Rhode Island H7114: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Permits special community service to be imposed because of bullying

What the bill says

An act or acts of bullying which is based upon or related to the religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity of the person subject to the bullying, may, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be required to perform up to ten (10) hours of directed community service in a setting and manner to both deter a student from engaging in future acts of bullying, and also to promote learning, knowledge, and insight. This community service may be imposed by a juvenile hearing board, or a school administration, or any combination thereof. Directed community service imposed by a school.

From the introduced text, January 15, 2026:

an act or acts of bullying which is based upon or related to the religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity of the person subject to the bullying, may, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be required to perform up to ten (10) hours of directed community service in a setting and manner to both deter a student from engaging in future acts of bullying, and also to promote learning, knowledge, and insight. This community service may be imposed by a juvenile hearing board, or a school administration, or any combination thereof. Directed community service imposed by a school administration or juvenile hearing board shall not be deemed a criminal penalty. (d) Directed community service shall be tailored to the bullying action. By way of illustration only, and without imposing any limitations, for a student who has bullied a student based upon the student's Jewish faith or heritage, directed community service pursuant to this section could be performed at a Holocaust museum. (e) Any community service imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall need to be completed within three (3) months from the date of imposition. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003216 ======== LC003216 - Page 2 of EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF ANACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND …