Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7416: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS (Grants automatic admission to state public institutions for qualified Eagle Scout and Gold award recipients from the Girl Scouts.)
Status: Signed into law, June 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 30, 2026:
2026 -- H 7416 ======== LC004517 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS Introduced By: Representatives Spears, Kazarian, Stewart, Fogarty, Cotter, Speakman, McEntee, DeSimone, Read, and Shanley Date Introduced: January 30, 2026 Referred To: House Education It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Legislative findings. The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) Earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America or the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award represents extraordinary achievement in leadership, community service, and personal development. (2) These accomplishments align closely with the mission of Rhode Island's public institutions of higher education to foster civic engagement, scholarship, and community leadership. (3) Providing guaranteed admission to recipients of these awards encourages public service among Rhode Island youth and strengthens connections between the state's public institutions of higher education and future student leaders. SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS 16-117-1. Guaranteed admission for Eagle Scout and Gold Award recipients. (a) Automatic admission requirement - Public institutions of higher education. Beginning with applications submitted for the Fall 2026 academic term and every term thereafter, …
Sponsors
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036) · primary sponsor
- Katherine Kazarian (D, HD-063)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Kathleen Fogarty (D, HD-035)
- Megan Cotter (D, HD-039)
- June Speakman (D, HD-068)
- Hagan McEntee, Carol (D, HD-033)
- DeSimone, Anthony (D, HD-005)
- Earl Read (D, HD-026)
- Evan Shanley (D)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : House passed Sub A
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #337: PASSAGE (June 8, 2026): 68 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Education: Passage of Sub A (June 4, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION
Common questions
- What is H7416?
- H7416 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS (Grants automatic admission to state public institutions for qualified Eagle Scout and Gold award recipients from the Girl Scouts.).
- What is the status of H7416?
- Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7416?
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7416?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7416A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.