RI
Rhode Island Senate Bill S0072

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0072

Introduced
2/1/23  
Refer
2/1/23  
Report Pass
3/8/23  
Engrossed
3/16/23  

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

If approved, this constitutional amendment would signify a fundamental shift in Rhode Island's approach to education policy by establishing judicial enforcement mechanisms. It would empower individuals and entities who believe they have been harmed by noncompliance with educational provisions to bring legal action in Superior Court. The bill asserts that education is not merely a policy issue but a right, thus placing additional responsibility on the state and education agencies to fulfill this mandate from January 1, 2025, onwards.

Summary

S0072 is a joint resolution proposed in the Rhode Island General Assembly, aimed at amending the state constitution to guarantee the right to an adequate education for all residents. This bill seeks to replace current provisions in Article XII, Sections 1 and 2, with new language that emphasizes the duty of the general assembly and the state to ensure every child receives an equal, adequate, and meaningful education. The proposed amendment places strong emphasis on the promotion of public schools and libraries as vital resources for the community.

Contention

Debates surrounding S0072 may arise from the implications of judicially enforceable educational rights, as critics could argue this addition could lead to increased litigation against the state. There exists a significant dialogue about what constitutes an 'adequate' education, and stakeholders may have varying interpretations of equitable standards that should be guaranteed. Furthermore, the financial implications of implementing and ensuring such educational standards could lead to concerns regarding budget allocations and the adequacy of funding for public schools.

Latest RI S0072 Activity

View All Events: RI 2023 Regular Session S0072

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S2095

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 S0177

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 H5459

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 S2147

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 H7396

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 H7519

Joint Resolution To Approve And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Right To Adequate Education (adds Two Sections To The Constitution/guarantees Residents Adequate Education Permitting Learning At High Levels, Become Lifelong Learners, Productive Workers And Responsible Citizens/makes Rights Guaranteed Under The Constitution Judicially Enforceable.)

RI S2443

JOINT RESOLUTION JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- REMOVING PROVISIONS PROVIDING FOR ELECTION BY PLURALITY (This Joint Resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment which would remove from the Constitution the provision of Article IV, Section 2, that provide for election by plurality.)

RI S0327

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- GREEN AMENDMENT (Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values.)

RI H5732

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – GREEN AMENDMENT (Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.