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HB 7319

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Casimiro and 8 co-sponsors

Extends and funds Rhode Island Works childcare to higher income groups and adds a protected, no-cost provision for educators/staff in licensed child care through 2028.

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7319

Overview

  • Bill: HB 7319
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM
  • Introduced: January 23, 2026
  • Referred to: House Finance
  • Key effect: Extends and modifies Rhode Island child care assistance under the Rhode Island Works Program, with specific income thresholds, funding provisions, and a special “protected population” for childcare educators/staff. Takes effect upon passage.

Main purpose and intent

  • To expand and refine the state’s childcare assistance program tied to the Rhode Island Works (RIW) program.
  • To ensure eligible participants receive appropriate childcare to meet work requirements.
  • To adjust income eligibility thresholds, cost-sharing (copay) rules, and a targeted funding provision for childcare educators and staff working in licensed centers/Homes.

Key provisions and changes

Childcare eligibility and scope (40-5.2-20)

  • The Department must provide appropriate childcare to:
    • Every participant eligible for cash assistance who requires childcare to meet work requirements.
    • Other working families with incomes up to 261% of the federal poverty level (FPL) if childcare is required to work.
    • Families below 261% FPL if needed to participate in short-term job-readiness/training programs sponsored by the governor’s workforce board or related state agencies.
  • Chronological refinements:
    • For 2021–2022, there was a temporary provision for up to 180% FPL for college enrollment with a $200,000 expenditure cap.
    • From July 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, 200% FPL for college enrollment.
    • From January 1, 2025 onward, 261% FPL for college enrollment.
  • “Appropriate childcare” defined to include infant, toddler, preschool, etc., provided by qualified/approved providers.

Cost-sharing and income calculations

  • In general:
    • Families below 100% FPL: free childcare.
    • Families above 100% up to 200% FPL: sliding-fee scale; family pays up to 7% of income (per subsection h).
  • If families lose RIW childcare eligibility due to income rising above 261% FPL:
    • They may remain eligible for childcare until income reaches 300% FPL, provided they still pay a portion of childcare costs (sliding-fee up to 7% of income) and meet other standards.
  • Income definition:
    • For cash assistance families: gross earned and unearned income with certain exclusions.
    • For other families: gross earned and unearned income per departmental regulations.

Eligibility determinants and program features

  • Department must consider cost, suitability for the child, and parental preference when determining the type of childcare.
  • Liquid resources limit:
    • No family/assistance unit may have liquid resources exceeding $1,000,000. Liquid resources include cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. Certain accounts (educational savings, retirement accounts) are excluded.
  • Paternity and child support cooperation:
    • Parent/caretaker must cooperate with paternity establishment and child/medical support orders, unless good cause is shown.
  • Residency of types of care and funding sources matched to approved providers.

Special provision for childcare educators and staff (Section 1, k)

  • Effective August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2028, the department must provide funding for childcare for eligible educators/staff who work at least 20 hours per week in licensed centers or homes.
  • Eligibility: families with incomes up to 300% of the FPL; defined as a “protected population” under the federal Child Care Development Funds criteria.
  • No copayments for eligible participants in this protected category.
  • Participants can choose their childcare setting, subject to department regulations.
  • Department must promulgate regulations and collect data to estimate demand for state-funded childcare for these educators/staff, with an annual report due to the governor and General Assembly by November 1.

Affected parties

  • RIW participants and their families who need childcare to meet work requirements.
  • Working families up to 261% FPL (and certain lower-income groups for training/programs) needing childcare to work.
  • Families with college enrollment or courses in state-supported higher education connected to continued childcare eligibility (with the evolving thresholds noted above).
  • Childcare educators and staff working 20+ hours/week in licensed centers or homes (as a protected population; receives state-funding support without copays through 2028).
  • Childcare providers and centers (through eligibility rules, copay structures, and funding flows).
  • The Rhode Island Department of Human Services and related agencies implementing rules and reporting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act “shall take effect upon passage.”
  • Funding and rules:
    • The bill directs the department to promulgate necessary regulations to implement the new provisions.
    • Requires reporting for the protected population: annual report due November 1 to the governor and General Assembly.
  • Sunset elimination:
    • The explanatory text indicates an intent to eliminate the sunset on funding for childcare educators (i.e., make permanent beyond prior sunset period, though the bill text states a funding window through July 31, 2028 for the protected population).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Financial: Shifts in eligibility thresholds and expansion of free or reduced-cost childcare, expanding access for more families and for higher-income thresholds among those pursuing work or education.
  • Workforce: Targeted support for childcare educators and staff may help stabilize childcare workforce and affordability for families relying on these services.
  • Administrative: New/further regulations, data collection, and reporting requirements; adjustments to the sliding-scale copay schedule and liquidity/resource tests.
  • Access equity: Emphasis on low-income families and a dedicated provision for state-funded support for essential childcare workers.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a simple FAQ-style explainer for readers.

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

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