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HB 7687

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 9 co-sponsors

The bill expands GPA asset exemptions (allowing more resources) and hardens ABLE protections, shielding accounts during life but allowing state recovery after death.

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7687

Rhode Island HB 7687 (2026) – Summary

Bill at a Glance

  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Session: 2026
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES — PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT
  • Primary purpose: Make targeted amendments to the Public Assistance Act and related provisions to adjust eligibility/resource rules and ABLE account protections.
  • Status: Introduced Feb 11, 2026; referred to House Finance. Hearing/scheduled for May 5, 2026.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to:
- Exempt certain assets from being counted as resources for general public assistance (GPA).
- Protect ABLE program accounts from creditor actions, except for death-related recovery by the state of residency.
- Clarify aspects of income and cooperation requirements for GPA recipients.

Overall, the changes are designed to broaden resource eligibility (by excluding certain assets) and strengthen ABLE account protections, while maintaining safeguards around income, employment, and eligibility timelines.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. General Public Assistance (GPA) Eligibility and Resources

  • Location: Section 40-6-3.1.
  • Eligibility framework remains for residents who are United States citizens or lawfully residing aliens; illegal/undocumented aliens remain ineligible.
  • Eligible recipients:
    • Adults 18+ without a dependent child who are totally incapacitated due to illness, injury, or medical condition expected to last at least 30 days. Disability must be verified by a medical practitioner or qualified substance abuse counselor within 45 days.
    • Application for GPA and Medicaid: Department must provide a Medicaid application and use a uniform medical form; GPA decision within 30 days after a complete application.
    • Initial GPA period for those eligible due to illness/injury is up to 6 months, renewable up to 6 more months (total 12 months). Reapplication required for extensions beyond 12 months.
  • Income and assets:
    • Assets/resources owned may disqualify GPA eligibility, but several exemptions apply:
    • Primary residence (home) occupied by the individual.
    • One motor vehicle with equity up to $4,650, or a vehicle necessary to transport a disabled family member (special equipment or type of vehicle).
    • Cash or liquid assets up to $400.
    • Tools of the trade with aggregate value up to $1,000, plus household furnishings and effects as regulated.
    • Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are exempted.
    • Income:
    • Income does not automatically disqualify GPA if income is within department-set limits.
    • Certain deeming rules related to alien sponsors or sponsor income are not applicable for GPA purposes.
    • Lump-sum income disqualifies GPA; department to promulgate rules on lump-sum income treatment.
  • Postsecondary education:
    • Full-time students beyond high school are generally ineligible for GPA unless they are active in vocational rehabilitation and certified as unemployable.
    • Part-time students beyond high school may be eligible if actively seeking employment and meet all other GPA requirements.
  • Cooperation with federal programs:
    • Applicants/recipients must apply for SSI and/or medical assistance within 30 days if potentially eligible.
  • Reporting:
    • Recipients must promptly report any increase in income or resources.

B. ABLE Program Creditor Protections

  • Location: Section 42-7.2-20.8.
  • ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts:
    • Funds in ABLE accounts are exempt from creditor process (not subject to attachment, garnishment, or similar actions) and cannot be seized to pay debts, with one notable exception.
    • The state of residency of the designated beneficiary is considered a creditor of the ABLE account upon the beneficiary’s death.
    • This means beneficiaries’ ABLE assets are protected during life, but the state may claim them after death.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • GPA Applicants/Recipients:
    • Individuals 18+ without dependents who are incapacitated.
    • Part-time and full-time students (with caveats) pursuing postsecondary education.
    • Households where assets and income meet the revised thresholds.
  • ABLE Account Holders and Beneficiaries:
    • Those with ABLE accounts in Rhode Island or with Rhode Island-residency designations.
  • State Agencies:
    • Rhode Island Department of Human Services (or its successor agency) responsible for GPA determinations, asset/income calculations, and cooperation with SSI/Medicaid programs.
  • Creditors:
    • Creditors seeking to collect from ABLE accounts (with the death-related exception retained for the state of residency).

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • GPA eligibility decisions for incapacitated adults: within 30 days of a complete application.
  • Incapacity determination: must be verified within 45 days of being found totally incapacitated.
  • Renewal/extension of GPA for illness-related eligibility:
    • Initial 6 months, renewable for up to 6 additional months (total 12 months).
    • Extensions beyond 12 months require reapplication.
  • Cooperation with SSI/Medicaid:
    • Applicants/recipients must apply for and cooperate in SSI/Medicaid determinations within 30 days of GPA application/notice.
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

5) Notable Details and Figures

  • Asset exemptions:
    • Home: exempt as long as occupied.
    • Vehicle: equity cap of $4,650 or a vehicle necessary for a disabled family member.
    • Cash/liquids: up to $400.
    • Tools of the trade: up to $1,000 (aggregate), plus furnishings as regulated.
    • IRAs: exempt.
  • ABLE protection exception:
    • Death of beneficiary triggers creditor claim by state of residency.

6) Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • For GPA recipients, the asset exemptions may broaden eligibility for some individuals who previously would not qualify due to resources.
  • The requirement to apply for SSI/Medicaid and to report income/resources aims to improve coordination with federal programs and ensure program integrity.
  • ABLE protections promote savings for beneficiaries while preserving a mechanism for the state to recover funds after the beneficiary's death.
  • The changes are designed to be enacted promptly, given the “effective upon passage” provision.

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

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