HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE USE OF THIRD-PARTY DIGITAL PLATFORMS WITHIN PUBLIC EDUCATION (Creates a special legislative commission to study the use of third-party digital platforms in public education and report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly no later than April 23, 2027, and said commission expires on May 28, 2027.)

Plain-English Summary

This Rhode Island House Resolution would create a special study commission to examine how public schools use third-party digital platforms — meaning outside apps, websites, and online tools (like educational software, learning management systems, or other technology products) that are not directly operated by the school or government. The commission would research how these tools are being used in classrooms across Rhode Island and then report its findings and recommendations to the state legislature by April 23, 2027. The commission would officially dissolve on May 28, 2027.

The commission would primarily affect public school students, parents, teachers, and school administrators, as well as the companies that provide digital tools to schools. By studying how these platforms are used, the commission could help lawmakers better understand issues like student data privacy, educational effectiveness, costs to schools, and whether proper oversight exists for the outside technology products that students and teachers rely on every day.

It's important to note that this resolution does not change any current laws or create new rules — it simply establishes a group to gather information and study the issue. Any actual policy changes would require separate legislation based on the commission's findings. Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Education Committee and is being held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process.