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S 2169Curriculum and Standards

Education - Career and Technical Education

Starting in 2026, students in firefighting or safety programs can train at the Fire Academy and take certification exams.

Held for study
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 16, 2026Committee Senate Labor & Gaming

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends Rhode Island's education laws regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE). Effective July 1, 2026, it allows students enrolled in specific CTE programs—such as emergency medicine, firefighting, or public safety—to participate in training activities at the Rhode Island Fire Academy, even if they are under eighteen years old. The bill mandates that state education and health departments work with the Fire Academy to establish safety and eligibility guidelines. Additionally, qualified students who complete these programs will be eligible to take official certification exams for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous Materials Awareness.

For younger readers

This new law helps students who want to become firefighters or emergency workers when they grow up. Starting in July 2026, students taking special classes for these jobs can go to the Rhode Island Fire Academy to practice real skills, even if they are not 18 years old yet. They have to show they are fit and ready to do it safely. Once they finish their classes, they are allowed to take the official tests to become certified firefighters. This gives them a head start on their future careers.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
CTE StudentsRhode Island Fire Academy StaffFire DepartmentsVocational SchoolsParents of CTE Students
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Promotes educational equity by providing non-college-bound youth with robust, state-funded vocational training and clear pathways to stable, unionized public sector careers.
  • Strengthens the community social safety net by creating a sustainable pipeline of trained personnel for essential public services like firefighting and emergency medicine.
  • Empowers youth by removing age-based bureaucratic barriers, allowing them to gain professional credentials and economic independence at an earlier age.
  • Raises concerns regarding the safety and well-being of minors participating in potentially hazardous training environments traditionally reserved for adults.
  • Could be viewed as funneling working-class students into dangerous professions rather than encouraging broader academic exploration or higher education opportunities.
  • May lack sufficient oversight details in the bill text regarding strict protections against physical exploitation or liability in the event of student injury.
For Conservatives
  • Encourages workforce development and skilled trades, reducing reliance on four-year university degrees and promoting practical, job-ready skills.
  • Strengthens public safety institutions by expanding the recruitment pool for first responders, ensuring communities are better protected.
  • Promotes individual responsibility and work ethic among youth by allowing them to engage in rigorous, disciplined professional training.
  • Expands government bureaucracy by requiring multiple state departments and boards to create new regulations, guidelines, and benchmarks.
  • Potential for increased taxpayer liability if a minor is injured during state-sponsored training activities at the Fire Academy.
  • Delays implementation until 2026, which may be seen as government inefficiency in addressing immediate workforce shortages in the fire services.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 22 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 16-45.1 of the General Laws entitled "Career and Technical Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 16-45.1-4. Participation by students in training activities at the Rhode Island fire academy.

(a) Effective July 1, 2026, students enrolled in an appropriately credentialed career and technical education program in the areas of emergency medicine technician, firefighting, or public safety (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “program”) including, but not limited to, students under the age of eighteen (18) years, shall be eligible to participate in training activities at the Rhode Island fire academy. The Rhode Island fire academy, in conjunction with the department of health, the department of education, and the career and technical board of trustees, shall establish guidelines and benchmarks a student shall meet within and, if appropriate, outside of the program, in order to be eligible to participate in these training activities. Provided, as a prerequisite, a student shall be deemed fit to participate in these training activities by both the student’s sending district and the fire academy. (b)(1) Effective July 1, 2026, students who successfully complete an appropriately credentialed career and technical education program as described in subsection (a) of this section may take the exams and skills testing for the following certifications:

(i) Hazardous materials awareness;

(ii) Firefighter I; and

(iii) Firefighter II.

(2) The fire education and training coordinating board established pursuant to § 23-28.2- 23 is authorized to promulgate any rules or regulations the board deems necessary to ensure students are properly trained and fit to undertake the exams and skills testing for the certifications referenced in this subsection.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.