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S2432AHigher Education

Education - Guaranteed Admission for Eagle Scout and Gold Award Recipients

This bill guarantees admission to Rhode Island public colleges for resident students who earn Eagle Scout or Gold Award honors.

Introduced68 Yea0 Nay7 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee Senate Education

Plain-English Summary

This bill requires Rhode Island's public colleges and universities, including the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island, to automatically admit in-state applicants who have earned the Eagle Scout rank or the Girl Scout Gold Award. Applicants must still meet the school's minimum application requirements. The guaranteed admission does not apply to specific, capacity-limited programs like nursing or engineering, and it does not guarantee financial aid or scholarships. The rule takes effect for applications submitted for the Fall 2026 semester and beyond.

For younger readers

This bill says that if you live in Rhode Island and earn the highest award in Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout) or Girl Scouts (Gold Award), you will automatically be allowed to go to a state public college. A public college is a school you can go to after high school that is run by the state. You still have to fill out the application properly, and it doesn't mean the state will pay for your classes. Also, some special subjects that only have a few spots might still say no, but you will be allowed into the college itself.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
High school studentsEagle ScoutsGirl Scout Gold Award recipientsPublic colleges and universitiesAdmissions officers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The bill provides a benefit based on achievement in specific private organizations. While this grants a state benefit based on private group affiliation, it is rationally related to the state's legitimate interest in fostering civic engagement and leadership. Furthermore, the inclusion of a comprehensive non-discrimination clause mitigates potential Equal Protection concerns.

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Rewards youth who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and civic engagement, aligning with progressive goals of community welfare.
  • Includes a strict non-discrimination clause ensuring admission is granted regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Creates a clearer, guaranteed pathway to higher education for students who excel in leadership, potentially expanding access for some applicants.
  • Scouting programs often have financial and social barriers to entry, meaning this policy may disproportionately benefit privileged students who can afford to participate.
  • Grants state-sanctioned educational privileges based exclusively on membership in specific private organizations, inappropriately blending public education with private clubs.
  • Fails to provide financial aid or tuition waivers, meaning disadvantaged students who achieve these awards may still be unable to afford college.
For Conservatives
  • Rewards participation in traditional, values-based youth organizations that emphasize personal responsibility, self-reliance, and patriotism.
  • Explicitly prevents the creation of new government spending or entitlement programs by clarifying that the bill does not guarantee financial aid or tuition waivers.
  • Maintains academic standards by requiring applicants to still meet the institution's minimum submission requirements and exempting specialized, capacity-limited programs.
  • Includes explicit protections for gender identity and expression, which conflicts with far-right conservative opposition to recognizing transgender identities in state law.
  • Imposes a government mandate on state universities regarding their admissions policies, infringing on institutional autonomy.
  • Exclusively favors Scouting America and Girl Scouts, ignoring alternative traditional or faith-based youth organizations that conservatives might prefer.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions
Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 33 additions

SECTION 1. Legislative findings. The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America or the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award represents extraordinary achievement in leadership, community service, and personal development.

(2) These accomplishments align closely with the mission of Rhode Island’s public institutions of higher education to foster civic engagement, scholarship, and community leadership.

(3) Providing guaranteed admission to recipients of these awards encourages public service among Rhode Island youth and strengthens connections between the state’s public institutions of higher education and future student leaders.

SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 16-117-1. Guaranteed admission for Eagle Scout and Gold Award recipients.

(a) Automatic admission requirement - Public institutions of higher education. Beginning with applications submitted for the Fall 2026 academic term and every term thereafter, each public institution of higher education in the State of Rhode Island, including the University of Rhode Island (URI), Rhode Island College (RIC), and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), shall grant automatic admission to any applicant who:

(1) Is a resident of the State of Rhode Island at the time of application; and

(2) Has earned:

(i) The rank of Eagle Scout from Scouting America; or

(ii) The Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA; and

(3) Meets all minimum application submission requirements established by the institution.

(b) Verification. Applicants seeking admission under this section shall provide official documentation of the Eagle Scout rank or Gold Award to the admissions office of the applicable institution.

(c) Program-specific restrictions.

(1) Nothing in this chapter shall require an institution to admit an applicant into a specialized, capacity-limited, or accreditation-restricted program (including, but not limited to, nursing, engineering, pharmacy, or fine arts audition-based programs).

(2) Applicants admitted under this section shall be permitted to enroll in the institution and may declare any major for which they meet the academic or program prerequisites.

(d) Non-discrimination. Admission granted pursuant to this chapter shall be offered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 16-117-2. Rulemaking authority. The council on postsecondary education and each public institution of higher education may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter, including procedures for documentation, deadlines, and admission notification. 16-117-3. Construction. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:

(1) Guarantee financial aid, tuition waivers, or scholarships;

(2) Alter residency requirements for in-state tuition; or

(3) Prohibit institutions from adopting additional policies that expand access or create further pathways for admission.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.