Bill Sponsors
Casimiro, Giraldo, McNamara, Read, Cotter, Donovan, Shallcross Smith, Spears, and Hopkins
Committee
House Finance
Summary
Select
This bill amends the state's driver education laws to assist youth in the foster care system. It provides that any eligible person receiving foster care in foster and adoptive homes is eligible for a fee waiver for driver's education classes at the Community College of Rhode Island. It also allows the Department of Children, Youth and Families to request and pay the tuition or enrollment fees for these individuals.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Removes financial barriers to obtaining a driver's license for foster youth, promoting greater equity and independence for a disadvantaged group.
- Strengthens the social safety net by ensuring the state takes responsibility for the developmental milestones of youths in its care.
- Enhances access to future employment and educational opportunities for foster youth by making it easier for them to learn to drive and travel independently.
Cons for Progressives
- The bill only applies to foster youth and does not extend fee waivers to other low-income or marginalized youths who also struggle to afford driver's education.
- Continues to rely on the Community College of Rhode Island as the sole provider mentioned, potentially limiting accessibility for youths who do not live near a campus or training site.
- Does not address the broader systemic costs of driving, such as vehicle access, insurance, and gas, which remain significant barriers for disadvantaged youth even with a fee waiver.
Pros for Conservatives
- Encourages self-sufficiency and personal responsibility among foster youth by helping them obtain a driver's license, which is crucial for entering the workforce.
- Avoids creating a broad, universal entitlement program by narrowly targeting the fee waivers only to individuals within the foster care system.
- Supports the traditional transition into adulthood for foster teens by removing a bureaucratic and financial hurdle to obtaining a driver's license.
Cons for Conservatives
- Increases the financial burden on the state by waiving fees or requiring a state agency to pay for services that are normally funded by the individual.
- Represents an expansion of government assistance and taxpayer-funded benefits rather than relying on private charity or individual savings.
- Maintains a government monopoly on this specific driver's education program by keeping it centralized at the state-funded community college rather than privatizing it.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Youth in foster care
- Foster parents
- Department of Children, Youth and Families
- Community College of Rhode Island
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/29/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
• 05/30/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/02/2026)
• 06/02/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 05/30/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/02/2026)
• 06/02/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 31-10-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-10-19. Driver education — Traffic safety education. [Effective until contingency in P.L. 2017, ch. 156 and 160 is met.] (a) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide thirty-three (33) hours of classroom instruction for applicants or prospective applicants, not more than twenty-one (21) years of age for a limited instruction permit or license. The instruction shall include eight (8) hours, specifically for instruction on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver, and the instruction shall be given by a person eligible for a teacher’s certificate issued under the authority of the state board of regents and which course of instruction shall be approved by the board of governors for higher education. In case of emergency, the president of the community college of Rhode Island may declare, when no certified instructor is available to teach, an individual eligible to teach at the community college of Rhode Island who has taken the required course of instruction in driver education, may provide driver education instruction. All driver education programs shall include information concerning the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23, and information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6.1 of title 23. The board of governors for higher education shall ensure that each person properly certified and approved to instruct driver education courses shall be given an equal opportunity for employment as an instructor within the driver education program. No person teaching driver education under this section shall own, be employed by, or be associated with a commercial driving school.
(b) Driver education instruction shall be available to any eligible resident applicant not less than fifteen (15) years and ten (10) months of age.
(c) That the state shall also provide a separate program of instruction, as previously set forth in this section, for special needs students whose individual education plan (IEP) indicates a need for a separate program of instruction.
(d) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers. The program shall instruct the physically handicapped driver in the operation of adapted vehicles for the handicapped. The adapted vehicles are to be provided by the handicapped individual. A physically handicapped person must be certified by a licensed physician that he or she is physically handicapped and possesses sufficient potential to become a competent motor vehicle operator. The community college of Rhode Island shall establish a tuition fee sufficient to cover the cost of the program.
