H 7893Higher Education

Education - Offenses Pertaining to Schools

Rhode Island universities cannot ask about or grant admission preference based on an applicant's family alumni connections.

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Education

Plain-English Summary

This legislation prohibits both public and private universities in Rhode Island from practicing "legacy admissions." Specifically, schools are banned from giving any preferential treatment to an applicant based on their family relationship to someone who previously attended the institution. Furthermore, universities are prohibited from asking about alumni family connections on their admission applications. If a university discovers a family connection through other means during the review process, they are legally required to disregard that information and cannot use it to favor the applicant.

For younger readers

When people apply to go to college, they have to be accepted by the school. Sometimes, colleges let people in just because their mom or dad went to school there a long time ago. This is called "legacy." This new rule says that colleges in Rhode Island are not allowed to do that anymore. They cannot ask if your family went there, and they cannot give you a special spot just because of your relatives. Everyone has to get in based on their own hard work, not who their parents are.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

College applicantsPublic universitiesPrivate universitiesUniversity alumniHigh school students

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Moderate risk

Moderate. While the state has authority over public institutions, regulating the admissions criteria of private universities may implicate the First Amendment right to freedom of association. Private entities generally have the right to select their members. However, the government has a compelling interest in preventing discrimination and ensuring fair access to education, which courts might weigh against the institutions' rights.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Dismantles a systemic barrier that has historically favored wealthy, white, and privileged applicants, thereby promoting greater social equity in higher education.
Levels the playing field for first-generation, low-income, and marginalized students who historically lack generational access to elite institutions.
Encourages a more diverse student body by removing a selection criterion that perpetuates socioeconomic stratification and aristocracy.
Could potentially reduce alumni donations to universities, which might negatively impact financial aid pools available for low-income students.
May disadvantage students from minority groups whose parents were the first generation to integrate these universities and who now wish to pass that achievement on to their children.
Does not address other forms of purchased privilege, such as preferences for the children of major donors who may not be alumni.

For Conservatives

Promotes a merit-based system where individuals are judged on their own capabilities and achievements rather than their family name or connections.
Ensures that all applicants are treated equally under the law, preventing special treatment for specific classes of people.
Challenges the insular nature of elite academic institutions that often act as gatekeepers of culture and ideology.
Represents significant government overreach into the internal operations and decision-making processes of private businesses and institutions.
Infringes upon the freedom of association, limiting the right of private organizations to determine their own membership criteria and build multi-generational communities.
Disregards the importance of tradition and institutional loyalty, which are values often upheld by private entities to foster community support.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 8 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 16-38 of the General Laws entitled "Offenses Pertaining to Schools [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 16-38-15. Legacy admissions.

(a) No public or private university shall extend preferential treatment to an applicant in any manner because of the student's familial relationship to a previous attendee during admissions consideration.

(b) No public or private university shall inquire about a prospective student's familial relationship to a previous attendee on an application for admission. If the university learns about the prospective student's familial relationship to a previous attendee during the application process, the institution shall not extend preferential treatment to the prospective student.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.