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Legislation, Rules and Regulations, and Policy Guidance
 
   
 

 

Why should I care about school health legislation and regulations?

statehouseLaws 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 are the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs?

Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs

The health services that are provided in schools are guided by the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (R-16-21-SCHO). These regulations apply to both public and non-public schools.  Required services include screenings, records review, acute care, chronic disease management, and health risk prevention.

 

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What school health Legislation passed this year in Rhode Island?

 

Health Education & Physical Education

  • RI 2008 Public Laws, Chapters 08-254 & 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

    Please see the September 25, 2008 memo from David V. Abbott, Deputy Commissioner of Education, about implementation of this law in Rhode Island Schools.

 

Health Services

  • RI 2008 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

    Please see the following resources:

    • August 20, 2008 memo from David V. Abbott, Deputy Commissioner of Education about implementation of the law in Rhode Island schools;
    • Glucagon Training Toolkit developed by the Department of Health, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to be used by the staff that will perform the training on glucagon administration;
    • Flyer for parents informing them about the law.
  • RI 2008 Public Laws, Chapters 08-086 & 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

    Please see the August 26, 2008 memo from David V. Abbott, Deputy Commissioner of Education, about implementation of this law in Rhode Island schools. Also see the Health Services page for other materials and information.

 

Social Environment

  • RI 2008 Public Laws, Chapters 08-102 & 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 2008 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 2008 Public Laws, Chapters 08-086 & 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 2008 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

 

 

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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

Health Services

Physical Environment

Social Environment / Mental Health / Counseling

Family & Community Involvement

Food Safety

Health Promotion for Staff

 

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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). 

According to a new state law (RI 2008 Public Laws, Chapters 08-254 & 08-463), by September 2012, school PE curricula must be aligned with the standards and performance indicators in the Framework.

 

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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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