[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6617667,"mediaKeyId","2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb","parentId",2839078,"title","Committee hears concerns that proposed teacher 'bill of rights' could enable outing of LGBTQ students","audioSeconds",319,"startMs",564000,"endMs",883000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb&start=564&end=883","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb/thumbnail_564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617667/Rhode-Island/Committee-hears-concerns-that-proposed-teacher-bill-of-rights-could-enable-outing-of-LGBTQ-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617667-7e5668735e2fcd3c4497807807b356d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947072&Signature=dkOk5gWJBl4-KnM2mwzoiSCga7XtUVq38l5EmUbz89zri~L1O0Cj-4Qzkm0c4MnRtPqPpuGfjIzalynOojwcV53vUbCRBH~pzVVYkeNRrBUss8-46M7B1kvJOopSJ1QQ6JRTNonfUi8Gj~NIrCenPjV5AsbP~n-UTdUbuLigsa9cyb3PhbE~tza5uhfFW2H3tuZUF7DheApm70G2vyvGn52g8K6tm~D2w2aqKxjQ2KACBh~GQC-mI~3Eei9z0F4oZUtRsh~8E4HDtnS95W~B5pzec72H2sFxJKQyJdamvgUzF3yAICrmKx9e-0lTLpYL~2I93pQdkhBqACqQF~DwIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","The House Committee on Education heard testimony April 1 on House Bill 5604, a measure that would broaden the statutory definition of teacher and create an enumerated set of rights for classroom personnel.

Opponents, including faculty and students from Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work and youth advocacy groups, warned that broad language in the bill could authorize school staff to express personal opinions without discipline and to disclose information about a student’s educational experience, health or safety to parents. They said those provisions could expose LGBTQ students to harm if staff members “out” a student to their family.

Dr. Wendy Becker, identified in the hearing as a faculty member at Rhode Island College School of Social Work and a former school social worker, said the bill’s language that would allow “full freedom in expressing personal opinions on all matters relevant to course content” could permit speech such as “I personally believe gay people are an abomination,” and that such statements from educators or health providers could be perceived as authoritative and harmful in school settings. Becker also said a provision allowing staff to share information about a student with parents could “out” LGBTQ students and put them at risk of rejection, abuse or housing insecurity.

Crystal Brunell, a Rhode Island College social work student who identified herself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, testified that teachers disclosing a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to parents could place that student in immediate danger. Committee members noted written testimony from the American Civil Liberties Union raising concerns that the bill’s broad language could permit teaching creationism as fact and could be used to share biased or discriminatory views in classrooms.

Committee members asked questions and acknowledged the multiple ways the bill’s broad protections might conflict with district policies and state nondiscrimination obligations. No committee vote on the policy merits was taken; the committee recorded a procedural motion to hold House Bills 5603, 5604 and 5839 for further study, which passed by recorded voice responses.

Testifiers urged the committee to narrow the bill’s language so that educators retain professional responsibilities and that protections for students—especially those whose safety depends on confidentiality—are preserved. The committee directed staff to compile testimony and consider revisions before future action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Education: 4-1-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Opponents told the Rhode Island House Committee on Education on April 1 that House Bill 5604’s broad protections for teachers and school professionals could permit staff to express personal opinions in class and disclose student information to parents, potentially endangering LGBTQ students.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617672,"Rhode Island committee hears bill to allow multi‑year emergency teaching certificates",281,167000,448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb&start=167&end=448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6617672/Rhode-Island/Rhode-Island-committee-hears-bill-to-allow-multiyear-emergency-teaching-certificates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617672-1de12a92fa15c19e1e20978dbe8aed62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947072&Signature=PKIKLGulxG2zf279US60N9FioBsx9n3IHoQ7WE1u-LJfoEmOCIyCSV6bgg0XdGPbH99nCmVdcW8lB4vgbsTR3GmXRqVLHx37Eo8nuCLSYxtP7Ldt9mqc2LVN~-bQFDz2Tco6fC1uA--oAxeZgMcNV1FyD9nR4QoOWhaWPqoIqq621mCJk3MllbRXkVghVyiqWK2~yORSNqPtkVWeBkCkYSh5KcX9V8QOo-MtzOD8UTYttLiAIFOGqz4gP11MbOObVgaq0FalblWswfsEjJdwoW-ZsBhmPAaJyWmBLyvn9F~oz-Wpnf70U7iGPFRdIww1kNNg5JGaRUqWYFyOJKUQXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rhode Island House Committee on Education heard testimony April 1 on House Bill 5603, which would allow school districts to request emergency preliminary teaching certificates that can be renewed annually for a total of up to five years.

The bill, introduced for discussion by the committee chair, would require a school district to request an emergency certification and to show that it advertised the vacancy and was unable to find a certified teacher. The bill removes a mandatory initial testing requirement for emergency certificate holders and allows districts to renew the emergency certificate year by year if the district determines the teacher is performing satisfactorily.

