WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 3106

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Ciccone

Expands the scope of child abuse and neglect reporting to include more education and enrichment settings, with a 24-hour reporting requirement and clarified procedures.

04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3106

Summary of SB 3106 (2026) – Rhode Island

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES — ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

Purpose and intent

  • The bill expands and clarifies Rhode Island’s abuse and neglect provisions under the child welfare laws.
  • It updates definitions and reporting requirements to better address abuse, neglect, and protective investigations in a broader range of educational and childcare settings.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Expanded definition of “educational program” (Section 1, Definitions, 40-11-2)

    • Broadens the scope to include:
      • Charter schools
      • Parochial (private) schools
      • After-school programs
      • Camps
      • Youth groups, scouting organizations
      • Tutoring programs and other enrichment activities
      • Any home schooling-related activities and activities that provide educational, athletic, artistic, developmental, religious, or other enrichment
    • The expansion ensures that child abuse or neglect occurring in these settings will fall under the state’s abuse and neglect framework.

  2. Definitions restated and clarified (Section 1, 40-11-2)

    • Reiterates and clarifies terms used in the chapter, including:
      • “Abused or neglected child”
      • “Child protective investigator”
      • “Department” (Department of Children, Youth and Families)
      • “Institution,” “institutional child abuse and neglect”
      • “Religious organization”
      • “Reasonable cause to know or suspect”
      • “Mental injury,” “physical injury”
      • “Person responsible for child’s welfare” (with specific exclusions related to consent for removal/examination by certain individuals)

  3. Duty to report – Sexual abuse in educational programs or religious organizations (Section 1, 40-11-3.3)

    • Mandates reporting within 24 hours to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and to local/state law enforcement when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect by employees, agents, contractors, volunteers of an educational program or religious organization, or by another child in such settings.
    • Requires immediate notification to the program/religious organization leadership and, for public schools, to the superintendent.
    • Reports must include basic information about individuals with direct knowledge of the allegation.
    • Provides that a single report per incident is generally sufficient from a program or organization.
    • Establishes duties for school superintendents and designated agents to handle subsequent notifications to law enforcement and DCYF.
    • If the DCYF substantiates the allegations, it must notify relevant agencies and the family, and refer the child to appropriate services.

  4. DCYF rulemaking authority (Section 1, 40-11-3.3, subsections)

    • DCYF director is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and carry out investigations and reporting as described.

  5. Definitions of “reasonable cause” (Section 1, 40-11-3.3)

    • Clarifies that reasonable cause means objectively reasonable suspicion based on facts and training; certainty is not required.

Who is affected

  • Children under the care of educational programs newly included in the expanded definition (e.g., charter and parochial schools, after-school programs, camps, youth groups, etc.).
  • Personnel in these programs (employees, agents, contractors, volunteers) who would be required to report suspected abuse/neglect.
  • Educational program administrators and leaders responsible for initial notification and coordination with DCYF and law enforcement.
  • Law enforcement, DCYF, state attorney general, Department of Education, and child advocacy centers involved in investigations and referrals.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Reporting obligation: within 24 hours of reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect.
  • Immediate notification requirements to program leadership and, for public programs, to the school superintendent.
  • DCYF initiation of investigations when criteria for a child protective services investigation are met.
  • Timely sharing of information with relevant authorities and notification of involved parties if substantiation occurs.
  • Effective upon passage (taking effect immediately after enacted).

Overall impact

  • The bill strengthens child protection by broadening where abuse/neglect reporting applies and by clarifying reporting procedures and timelines.
  • It aims to improve detection, reporting, and response to abuse and neglect occurring in a wider array of child-focused educational and enrichment environments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.