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5/26/2026
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Media Advisory: Senate Education Committee to vote on Education Board members, bills on school safety and pre-K
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate Education Committee meets this afternoon to consider the reappointment of four members of the state Board of Education, and to vote on numerous bills on prekindergarten expansion, school safety and more.
The committee meets today, Tuesday, May 26, at 3:15 p.m. in the Senate Lounge on the second floor of the State House. It is scheduled to consider whether the Senate should confirm the appointments of Arthur P. Petrosinelli, Karen M. Hazared, Sandra Cano and Alan J. Tenreiro to the Board of Education.
The committee has also scheduled votes on numerous bills, including:
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2026-S 2209 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), would strengthen school security measures, including the establishment of the statewide School Emergency Response Committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures, would require an annual school safety assessment by all school districts, and would require each municipality to establish a rapid response/SWAT team. The committee will consider this amendment to the bill.
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2026-S 2635 — Sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), this bill would limit transaction fees for payment of school meals and require at least one no-fee payment method be available.
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2026-S 3147 — This bill sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) would establish guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on Cox channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) channel 15; and Verizon channel 34. Senate committee hearings may also air on Channel 75 for Cox Subscribers. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
Any written testimony must be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov prior to 3 p.m. today in order for it to be provided to the members of the committee at the hearing and to be included in the meeting records. Testimony will become a public record.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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