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Legislation, Rules and Regulations, and Policy Guidance |
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Why should I care about school health legislation and regulations?
 Laws and regulations affect the health and safety of students and school personnel, learning environments, and other aspects of the school community. There are numerous state and federal laws that determine policies, practices, protocols, funding, and other systemic approaches to Rhode Island’s public and non-public schools. Regulations have the power of law through the statutory authority granted under specific statutes. Regulations clarify the intent of a law and define implementation practices.
The purpose of this webpage is to support efforts by communities, districts, schools, families, and students to participate in the process of determining the laws and regulations that can help ensure that all public and non-public schools in Rhode Island are safe, healthy and nurturing places for students to learn.
This webpage will provide updated information about legislation and regulations, including:
- Links and information about proposed laws that relate to coordinated school health at the state and/or federal level;
- Dates and times of legislative hearings, as they are scheduled;
- Information about school community advocacy and public education efforts related to proposed legislation;
- Links to frequently requested sets of regulations or statutes that effect schools and students;
- Updates on regulatory changes based on statutory changes, alignment with best practices, or emerging issues;
- Proposed regulations for review; and
- Public hearing and/or community review dates for regulatory issues.
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What school health Legislation passed this year in Rhode Island?
Health Education & Physical Education
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-254 / Chapter 08-463
(H7280 Sub A / S2621 Sub A)
Relating to Education - Curriculum
Introduced by Representatives McNamara, Malik, Naughton, Silva, and Lewiss
Introduced by Senators Doyle, Tassoni, McBurney, and Connors
"Commencing September 1, 2012, this act requires that the physical education and health curricula in schools be based on standards set by the Rhode Island Physical Education Framework and the Rhode Island Health Education Framework."
- This act took effect
07/05/2008 without the Governor's signature
Health Services
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-243
(H7014 Sub A as amended)
Relating to Education - Health and Safety of Pupils
Introduced by Representatives Gemma, Schadone, Singleton, Picard, Rice
"This act requires school departments to develop policies and procedures for administering injections to diabetic students in the event of an emergency. The policy includes parent authorization and the training of school personnel.
- This act took effect 07/05/2008 without the Governor's signature
Social Environment
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-102 / Chapter 08-150
(S2012 Sub B / H7213 Sub B as amended)
Relating to Education - Health and Safety of Pupils
Introduced by Senators Tassoni, Felag, McBurney, and Doyle
Introduced by Representatives McNamara, Lewiss, Smith, and Naughton
"This act expands the definition of student discipline codes to include electronic communications."
- This act took effect 06/26/2008 when signed by Governor
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-220
(H7569 Sub A)
Relating to Education - Health and Safety of Pupils
Introduced by Representatives Giannini, Slater, Almeida, Gallison, and Lima
"This act allows training programs in school districts or public schools to teach pupils conflict resolution and mediation for resolving conflicts among pupils, and to develop a process for discussing harassment, intimidation or bullying with techniques for preventing and resolving conflicts without violence."
- This act took effect
07/05/2008 without the Governor's signature
Physical Environment
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-086 / Chapter 08-090
(H7463 Sub A / S2130 Sub A)
Relating to Education - Health and Safety of Pupils
Notice of peanut/tree nut allergies - posting
Introduced by Senators Gallo, Pichardo, P Fogarty, and Issa
"This act directs the governing bodies of each school to develop a policy designed to provide a safe environment for students with peanut/tree nut allergies. This act also repeals certain current provisions requiring the posting of notices in schools regarding the presence of children with such food allergies."
- This act took effect 06/26/2008 without the Governor's signature
- RI Public Laws, Chapter 08-118
(S2909 Sub A as amended)
Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles - School Bus Safety Enforcement
School Bus Safety Enforcement Act
Introduced by Senator Moura
"This act authorizes the state and school departments to install live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring systems. "
- This act took effect 07/01/2008 without the Governor's signature
What school health Legislation passed last year in Rhode Island?
- Farm to school Income Tax Credit
Rhode Island Public Law Chapter 07-073-43 (the State budget)
- Rhode Island Healthy Weight Pilot Program Established
Rhode Island Public Law Chapter 07-224
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What school health Regulatory activities are taking place in Rhode Island?
The Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (R-16-21-SCHO) is undergoing revisions to incorporate the above new legislation.
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What are current Rhode Island School Health Regulations and Statutes?
All Areas
Coordinated School Health Programs
Nutrition / Nutrition Services
Physical Activity / Physical Education
Tobacco
HIV/AIDS and Sexuality
Health Education
- See Sections 3, 4 and 5 of Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs
- Health Education
- AIDS Education
- Family Life Education
- Physiology and Hygiene
- Substance Abuse Education
- Suicide Education
- CPR Training
- Teen Dating Violence Education
- Certification
- Exemption by Parents
- Surveys
- District Health & Wellness Subcommittees
Health Services
- School Nurse Teachers
- School Based Health Centers
- Health Screenings
- Lead Screening Requirement
- Oral Health
- Allergies
- Immunization and Testing
- HIV Testing
- Epidemics
- Child Opportunity Zones (COZs)
Physical Environment
Social Environment / Mental Health / Counseling
- Lockdown Drills
- Hazing
- School Safety Plans
- Substance Abuse
- Student Assistance Services
- Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
- Certification
- Personalized Learning Environment
Family & Community Involvement
- Child Opportunity Zones (COZs)
Food Safety
- Food Safety Inspections and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point prinicples
- Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies
Health Promotion for Staff
- District Health & Wellness Subcommittees
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What Policy Guidance is available for Rhode Island schools?
In order to help implement state legislation and school health rules and regulations, the following model policies and/or policy guidance documents have been developed, by the Rhode Island Department of Education in partnership with the Department of Health or other partners.
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What are the Rhode Island health education and physical education standards?
Health Literacy for All: The Rhode Island Health Education Framework outlines the 7 RI Health Education Standards (i.e. what students are expected to know and be able to do, as a result of health education instruction). The related document, Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes provides performance descriptions for each of the standards, broken out by seven health content areas (Personal Health, Mental and Emotional Health, Injury Prevention, Nutrition, Sexuality and Family Life, Disease Prevention and Control, and Substance Use and Abuse Prevention). Health education curricula are required to be aligned with this Framework, according to the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
The Rhode Island Physical Education Framework outlines the RI Physical Education Standards (i.e. what students are expected to know and be able to do, as a result of physical education instruction). Physical education curricula should be aligned with this Framework, which has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Board of Regents.
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Whom Do I Contact for More Information?
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Ed.D.
Program Manager, Initiative for Healthy Youth
Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-5922
Rosemary.Reilly-Chammat@health.ri.gov
Jackie Ascrizzi
School Health Policy and Program Specialist
Rhode Island Department of Education
401-222-8953
Jackie.Ascrizzi@ride.ri.gov
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