim: Amend driver education/traffic safety requirements and provide a targeted tuition/fee relief for foster/adoptive care recipients.

Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize and reinforce driver education requirements administered through the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
  • Expand accessibility and affordability of driver education, particularly for foster and adoptive children/households.
  • Integrate curriculum components on alcohol/drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana-impaired driving.
  • Clarify administration and funding mechanisms for the driver education program.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Driver Education Curriculum and Instructors

    • CCRI must provide 33 hours of classroom instruction for applicants not older than 21, including 8 hours on the effects of alcohol and drugs.
    • Instructors must be eligible for a teacher’s certificate under the state Board of Education; emergency provisions allow qualified instructors to teach if certified instructors are unavailable.
    • Curriculum must include information on donor recognition (Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act) and donor cards.

  • Accessibility and Special Programs

    • Driver education available to eligible residents starting at age 15 years 10 months.
    • Separate instruction programs for special needs students (per IEPs).
    • CCRI must offer a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers, using adapted vehicles provided by the participant; requires physician certification of physical capability.

  • Financial Provisions and Fee Structure

    • Tuition/enrollment fees are required for eligible applicants, with waivers for foster caregiving individuals (foster/adoptive homes as defined in statute).
    • Fees deposited into a restricted account to cover driver education program costs at CCRI.
    • Fee waivers: eligible foster caregiving individuals qualify for driver education fee waivers.

  • Administrative and Regulatory Authority

    • Board of Governors for Higher Education authorized to establish admin regs to implement the section.
    • CCRI must establish sufficient tuition to cover program costs; positions funded by driver education fees may be exempt from certain state staffing caps.
    • Requires reporting on funded positions to legislative finance committees (historical reference indicates a past reporting requirement; the act retains mechanism in text).

  • Parental/Guardian Education

    • Optional, voluntary course for parents/guardians/designees on driver education content and graduated licensing for under-18s.
    • CCRI to develop content or approve equivalents (e.g., AAA course).
    • Course delivery includes in-person and online formats; costs are borne by program providers; no fee to parents/guardians.
    • If a qualified program ceases to exist for more than six months, the course requirement may be waived.

  • Safety Curriculum Enhancements

    • Dangers of distracted driving (e.g., cell phone use) and marijuana-impaired driving integrated into curriculum and testing.
    • Some curriculum elements require state board of education approval and may be effective on dates specified in the bill.

Who Is Affected

  • Prospective drivers (general RI residents) eligible under age thresholds.
  • Foster and adoptive homes and recipients of foster care payments, who receive fee waivers.
  • CCRI and higher education administration, instructors, and program staff.
  • Parents/guardians desiring to complete the optional instruction.

Timelines and Effective Date

  • Section 2 states the act takes effect upon passage.
  • Some curriculum elements reference dates (e.g., July 2023 effective provisions) tied to prior regulatory approvals.

Potential Impact

  • Increased accessibility to driver education through fee relief and expanded programs for special needs and physically handicapped drivers.
  • Strengthened emphasis on safety topics (distracted driving, drug-impaired driving) within driver education and licensing testing.
  • Administrative adjustments to funding and oversight of driver education programs through CCRI and the Board of Governors for Higher Education.

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

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