Witnesses included a person identified as Andy Andrade (listed in the hearing as a witness) and Eric Hasselhorst, who testified on behalf of the National Education Association, Rhode Island. Hasselhorst said the state is experiencing a teacher shortage and described this bill as a tool to address staffing gaps while broader solutions are pursued. Andrade summarized how the process would work: district request, evidence of recruitment, no test required at the initial emergency appointment, and annual renewals tied to shown progress toward full certification.

Committee members asked for clarifications. A member asked how long a person could remain on an emergency certificate; witnesses reiterated that districts must demonstrate continued progress toward certification and expressed uncertainty that five years would commonly be needed if candidates are advancing toward certification. Another member confirmed the bill would cover career and technical education certifications as well.

The committee recorded a procedural motion to hold the bill for further study so staff could review written and verbal testimony and organize the hearing record. That motion was seconded and carried by voice vote and recorded in the affirmative. No final action on the bill was taken at the hearing.

The bill’s text, as discussed in the hearing, specifies: (1) districts must request emergency certification; (2) districts must show active recruitment and inability to hire a certified teacher; (3) no initial testing requirement for emergency appointment; (4) annual renewals available if the district documents satisfactory performance and progress toward certification; and (5) after one year of emergency certification the teacher must show good‑faith efforts toward completing certification requirements.

The committee did not vote on the underlying policy merits; members emphasized the procedural nature of holding the bill for further study so the committee can review the testimony and any suggested amendments.

No statutory citations were offered during testimony. The bill remains under committee consideration.","The Rhode Island House Committee on Education heard testimony April 1 on House Bill 5603, which would allow school districts to issue emergency preliminary teaching certificates that can be renewed annually for up to five years.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617659,"Bill to give voting seats to Student Advisory chair and Teacher of the Year draws mixed testimony",1199,1011000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb&start=1011&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839078-2b7bc448e9e8880a511a5752d730bdfb/thumbnail_1011000.jpg","/articles/6617659/Rhode-Island/Bill-to-give-voting-seats-to-Student-Advisory-chair-and-Teacher-of-the-Year-draws-mixed-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617659-2b81a84ab1ef4c9d82ac2c1aee022b62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947072&Signature=BAKucLMrKw8rAuGitNxzVzXJM2SV0hQjTyC97sr1fpeSM183aSbZBCJHr5dUJjAk4tw7UapyOTR7X6T7dGXvN62-d5dB89m9TPXzndoSRWzhE-jIQQpACYkPRlrI9we-HRKnngKT2MSIcf~hhRjZerd23AB1jEZnFXzCiSu6JlUrQhpY8i3BlWeCOzJ5rRAAy5dR~~22BYjE3zOE5RPf4MniU-obG2V7HWDzqViTWHhoJDjiltEIVeh7HrBZ~e5tgyKUrKw30qpAWOJBlDtJIqhtVfhtnOvtvUjuETmV5zffhNypXZXYgVHaraN1jb5mrQiwCQXWJrw~xvUX5XAQog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Education heard testimony April 1 on House Bill 5839, which would add the chair of the Student Advisory Council and the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year as voting members of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.

Supporters, including the bill sponsor Representative David Morales and the National Education Association, said the two additions would bring merit‑based, current classroom and student perspectives to the council’s deliberations on policy and budget priorities. Morales said both representatives earn their positions through a competitive process and peer recognition rather than gubernatorial appointment, and that giving them voting power would ensure authentic representation of those most affected by K–12 decisions.

Opponents including Andy Andre (testifying in opposition) and written testimony submitted by some student representatives argued that mandating voting status for those two seats would impose substantial time and quorum burdens on students who already balance multiple school commitments. Opposition witnesses urged preserving the current advisory role that allows students to participate and report back to their peers without the duties and attendance pressures of a voting member. The Department of Education’s staff previously expressed concerns about potential liability and other issues, but witnesses cited Article III of the council’s bylaws, which committee counsel said provide protection to members from being sued.

The National Education Association told the committee that the Teacher of the Year is a respected, rigorous selection and would provide an educator’s voice on the council if the bill passes. Written testimony in support was also filed by Secretary of State Gregg Amore and the former chair of the Rhode Island Student Advisory Council.

Committee members asked about appointment mechanics (the governor makes council appointments) and whether the addition of two voting members would change quorums or the council’s operational dynamics. Opponents warned that mandating voting status for busy students could reduce their ability to participate fully or force them into difficult scheduling choices. The committee voted to hold HB 5839, along with the other bills on the agenda, for further study; no final action on the measure occurred at the hearing.

Witnesses and written testimony recommended the committee consider either preserving advisory status for students or including safeguards—such as clear attendance expectations, support structures, and confirmatory review through the advice‑and‑consent process—before granting voting authority.","Supporters told the House Committee on Education on April 1 that adding the Student Advisory Council chair and the Teacher of the Year as voting members of Rhode Island’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education would bring authentic, on‑the‑ground perspectives to policymaking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears concerns that proposed teacher 'bill of rights' could enable outing of LGBTQ students

Rhode Island committee hears bill to allow multi‑year emergency teaching certificates

Bill to give voting seats to Student Advisory chair and Teacher of the Year draws mixed testimony