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RI S2540
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/13/2026
Primary Sponsor
Elaine Morgan
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AI Summary
- Creates Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) allowing parents of eligible students to redirect state per-pupil education funding to private schools, tutoring, curriculum materials, educational technology, therapies, and other approved educational expenses
- Eligibility limited to Rhode Island residents who qualify for public school enrollment and whose household income is at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines at initial application; income threshold does not apply in subsequent years
- Children's Scholarship Fund of Rhode Island administers the program, including maintaining provider lists, processing payments, conducting audits, and may withhold up to 10% of funds annually for administrative costs
- Unused EFA funds roll over year-to-year until the student graduates, withdraws from the program, or the account is closed for fund misuse; remaining funds upon closure return to the student's local city/town education account
- Participating parents must agree to provide education in core subjects and demonstrate annual educational progress through standardized testing, state assessments, or portfolio review by a certified teacher
Legislative Description
Establishes a new program where the per pupil funding, calculated annually by RIDE, would be transferred into a newly created educational funding account run by the children's scholarship fund to pay for educational expenses.
Education
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Senate Finance
2/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Finance2/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available