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SB 2846

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 5 co-sponsors

Raises RI police family tuition aid to dependents of active, salaried officers (including state police/corrections), removes disability definition, and limits to four years.

05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2846

Overview

SB 2846, introduced in the Rhode Island Senate during the 2026 session, would modify the state’s tuition relief program for children and spouses of police officers who are killed, disabled, or suffer a specified health condition in the line of duty. The bill changes the scope of who qualifies for tuition assistance and removes a key definition related to disability status.

Purpose and Intent

  • Streamline and clarify tuition support for dependents and spouses of police officers who die or are seriously disabled in the line of duty.
  • Align eligibility criteria with state funding to cover college tuition at Rhode Island public institutions (University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or other state-operated colleges/universities).

Key Provisions

  • Current benefit scope (as amended): The state would pay tuition charges from the general fund for the children of deceased or totally and permanently disabled police officers and/or the spouses of officers killed in the line of duty. Eligible institutions include the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and other state-operated colleges/universities.
  • Age eligibility for dependents: The child must have entered the institution between ages 16 and 21.
  • Duration of aid: The aid can cover the period equal to the normal time required to complete the degree program, but not more than four years.
  • Scope of “police officer”: Includes active police officers of city/town police departments, state police, and corrections officers within the Department of Corrections who are regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage.
  • Exclusions: Auxiliary and volunteer police officers are expressly excluded from eligibility.
  • Definition of disability: The bill would remove the current statutory definition of “totally and permanently disabled” from this tuition program. The explanatory text notes that the act would remove this definition from the general law governing these tuition benefits.

Affected Parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: Children and spouses of active police officers (state police, city/town police, and corrections officers) who are killed, die, or become totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty.
  • Institutions: Public colleges/universities in Rhode Island (as specified: URI, RIC, and other state-operated institutions) that would provide tuition support.
  • Police personnel categories: Excludes auxiliary and volunteer police officers; only regularly employed, salaried officers are covered.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.
  • Legislative path: Introduced March 4, 2026; referred to the Senate Finance Committee; scheduled for hearing/consideration in May 2026.
  • Budgetary note: Funds are drawn from the general fund of the State of Rhode Island to cover tuition costs.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Expands or clarifies who is eligible for state-funded college tuition assistance for families of police officers, potentially increasing access for dependents of those killed or disabled in the line of duty.
  • By removing the statutory definition of “totally and permanently disabled,” the bill may alter interpretations of eligibility for disability status, potentially broadening or changing how disability is determined within this program (subject to implementation and any related regulations).
  • Excludes volunteers and auxiliary officers, maintaining a focus on regularly employed, compensated officers.
  • Fiscal impact would depend on the number of eligible dependents and tuition costs at state public institutions.

Summary

SB 2846 proposes to adjust Rhode Island’s police officer tuition relief by refining eligibility (dependents of active, salaried police, state police, and corrections officers) and removing the formal definition of “totally and permanently disabled” from the governing statute. The bill maintains tuition coverage for eligible students at Rhode Island public higher education institutions for up to four years or the time to degree completion, whichever is shorter, with certain age eligibility for dependents and exclusions for volunteer/auxiliary officers. It is scheduled for committee consideration with an effective date upon passage.

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

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