(e) A tuition or enrollment fee shall be required to be paid by an eligible applicant, except, upon a request and payment of the tuition or enrollment fee from the department of children, youth and families, for any eligible person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42-72.1-2, in accordance with rules and regulations of the board of governors for higher education; provided, that personal checks shall be an acceptable method of payment of the tuition or enrollment fee. The tuition or enrollment fee shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account established to pay any and all costs associated with the driver education program at the community college of Rhode Island and administered by the community college of Rhode Island. Provided further, any person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42- 72.1-2, shall be eligible for a fee waiver for driver's education classes at the community college of Rhode Island.
(f) The board of governors for higher education is authorized to establish administrative regulations to further implement this section.
(g) The community college of Rhode Island shall establish tuition fees sufficient to cover the cost of the program and the administration of the driver education program. All positions established to implement the driver education program and funded in full by driver education program fees shall be exempt from the full-time equivalency cap established in Article 1 of the Appropriations Act, provided, however, that the board of governors shall report by June 1, 2004, the actual number of filled positions funded exclusively by driver education fees to the chairperson of the house finance committee, the chairperson of the senate finance committee, and the state LC006527 - Page 2 of 7 budget officer.
(h) The board of governors for higher education shall provide for an optional and voluntary course of instruction for the applicant’s parent, guardian, or designee where applicable, on the content of the driver education curriculum and the requirements for the graduated licensing for persons under the age of eighteen (18) as contained in § 31-10-6. The community college of Rhode Island shall be responsible to develop the course of instruction and content for the parent instruction, or may approve a similar course of instruction, such as AAA’s course, as equivalent to it, and shall promulgate regulations and establish the appropriate method of providing the instruction.
(i) Dangers of distracted driving, including, but not limited to, use of cell phones would be included in this section curriculum and included in all testing as part of the state’s driver’s license examination.
(j) Included in the classroom instruction shall be curriculum related to the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving such as the course provided by AAA or similar equivalent.
(k) The curriculum required by subsection (j) of this section shall become effective upon the effective date of this subsection [June 19, 2023] and shall only be implemented upon the approval of the course by the state board of education.
31-10-19. Driver education — Traffic safety education. [Effective when contingency in P.L. 2017, ch. 156 and 160 is met.] (a) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide thirty-three (33) hours of classroom instruction for applicants or prospective applicants, not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, for a limited-instruction permit or license. The instruction shall include eight (8) hours, specifically for instruction on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver, and the instruction shall be given by a person eligible for a teacher’s certificate issued under the authority of the state board of education and which course of instruction shall be approved by the state board of education. In case of emergency, the president of the community college of Rhode Island may declare, when no certified instructor is available to teach, that an individual eligible to teach at the community college of Rhode Island, who has taken the required course of instruction in driver education, may provide driver education instruction. All driver education programs shall include information concerning the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23, and information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6.1 of title 23. The state board of education shall ensure that each person properly certified and approved to instruct driver education courses shall be given an equal opportunity for employment as an instructor within the driver education program. No person teaching driver education under this section shall own, be employed by, or be LC006527 - Page 3 of 7 associated with a commercial driving school.
(b) Driver education instruction shall be available to any eligible resident applicant not less than fifteen (15) years and ten (10) months of age.
(c) That the state shall also provide a separate program of instruction, as previously set forth in this section, for special needs students whose individual education plan (IEP) indicates a need for a separate program of instruction.
(d) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers. The program shall instruct the physically handicapped driver in the operation of adapted vehicles for the handicapped. The adapted vehicles are to be provided by the handicapped individual. A physically handicapped person must be certified by a licensed physician that he or she is physically handicapped and possesses sufficient potential to become a competent motor vehicle operator. The community college of Rhode Island shall establish a tuition fee sufficient to cover the cost of the program.
