Bills affecting Homeowner in Rhode Island (2026 session)

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.

RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Implements statewide parking standards.

Increases the state’s regionalization bonus to six percent (6.0%) of the state’s fiscal year share of foundation education aid. This bonus would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.

Establishes a new categorical funding category for civics education.

Ensures that transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts would be fully funded.

Requires all municipal zoning ordinances be amended to provide that any lot with access to public water/sewer services, not establish or enforce a minimum lot area that exceeds 5,000 sq.ft. for a residential building with between one and 4 dwelling units.

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Allows the town of Coventry to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.

Requires that affordable housing would be provided for with some developments.

Sets the zoning statewide for “family child care homes” to no fewer than twelve (12) children maximum.

Amends the current law on education to address unfunded mandates.

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.

Establishes a property tax deferral program for senior citizens, disabled persons or veterans.

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

Revises the calculation for the student success factor in the education-aid formula by adding an additional multiplier for twenty-five percent (25%) for each resident child who is identified as a multilingual learner.

Provides that a school district could elect and choose to not spend money on any mandate that is not fully funded through the state education aid formula.

Amends the determination of the state's share statute by amending the calculation for the poverty loss stabilization fund.