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Bill > S0972
RI S0972
RI S0972Amends the composition of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation to students in grades kindergarten through 12.
summary
Introduced
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
In Committee
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This act would amend the composition of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation to students in grades kindergarten through 12. This act would change the total number of districts from five (5) to nine (9) districts, to promote greater efficiency, cost savings, and for many students, reducing the amount of time spent on a school bus. Students receiving transportation prior to December 30, 2025, under regions established in 1977, would be grandfathered into their old districts until July 1, 2029. This act would also provide that the categorical aid for excess costs associated with transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools would not be less than the higher of what was provided in fiscal years 2026 or 2027, and that any unused portions of this expense would be used to create a student transportation subsidy for students who are homeless, in foster care, or high special needs students. This act would take effect upon passage.
AI Summary
This bill amends Rhode Island's school bus district composition by expanding the number of transportation regions from five to nine, aiming to improve transportation efficiency and reduce student travel times. The new regions reorganize various towns and cities into more streamlined groupings, such as creating new regions for towns like Barrington, Bristol, and Warren, and another for Lincoln, Smithfield, and North Providence. The bill includes a grandfather clause that allows students currently receiving transportation under the 1977 regional boundaries to continue using their existing districts until July 1, 2029. Additionally, the bill modifies state funding for transportation, ensuring that categorical aid for transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools will not be less than the higher amount provided in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. Any unused funds from this transportation budget will be redirected to create a student transportation subsidy specifically for homeless students, students in foster care, and students with high special needs. The legislation is designed to optimize school transportation services while providing continuity and additional support for vulnerable student populations.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
Linda Ujifusa (D)*,
Sam Bell (D),
Jessica de la Cruz (R),
Alana DiMario (D),
Lou DiPalma (D),
Hanna Gallo (D),
Melissa Murray (D),
Ryan Pearson (D),
Bridget Valverde (D),
Sam Zurier (D),
Last Action
Senate Education Hearing (00:00:00 5/7/2025 ) (on 05/07/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://status.rilegislature.gov/ |
| BillText | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText25/SenateText25/S0972.pdf |
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