S.2540

Establishes a new program where the per pupil funding, calculated annually by RIDE, would be transferred into a newly created educational funding account run by the children's scholarship fund to pay for educational expenses.

Introduced·2/13/26
Introduced Text

Establishes the Education Freedom Account Program to allow parents to use state education funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other.

This bill creates the Education Freedom Account Program, administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund, to provide state education funds to parents for certain educational expenses. Eligible students must be Rhode Island residents and have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. Funds can be used for tuition and fees at private schools, non-public online learning programs, tutoring services, and other qualifying expenses. The Children's Scholarship Fund will manage the accounts, ensuring funds are used appropriately and not refunded or shared with parents.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

See what it does, who it affects, and the critical issues in plain language. Free, 30 seconds.

Where it stands

Current
Finance Committee
Next
Session adjourned — paused until it reconvenes

Sponsors

0
1
R
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

Senate Committee on Finance: Be held for further study

7 Yea

DDRRDDD

0 Nay

4 Absent

DDDD

Calendar

May 19

12:00 AM

Senate Finance Hearing

History

May 19

Senate

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

May 15

Senate

Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)

Feb 13

Senate

Introduced, referred to Senate Finance