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H 8062RHODE ISLANDSession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Rhode Island Bill Expands Hazing Definitions and Holds School Officials Accountable

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- HAZING (Enlarges definitions of prohibited acts that constitute hazing, make principals, coaches, athletic directors and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and punishes serious injury.)

Last action · April 16, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Matthew Dawson and 1 other

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

This legislation broadens the legal definition of and establishes criminal and administrative liabilities for principals, coaches, and athletic directors who knowingly fail to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing resulting in serious injury.

Why it matters

Establishes a direct legal duty and potential penalties for school staff and athletic leadership regarding student safety and misconduct oversight.

Background

Hazing in school athletic and extracurricular programs has been a subject of increased legislative scrutiny and demand for institutional accountability across multiple states. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

School principals, coaches, and athletic directors

School administrators and athletic staff face new legal responsibilities and potential penalties for failing to prevent hazing.

Directly affected

Students

Students are subject to expanded definitions of prohibited hazing behaviors and increased protections against serious injury.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be held responsible under this bill for failing to prevent hazing?

Principals, coaches, athletic directors, and others can be held responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent .

What triggers punishment under this proposed law?

Serious injury resulting from where officials knowingly failed to take reasonable preventive measures.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 16, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Apr 10, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/16/2026)
Feb 27, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Matthew Dawson, Earl Read

PersonMatthew Dawson“Primary sponsor of the bill”Map →

PersonEarl Read“Cosponsor of the bill”Map →

Sources

Open source document

status.rilegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz35
Current news / social attention level

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