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HB 5452

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

HB 5452 designates DCYF as the chief state agency for all children's behavioral health, with contracting authority, while preserving DHS collaboration on a service continuum.

03/06/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5452

Summary — HB 5452 (2025)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
Introduced: Feb 12, 2025 (Rep. Casimiro et al.)
Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (03/06/2025). Effective upon passage.

Purpose / Intent

HB 5452 establishes, as public policy, that the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is the chief state agency responsible for all matters related to children’s behavioral health. The bill clarifies agency responsibility for oversight and contracting related to children’s behavioral health services.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new subsection to Rhode Island General Laws § 42-72-5.2 stating it is public policy that DCYF be the chief state agency for children’s behavioral health.
  • Specifies that DCYF’s authority includes contracting “with whatever agencies are necessary to provide and implement these services.”
  • Leaves intact the existing subsection language requiring DCYF and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to cooperate on developing a continuum of children’s behavioral health services (including efforts to manage psychiatric hospitalizations, hospital diversion, post-discharge services, crisis intervention, and the use of RIte Care arrangements or RFPs for Medicaid-eligible children not in RIte Care).
  • Effective date: upon passage.

Who would be affected

  • DCYF: Elevated as the lead state agency for children’s behavioral health policy, oversight and contracting authority.
  • DHS and Medicaid programs (including RIte Care): May see a redefinition of roles in management, contracting, and program oversight for children’s behavioral health services.
  • Behavioral health providers, managed care organizations, hospitals, and community agencies: Potential changes in contracting counterparties, referral/authorization processes, and oversight relationships.
  • Children and families served by behavioral health programs: Potential administrative or program-management changes affecting access, coordination, and service delivery.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill is primarily declarative—it assigns lead-agency responsibility but does not itself create specific funding changes, operational details, or timelines for transition.
  • Implementation could require interagency agreements, contract renegotiations or RFPs, and possible reallocation of administrative responsibilities between DCYF and DHS.
  • Because the bill retains existing statutory language about developing a continuum of care and managing hospitalizations, practical changes will depend on subsequent administrative actions and funding choices.

Procedural status / next steps

  • Introduced Feb 12, 2025; referred to House State Government & Elections and later to Human Services.
  • Committee recommended holding the measure for further study on 03/06/2025 (no committee enactment to date).
  • If revived, the bill could be amended, advanced to a floor vote, or re-referred depending on committee action.

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

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