The bill amends Chapter 16-2 of the General Laws regarding school committees and superintendents by introducing a new section, 16-2-3.1, which addresses school calendar flexibility during declared states of emergency. It stipulates that any days public schools are closed due to a state of emergency declared by the governor of the State of Rhode Island will be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.

Additionally, school districts and public schools will not be required to submit individual waiver requests to the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for instructional days missed as a result of a declared state of emergency. Any school day canceled due to a declared state of emergency shall not be required to be made up by extending the school year, adding additional school days, or otherwise modifying the approved school calendar.

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may issue general guidance to school districts regarding emergency closures but shall not require individual waivers for closures occurring during the officially declared state of emergency period. The provisions of this section apply only to school closures resulting directly from a natural disaster, severe weather event, public safety emergency, or other emergency conditions for which the governor has issued an official state of emergency declaration. The act will take effect upon passage.