(e) A tuition or enrollment fee shall be required to be paid by an eligible applicant, except, upon a request and payment of the tuition or enrollment fee from the department of children, youth and families, for any eligible person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42-72.1-2, in accordance with rules and regulations of the state board of education; provided, that personal checks shall be an acceptable method of payment of the tuition or enrollment fee. The tuition or enrollment fee shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account established to pay any and all costs associated with the driver education program at the community college of Rhode Island and administered by the community college of Rhode Island. Provided further, any person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42- 72.1-2, shall be eligible for a fee waiver for driver's education classes at the community college of Rhode Island.
(f) The state board of education is authorized to establish administrative regulations to further implement this section.
(g) The community college of Rhode Island shall establish tuition fees sufficient to cover the cost of the program and the administration of the driver education program. All positions established to implement the driver education program and funded in full by driver education program fees shall be exempt from the full-time equivalency cap established in Article 1 of the Appropriations Act, provided, however, that the board of governors shall report by June 1, 2004, the actual number of filled positions funded exclusively by driver education fees to the chairperson of the house finance committee, the chairperson of the senate finance committee, and the state budget officer. LC006527 - Page 4 of 7
(h) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the state board of education shall provide for a required course of instruction for the applicant’s parent, guardian, or designee where applicable, on the content of the driver education curriculum and the requirements for the graduated licensing for persons under the age of eighteen (18) as contained in § 31-10-6. The course of instruction shall be made available in a classroom setting at numerous locations, days, and times throughout the state, approved by the community college of Rhode Island. All costs and expenses associated with the course of instruction, including, but not limited to, materials, instructors, and location fees shall be at the sole expense of the program providers. Once approved by the state board of education, an online course of instruction shall be made available to parent(s), guardian(s), or designee(s), where applicable, to meet the requirements of this section. Under no circumstances shall any parent, guardian, or designee, where applicable, be required to pay any cost or fee in association with participation in the course required by this section. Upon completion of the course pursuant to this section, no parent, guardian, or designee shall be required to take the course more than one time in a five-year (5) period. Parents, guardians, and designees with multiple children having completed this course shall be deemed to have satisfied this requirement for each child in their care applying for his or her license during the five-year (5) period. Should AAA or any other provider cease to provide the course and no other provider exists, the community college of Rhode Island shall not be required to provide the course of instruction nor shall it be required to pay any of the costs associated therewith. Parents, guardians, and designees shall not be required to complete the course prior to their child obtaining a license during any time at which a qualified program under this section does not exist. The community college of Rhode Island shall be responsible to develop the course of instruction and content for the parent instruction, or may approve a similar course of instruction, such as AAA’s course, as equivalent to it, and shall promulgate regulations and establish the appropriate method of providing the instruction. Should a qualified program cease to exist for a period of time greater than six (6) months, the course of instruction will not be required.
(i) Dangers of distracted driving, including, but not limited to, use of cell phones would be included in this section curriculum and included in all testing as part of the state’s driver’s license examination.
(j) Included in the classroom instruction shall be curriculum related to the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving such as the course provided by AAA or similar equivalent.
(k) The curriculum required by subsection (j) of this section shall become effective upon the effective date of this subsection [June 19, 2023] and shall only be implemented upon the approval of the course by the state board of education. LC006527 - Page 5 of 7
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
31-10-19. Driver education — Traffic safety education. [Effective until contingency in P.L. 2017, ch. 156 and 160 is met.] (a) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide thirty-three (33) hours of classroom instruction for applicants or prospective applicants, not more than twenty-one (21) years of age for a limited instruction permit or license. The instruction shall include eight (8) hours, specifically for instruction on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver, and the instruction shall be given by a person eligible for a teacher’s certificate issued under the authority of the state board of regents and which course of instruction shall be approved by the board of governors for higher education. In case of emergency, the president of the community college of Rhode Island may declare, when no certified instructor is available to teach, an individual eligible to teach at the community college of Rhode Island who has taken the required course of instruction in driver education, may provide driver education instruction. All driver education programs shall include information concerning the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23, and information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6.1 of title 23. The board of governors for higher education shall ensure that each person properly certified and approved to instruct driver education courses shall be given an equal opportunity for employment as an instructor within the driver education program. No person teaching driver education under this section shall own, be employed by, or be associated with a commercial driving school.
