H 7011Special Education

H7011 - Rhode Island 2026

This resolution appropriates $1.16 million to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program to support educational services for children with hearing loss.

Held for study

Population
Affected

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Introduced Jan 7, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes an appropriation of $1,167,100 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program. The program, which is currently housed within the Foster School Department, provides specialized educational services for children with hearing loss.

The funding is intended to support the program's mission of offering auditory-oral programming for children who benefit from hearing technology. By providing these specialized resources, the program aims to equip children with hearing loss with the necessary tools for successful inclusion and academic achievement in their educational journeys.

For younger readers

This bill gives about $1.1 million to a special school program in Rhode Island. The program helps children who have hearing loss learn to listen and speak using hearing technology. This money will make sure these kids get the help they need to succeed in school.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Children with hearing lossParents and families of children with hearing lossSpecial education teachers and staffFoster School Department

Impacted communities

Foster

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. This is a standard legislative appropriation of state funds for a public educational purpose.

Estimated cost

$1,167,100

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Provides necessary funding for special education services
Promotes educational equity and inclusion for children with disabilities
Supports public school infrastructure by funding a program housed in a public school department
Relies on a one-time joint resolution rather than establishing permanent, structural funding for the program
May divert attention from the need to fund special education broadly across all Rhode Island school districts

For Conservatives

Supports a highly targeted educational program with a clear, specific mission
Helps children with hearing loss gain the tools they need for independence and achievement
Funds a program managed at the local level (Foster School Department)
Increases state spending by over $1.1 million
Uses general treasury funds that are not otherwise appropriated
Sets a precedent for individual programs seeking direct state appropriations outside the standard education funding formula

Votes

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Full Bill Text

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated to the RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM (hereinafter the “Program”), which is a statewide educational program currently housed within the Foster School Department, the sum of one million, one hundred sixty- seven thousand, one hundred dollars ($1,167,100), out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, to support the Program’s mission to provide specialized auditory-oral programming for children with hearing loss who benefit from hearing technology and to provide these children with tools necessary for successful inclusion and achievement; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM *** This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of one million, one hundred sixty-seven thousand, one hundred dollars ($1,167,100), to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program, to support the program’s mission to provide specialized auditory-oral programming for children with hearing loss.