2. H5077: Charges the RI Board of Education with establishing “state-wide goals that are school specific for increasing the number of graduates who 10 earn certificates and degrees at both two and four year post-secondary public institutions of higher education” and requires the Board to develop and make available data on “college access and completion data…that includes data on students’ educational experiences and outcomes from early childhood through higher education in Rhode Island public institutions of higher education and into the workforce”. The bill then lists four specific metrics related to post-secondary enrollment, and also includes a reporting requirement on “excess credits” defined as “credits which the student earned and which were not required for the degree or certificate”. (H Health, Education and Welfare; Wed, Jan 28)

3. H5074: Raises the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour starting in January 2016 (up from $9.00 per hour currently). (H Labor; Wed, Jan 28)

4. H5068: Makes threats against “students at any public or private daycare facility, preschool, school, college, or university” using various forms of technology a felony punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 to $100,000 fine (H Judiciary; Tue, Jan 27 postponed)

5. H5152: Decriminalizes a person’s first two instances of driving without a license (H Judiciary; Tue, Jan 27 postponed)

6. H5134: Requires the Department of Youth, Children and Families, “in furtherance of the department’s duties”, to provide replacement vehicles “used for the transportation of a child or children by a public or private entity” if an investigation reveals such a vehicle to be unsafe, and a replacement cannot be provided within an hour of the inspection. “Private passenger vehicles used by a parent or guardian” are excluded from the law, and the cost of “the replacement vehicle provided by the department shall be recoverable from the party responsible for the original transportation”. (H Health, Education and Welfare; Wed, Jan 28)

Senate Confirmations: Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Local Impact: Bristol, Coventry, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Richmond.