(b) Driver education instruction shall be available to any eligible resident applicant not less than fifteen (15) years and ten (10) months of age.
(c) That the state shall also provide a separate program of instruction, as previously set forth in this section, for special needs students whose individual education plan (IEP) indicates a need for a separate program of instruction.
(d) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers. The program shall instruct the physically handicapped driver in the operation of adapted vehicles for the handicapped. The adapted vehicles are to be provided by the handicapped individual. A physically handicapped person must be certified by a licensed physician that he or she is physically handicapped and possesses sufficient potential to become a competent motor vehicle operator. The community college of Rhode Island shall establish a tuition fee sufficient to cover the cost of the program.
(e) A tuition or enrollment fee shall be required to be paid by an eligible applicant, except, upon a request and payment of the tuition or enrollment fee from the department of children, youth and families, for any eligible person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42-72.1-2, in accordance with rules and regulations of the board of governors for higher education; provided, that personal checks shall be an acceptable method of payment of the tuition or enrollment fee. The tuition or enrollment fee shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account established to pay any and all costs associated with the driver education program at the community college of Rhode Island and administered by the community college of Rhode Island. Provided further, any person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42- 72.1-2, shall be eligible for a fee waiver for driver's education classes at the community college of Rhode Island.
(f) The board of governors for higher education is authorized to establish administrative regulations to further implement this section.
(g) The community college of Rhode Island shall establish tuition fees sufficient to cover the cost of the program and the administration of the driver education program. All positions established to implement the driver education program and funded in full by driver education program fees shall be exempt from the full-time equivalency cap established in Article 1 of the Appropriations Act, provided, however, that the board of governors shall report by June 1, 2004, the actual number of filled positions funded exclusively by driver education fees to the chairperson of the house finance committee, the chairperson of the senate finance committee, and the state LC006527 - Page 2 of 7 budget officer.
(h) The board of governors for higher education shall provide for an optional and voluntary course of instruction for the applicant’s parent, guardian, or designee where applicable, on the content of the driver education curriculum and the requirements for the graduated licensing for persons under the age of eighteen (18) as contained in § 31-10-6. The community college of Rhode Island shall be responsible to develop the course of instruction and content for the parent instruction, or may approve a similar course of instruction, such as AAA’s course, as equivalent to it, and shall promulgate regulations and establish the appropriate method of providing the instruction.
(i) Dangers of distracted driving, including, but not limited to, use of cell phones would be included in this section curriculum and included in all testing as part of the state’s driver’s license examination.
(j) Included in the classroom instruction shall be curriculum related to the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving such as the course provided by AAA or similar equivalent.
(k) The curriculum required by subsection (j) of this section shall become effective upon the effective date of this subsection [June 19, 2023] and shall only be implemented upon the approval of the course by the state board of education.
31-10-19. Driver education — Traffic safety education. [Effective when contingency in P.L. 2017, ch. 156 and 160 is met.] (a) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide thirty-three (33) hours of classroom instruction for applicants or prospective applicants, not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, for a limited-instruction permit or license. The instruction shall include eight (8) hours, specifically for instruction on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver, and the instruction shall be given by a person eligible for a teacher’s certificate issued under the authority of the state board of education and which course of instruction shall be approved by the state board of education. In case of emergency, the president of the community college of Rhode Island may declare, when no certified instructor is available to teach, that an individual eligible to teach at the community college of Rhode Island, who has taken the required course of instruction in driver education, may provide driver education instruction. All driver education programs shall include information concerning the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23, and information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6.1 of title 23. The state board of education shall ensure that each person properly certified and approved to instruct driver education courses shall be given an equal opportunity for employment as an instructor within the driver education program. No person teaching driver education under this section shall own, be employed by, or be LC006527 - Page 3 of 7 associated with a commercial driving school.
(b) Driver education instruction shall be available to any eligible resident applicant not less than fifteen (15) years and ten (10) months of age.
