Provides that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school creates a network charter school.

Rhode Island Charter School Network Bill

This bill would place a new restriction on charter school growth in Rhode Island by prohibiting the approval of any new charter school application that would create or expand a "network charter school." In practical terms, this means that organizations running multiple charter schools under a shared brand, leadership, or management structure would not be allowed to open additional schools or grow their existing operations into a multi-school network in the state.

The bill primarily affects charter school operators — particularly larger organizations that run or plan to run more than one school — by limiting their ability to expand. It would also affect families who might have otherwise had access to new schools operated by established charter networks. Traditional public schools and school districts could potentially be indirectly affected, as this restriction may slow the growth of charter school alternatives in their communities.

It is worth noting that the bill does not close any currently operating charter schools or networks — it only prevents new approvals going forward. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Rhode Island Senate Education Committee, meaning it is still in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on or signed into law.