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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

The bill increases Rhode Island Works child support pass-through to families: $50→$100 for one child and $100→$200 for more, with faster two-day disbursement.

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of HB 7690 (Rhode Island) — 2026 Session

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Rhode Island Works Program (a welfare-to-work initiative under the Department of Human Services) to modify the “child support pass-through” provision.

Specifically, it increases the cash pass-through amount that goes directly to families when noncustodial parents pay child support for children receiving cash assistance.

Key provisions and changes

Section amended: 40-5.2-35 (Child support pass-through) of the Rhode Island Works Program.

Pass-through amounts (as currently proposed):

For one child: increase from $50 to $100.
For more than one child: increase from $100 to $200.
If the noncustodial parent’s payment is less than the minimum pass-through thresholds, the actual payment amount is passed through, with the increased floor applicable up to the $100/$200 levels as described.

Payment mechanics:

The pass-through is the amount paid to the family from the child support collected by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for families receiving cash assistance.
If more than one noncustodial parent contributes to a family, there will be a single pass-through payment per the family:
The payment would be $50 (currently proposed in the text), $100, or $200 depending on the number of children and the total collected, with only one payment per family.
Timing:
The pass-through payment is to be sent to the family within two business days of determining the amount due and no later than two business days after the end of the month in which the support was collected.

Effective date: July 1, 2026.

Who is affected

Families receiving cash assistance under Rhode Island Works Program.

Noncustodial parents who pay child support to these families.

DHS, which administers the child support collections and pass-through distributions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action: Introduced February 11, 2026; referred to House Finance.

Scheduled hearing/consideration noted for May 14, 2026.

Enactment date: July 1, 2026, if enacted.

The bill includes standard legislative language indicating the change will become law on the stated effective date.

Practical impact and considerations

Financial impact for recipient families: The cash pass-through would increase substantially (from $50 to $100 for one child, and from $100 to $200 for multiple children), providing greater immediate support when child support is paid.

Administrative considerations for DHS: The agency would implement the higher pass-through amounts and ensure the two-business-day disbursement timeline is met.

Overall policy effect: This change enhances direct cash assistance to families with children in the Rhode Island Works program by leveraging current child support collections to boost household resources.