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Bill would require RIDE mental‑health curriculum and four hours of seventh‑grade instruction beginning 2027
Summary
House Bill 7116 directs RIDE to develop and make available a mental‑health curriculum and requires four hours of instruction for seventh graders starting in 2027; sponsor said the need is greater post‑COVID and asked for follow‑up on existing programs and funding.
Representative Lombardi described House Bill 7116 as a requirement for the Department of Education to develop and make available a mental‑health curriculum, with districts required to provide four hours of instruction to seventh graders starting in 2027. "I think it's important...with everything that's happening," Lombardi told the committee, and asked for information about where programs already exist and how they are funded.
Committee members and witnesses discussed the scope and delivery of mental‑health instruction. Andy Andrade (RIDE) and later committee members referenced existing state and local efforts, including screening and survey tools, and said RIDE and the Department of Health collect data on student well‑being. Representative Conner urged better translation of school‑based mental‑health work to families; Andrade agreed and said RIDE would work on outreach.
The NEA and other unions signaled support and did not provide live testimony; the sponsor asked for follow‑up on funding and geographic coverage. No final legislative action was taken at the hearing.