(c) That the state shall also provide a separate program of instruction, as previously set forth in this section, for special needs students whose individual education plan (IEP) indicates a need for a separate program of instruction.
(d) The community college of Rhode Island shall provide a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers. The program shall instruct the physically handicapped driver in the operation of adapted vehicles for the handicapped. The adapted vehicles are to be provided by the handicapped individual. A physically handicapped person must be certified by a licensed physician that he or she is physically handicapped and possesses sufficient potential to become a competent motor vehicle operator. The community college of Rhode Island shall establish a tuition fee sufficient to cover the cost of the program.
(e) A tuition or enrollment fee shall be required to be paid by an eligible applicant, except, upon a request and payment of the tuition or enrollment fee from the department of children, youth and families, for any eligible person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42-72.1-2, in accordance with rules and regulations of the state board of education; provided, that personal checks shall be an acceptable method of payment of the tuition or enrollment fee. The tuition or enrollment fee shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account established to pay any and all costs associated with the driver education program at the community college of Rhode Island and administered by the community college of Rhode Island. Provided further, any person receiving foster caregiving in foster and adoptive homes as defined in § 42- 72.1-2, shall be eligible for a fee waiver for driver's education classes at the community college of Rhode Island.
(f) The state board of education is authorized to establish administrative regulations to further implement this section.
(g) The community college of Rhode Island shall establish tuition fees sufficient to cover the cost of the program and the administration of the driver education program. All positions established to implement the driver education program and funded in full by driver education program fees shall be exempt from the full-time equivalency cap established in Article 1 of the Appropriations Act, provided, however, that the board of governors shall report by June 1, 2004, the actual number of filled positions funded exclusively by driver education fees to the chairperson of the house finance committee, the chairperson of the senate finance committee, and the state budget officer. LC006527 - Page 4 of 7
(h) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the state board of education shall provide for a required course of instruction for the applicant’s parent, guardian, or designee where applicable, on the content of the driver education curriculum and the requirements for the graduated licensing for persons under the age of eighteen (18) as contained in § 31-10-6. The course of instruction shall be made available in a classroom setting at numerous locations, days, and times throughout the state, approved by the community college of Rhode Island. All costs and expenses associated with the course of instruction, including, but not limited to, materials, instructors, and location fees shall be at the sole expense of the program providers. Once approved by the state board of education, an online course of instruction shall be made available to parent(s), guardian(s), or designee(s), where applicable, to meet the requirements of this section. Under no circumstances shall any parent, guardian, or designee, where applicable, be required to pay any cost or fee in association with participation in the course required by this section. Upon completion of the course pursuant to this section, no parent, guardian, or designee shall be required to take the course more than one time in a five-year (5) period. Parents, guardians, and designees with multiple children having completed this course shall be deemed to have satisfied this requirement for each child in their care applying for his or her license during the five-year (5) period. Should AAA or any other provider cease to provide the course and no other provider exists, the community college of Rhode Island shall not be required to provide the course of instruction nor shall it be required to pay any of the costs associated therewith. Parents, guardians, and designees shall not be required to complete the course prior to their child obtaining a license during any time at which a qualified program under this section does not exist. The community college of Rhode Island shall be responsible to develop the course of instruction and content for the parent instruction, or may approve a similar course of instruction, such as AAA’s course, as equivalent to it, and shall promulgate regulations and establish the appropriate method of providing the instruction. Should a qualified program cease to exist for a period of time greater than six (6) months, the course of instruction will not be required.
(i) Dangers of distracted driving, including, but not limited to, use of cell phones would be included in this section curriculum and included in all testing as part of the state’s driver’s license examination.
(j) Included in the classroom instruction shall be curriculum related to the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving such as the course provided by AAA or similar equivalent.
(k) The curriculum required by subsection (j) of this section shall become effective upon the effective date of this subsection [June 19, 2023] and shall only be implemented upon the approval of the course by the state board of education. LC006527 - Page 5 of 7
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.