The bill amends Section 16-64-1.1 of the General Laws regarding the education of children placed in foster care, group homes, or other residential facilities by Rhode Island state agencies. It establishes that children placed in these settings are entitled to the same free, appropriate public education as other residents in the city or town where they are placed. The bill outlines the financial responsibilities of cities and towns for the educational costs of these children.

A significant change introduced in the bill is the provision that, effective June 30, 2025, neither the East Providence public schools nor the city of East Providence will be responsible for providing educational services or financial support for students attending the Children's Residential and Family Treatment (CRAFT) program. Instead, the responsibility will fall on the school district of origin, which is defined as the district where the student was last registered prior to admission to the CRAFT program. The East Providence school district will not receive reimbursement for these students as provided in this statute. This amendment aims to clarify the financial obligations related to the education of children in the CRAFT program and relieve the East Providence school district from these responsibilities.

Statutes affected:
113: 16-64-1.1
113  SUB A: 16-64-1.1