Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7115: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a pa
Status: In committee, June 9, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 15, 2026:
2026 -- H 7115 ======== LC003590 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Donovan, Ackerman, Casimiro, Bennett, Casey, Noret, Read, Paplauskas, and Fascia Date Introduced: January 15, 2026 Referred To: House Education It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 16-21-44. Use of impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers in interscholastic league football. (a)(1) Recent developments in sports technology have created soft shell helmet covers. (2) These soft shell helmet covers have been shown to reduce the impact of collisions in contact sports by adding a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional hard-shelled football helmet. (3) As used in this section, the term "device" shall refer to a soft-shell helmet cover that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet which layers are designed to reduce the impact of collisions to the body and the helmet, and thereby reduce the incidence and minimize the effects of concussions and other trauma to the body. (b)(1) Effective August 1, 2028, every student participating in the sport of football in the Rhode Island interscholastic league shall …
Sponsors
- McNamara, Joseph (D, HD-019) · primary sponsor
- Susan Donovan (D, HD-069)
- Mia Ackerman (D, HD-045)
- Julie Casimiro (D, HD-031)
- David Bennett (D, HD-020)
- Stephen Casey (D, HD-050)
- Thomas Noret (D, HD-025)
- Earl Read (D, HD-026)
- Christopher Paplauskas (R)
- Richard Fascia (R, HD-042)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Senate Education
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Education
Votes
- House Seq #215: PASSAGE (May 28, 2026): 63 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Education: Passage (May 19, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION
Common questions
- What is H7115?
- H7115 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a pa.
- What does H7115 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football)
- What is the status of H7115?
- In committee as of June 9, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Senate Education (June 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7115?
- McNamara, Joseph (D, HD-019), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7115?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7115.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.