R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-14: Use of school district listservs.

(a) Each school district shall adopt a policy governing the use of any listserv to distribute information to the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, educational or otherwise, to knowingly circulate, or permit to be circulated, on any such listserv information:

(1) Related to any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party or candidate for federal, state, or municipal office; or

(2) Promoting the solicitation or receipt of political contributions, including invitations to fundraising events, for any political party or candidate; provided, however, this section shall not prohibit the distribution of information about a candidate public forum that is open on an equal basis to all candidates for that office.

(c) Any person or institution found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a civil fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).

(d) For purposes of this section, “listserv” means a computer software application that allows a sender to send one email to a list, and then transparently send it on to the addresses of all subscribers to the list.