AG Neronha and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green shared guidance with school officials on safeguarding the rights of Rhode Island students regardless of their identity, gender, and sexuality. This guidance also instructs schools that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs in Rhode Island schools should not change until the legal effect of recent executive actions is settled.

“As the new Administration continues to prioritize chaos, confusion, and fear over the American people, it is important for responsible leaders at every level of government to provide clarity to their constituents whenever possible. The President is attempting to make federal funding contingent, in part, on the reversal of policies meant to make schools a safe place for students to learn and grow. The rights of all students must be protected, and existing diversity and inclusion initiatives should stand in accordance with the law. Protecting our children includes shielding them from discrimination tactics employed by politicians seeking to divide us for their personal and political benefit. We stand with our schools and with our kids, now and always.”- AG Neronha