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SB 2945

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 9 co-sponsors

Expands accountability by adding day camp and residential camp staff to the set of individuals responsible for a child’s welfare in Rhode Island’s abuse-and-neglect framework.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2945

Summary: SB 2945 (Rhode Island, 2026) — Abused and Neglected Children

Overview

  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES — ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN
  • Status: Introduced March 4, 2026; referred to Senate Judiciary
  • Sponsor(s): Tikoian, Ciccone, LaMountain, McKenney, Burke, Raptakis, Bissaillon, Dimitri, Patalano, Vargas (with several co-sponsors)
  • Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose and Intent

This bill modifies the definitions in the Rhode Island Abused and Neglected Children framework to explicitly include staff of day camps and residential camps for youth within the set of individuals considered as “persons responsible for a child's welfare.” The change aims to clarify who can be held responsible for safeguarding children in out-of-home and camp settings, potentially expanding accountability for camp staff in preventing abuse and neglect.

Key Provisions

  • Section 40-11-2 – Definitions Amended:

    • The bill broadens the definition of “person responsible for child’s welfare” to include staff of day camps and residential camps for youth.
    • This addition is explicitly stated to be integrated into the chapter on abused and neglected children.
    • Other existing definitions remain in place, including:
    • Abused or neglected child
    • Child
    • Child protective investigator
    • Children’s advocacy center (CAC)
    • Department (Department of Children, Youth and Families)
    • Educational program
    • Healthcare provider
    • Institution and institutional child abuse/neglect
    • Law enforcement agency
    • Mental injury
    • Physician
    • Probable cause
    • Shaken-baby syndrome

  • Terminology and Scope:

    • Terms such as “out-of-home care” and the various caregiving roles are reaffirmed; the key addition is the explicit inclusion of camp staff who supervise or have unsupervised access to children.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Camp Staff: Day camps and residential camps for youth would be included in the definition of “person responsible for the child’s welfare.” This broadens potential accountability for safety and welfare in camp settings.
  • Children in Camp Settings: The protection framework for abused and neglected children would extend to youth participating in day camps and residential camps.
  • Qualified Agencies/Institutions: Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), child protective investigators, CACs, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and educational programs would operate under the same definitions, with the broader scope affecting who can be deemed responsible for welfare.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date: The act takes effect upon passage.
  • Legislative Process: Referred to Senate Judiciary; committee recommended for hold for further study on April 30, 2026, with prior scheduling and a hearing in April 2026.

Practical Implications

  • The bill improves clarity around accountability for child welfare in camps.
  • It could lead to heightened reporting, investigation, and enforcement actions involving camp staff when a child is abused or neglected.
  • Institutions and agencies involved in child protection may need to adjust policies or training to address the expanded scope of responsibility in camp environments.

Bottom Line

SB 2945 makes a targeted expansion to Rhode Island’s abuse-and-neglect framework by adding day camp and residential camp staff to the list of individuals considered responsible for a child’s welfare, thereby reinforcing protective responsibilities in camp settings and ensuring consistency with other out-of-home care contexts. The change would become effective immediately upon passage.

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

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