Rhode Island 2024 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2147

Introduced
1/24/24  
Refer
1/24/24  
Report Pass
5/8/24  
Engrossed
5/16/24  

Caption

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE, PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE EDUCATION (Amends the constitution to guarantee Rhode Island residents with equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful and provides judicial enforcement of this provision.)

Impact

The proposed amendment will have significant implications for state laws regarding education. It formally establishes the right to adequate education as a constitutional guarantee, which could lead to increased legislative and budgetary commitments to public education. Moreover, it allows for judicial enforcement, enabling individuals or entities to bring action in court for noncompliance with the education provisions. This legal recourse aims to hold state agencies accountable for providing quality education, potentially reshaping the landscape of educational policy in Rhode Island.

Summary

S2147 is a joint resolution introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly that aims to amend the state constitution to ensure the right to an adequate, equitable, and meaningful education for all residents. If approved, this bill will replace existing provisions in Article XII of the Rhode Island Constitution, mandating that the General Assembly and the Department of Education be responsible for providing equal educational opportunities. This amendment reflects a commitment to educational equity and strives to ensure that all children in Rhode Island receive the quality education they deserve.

Contention

While proponents argue that amending the constitution to include explicit educational rights will enhance educational opportunities for all students, there may be debates surrounding the potential fiscal implications. Critics might express concerns about the financial burden this amendment could impose on the state budget and its implications for funding local schools. Additionally, questions may arise regarding how these changes will be implemented and the distribution of resources within the public education system, particularly in historically underserved areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0072

Joint Resolution To Approve, Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Right To An Adequate Education (amends The Constitution To Guarantee Rhode Island Residents With Equal Opportunity To Receive An Education That Is Adequate, Equitable And Meaningful And Provides Judicial Enforcement Of This Provision.)

RI H5771

Joint Resolution To Approve, Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Right To An Adequate Education (amends The Constitution To Guarantee Rhode Island Residents With Equal Opportunity To Receive An Education That Is Adequate, Equitable And Meaningful And Provides Judicial Enforcement Of This Provision.)

RI H5726

Joint Resolution Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution - Provisions Of State Constitution Declared To Be Presumptively Judicially Enforceable By Parties Allegedly Aggrieved By Violations Thereof (proposes To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment That The Provisions Of The State Constitution Are Presumptively Judicially Enforceable By Parties Allegedly Aggrieved By Violations Thereof.)

RI H5518

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Line Item Veto

RI S0608

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)

RI H5770

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)

RI H5236

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State (initiative And Referendum) (this Resolution Would Enable The Citizens Of Rhode Island To Propose Laws And Amendments To The Constitution Through An Initiative And Referendum Process, Except As To Revenue And Appropriations, Which Power Remains Vested In The General Assembly.)

RI H5310

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Jury Nullification As Proper Trial Defense Argument (this Joint Resolution Would Propose To The Voters A Constitutional Amendment Which Would Allow A Criminal Defendant To Argue Jury Nullification As A Defense.)

RI S0147

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State (governor And Lieutenant Governor To Appear Jointly On The Ballot) (requires Submission To Voters Election Constitutional Amendment Requiring Governor/lieutenant Governor To Run As A Team In Elections Commencing In 2026.)

RI S0341

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Referendum On Line Item Veto (this Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Would Provide The Governor With A Line Item Veto On The Budget And Other Bills For The Appropriation Of Money.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.