Welcome back to our ongoing series breaking down the new laws coming out of the General Assembly this summer. The ink is dry on a number of bills that will reshape pieces of daily life here in the Ocean State. This week, we’re looking at three significant changes: a new rule for cell phones in public schools, a measure to fortify public access to our coastline, and a new pathway designed to bring more doctors into communities that need them most.

First, let’s talk about the classroom. A new law, H5598, will require every public school in the state to implement a policy prohibiting students from physically accessing their personal electronic devices during the school day. Before you panic, there are a few key points here. The law makes clear exceptions for students who need devices for medical reasons, for an IEP or 504 plan, or to assist with language learning. So, a student monitoring their glucose on a smartwatch is fine. The goal is to reduce distractions and get kids focused on learning, not TikTok. School districts have some time to figure this out, as the law doesn’t take effect until August 1, 2026.

Next, for anyone who has ever stared at a stretch of coastline and wondered, “Can I actually walk there?”, bill H5686 offers a bit of clarity. This law amends the duties of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) by requiring municipalities to officially identify, list, and display all CRMC-designated public rights-of-way on their official maps. We believe this puts the responsibility squarely on towns to make public access points clear to the public, preventing these paths from becoming forgotten or obscured over time. If a town fails to do so, it doesn’t change the legal status of the right-of-way. This is a small but meaningful step in the continuing effort to protect public access to the shore.

Finally, in a move to address the state’s physician shortage, S0347 creates a new, tiered licensing system for internationally-trained physicians. The program allows doctors trained abroad to obtain a limited, supervised license to work in a designated shortage area. After a period of assessment and after passing all required U.S. medical exams, they can progress to a restricted license for independent practice in that shortage area, and eventually, to a full, unrestricted license. It’s a pragmatic approach that could connect underserved communities with qualified doctors who are currently sidelined by licensing hurdles.

These laws represent real changes for students, beachgoers, and patients across Rhode Island. We’ll be back soon to unpack another set of new rules from Smith Hill.