WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2606

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES -- THE POWERS AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon

DCYF would lead a comprehensive, integrated statewide system of child-centered behavioral health and related services, coordinating across agencies to keep kids near home and ensur

05/07/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2606

Summary of bill: SB 2606 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES — THE POWERS AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

Introduced by: Senator Jacob Bissaillon (Date: February 13, 2026)

Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary; scheduled for hearing consideration (Action History shows activity in May 2026)

Effective date: Take effect upon passage

1) Purpose and intent

  • Expand and clarify the powers and scope of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).
  • Place a stronger emphasis on providing a comprehensive, integrated system of behavioral health services for children, including those in DCYF care, children with serious emotional disturbances, and children with developmental or functional disabilities.
  • Establish a child-centered, family-driven system of care that is coordinated across multiple state agencies and is aligned with Medicaid/EPSDT requirements.
  • Improve governance, staffing, training, and hiring processes to support these expanded responsibilities.

2) Key provisions and changes

A. Expanded scope of services and system of care (Section 42-72-5(a) and (b))

  • DCYF becomes the principal state agency to mobilize resources and oversee a statewide program of services designed to help children reach their full potential.
  • Responsibilities include prevention, early intervention, outreach, placement, care, treatment, and after-care, with a focus on:
    • Child welfare
    • Children’s behavioral health
    • Children with disabilities
    • Youth development/juvenile justice
  • DCYF must implement a comprehensive, integrated home- and community-based continuum of care tailored to developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs.
  • The system must be:
    • Child-centered and family-driven
    • Accessible, coordinated, and culturally responsive
    • Delivered in the least restrictive settings
    • Coordinated across health, education, juvenile justice, and family supports
  • DCYF must advocate for children and implement the hiring process developed by the director (referenced as a baseline requirement).

B. Governance and administrative authority (Section 42-72-5(b))

  • The director can:
    • Establish divisions and assign staff tasks as needed
    • Create plans and facilities for emergency treatment, relocation, and custody of abused/neglected children (e.g., foster care programs, crisis teams, group homes)
    • Establish, monitor, and evaluate protective services (including purchasing services from private providers) and standardize procedures
    • Plan treatment programs, evaluate services, and conduct needs assessments
    • License and monitor residential/nonresidential group homes, foster homes, and related programs
    • Recruit and coordinate community resources (public and private)
    • Develop rules on confidentiality, disclosure, and expungement of case records
    • Ensure minimum staff training (at least 20 hours per year)
    • Establish reporting procedures for suspected child abuse/neglect
    • promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Act
    • Serve as a data/clearinghouse for information on children
    • Seek, accept, and coordinate federal aid and grants
    • Coordinate activities with other state/local agencies
    • Administer pilot juvenile-restitution programs and related payments

C. Special populations and funding (Sections 42-72-5(b)(24)-(29) and related subsections)

  • Special consideration for:
    • Seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) children
    • Children with functional developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorders)
  • Defines key terms:
    • “Seriously emotionally disturbed child” and “functional developmental disability” with criteria for eligibility and age (under 18, or up to 21 for continued services if receiving DCYF services prior to 18)
  • Financial and funding adjustments:
    • Funding for transition to services after age 18-21 related to SED or developmental disabilities
    • Transfers of funding to the Department of Human Services for certain client funding (but with separate accounting for those expenditures)
  • Transition planning:
    • Requires transition planning for youths who may move to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) after age 21
    • Transition plans must be collaborative and court-approved before the child’s 21st birthday
  • Comprehensive continuum of care:
    • Emphasis on keeping children safely within families or near home
    • Includes prevention, family support, crisis intervention, foster care, and residential services
    • Specifically mentions services for SED and FD disabilities and coordination with private providers
  • Education and school integration:
    • DCYF shall participate in providing or funding education for children in state-operated or state-supported residences
    • Coordinate with public schools and the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education as needed

D. Behavioral health service delivery and Medicaid alignment (Section 42-72-5(b)(25)-(26))

  • DCYF maintains authority to manage and oversee children's behavioral health services.
  • Establishes governance to coordinate with:
    • Department of Health
    • Department of Human Services
    • BHDDH
    • Executive Office of Health and Human Services
    • Department of Education
  • Aligns with EPSDT requirements through ongoing collaboration with the state Medicaid agency.
  • Requires the development of a robust, community-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent system of care.

E. Administrative/hiring reform (Section 42-72-5(f)-(g))

  • By October 1, 2023, the director must establish a hiring process for DCYF social caseworkers and child protective investigators.
  • The process includes:
    • Screening, civil service exams, in-person interviews
    • Clear criteria for eligibility and scoring
    • Requirements for diverse interview panels
    • Scheduling considerations and timelines
  • Interim reporting due by March 15, 2024, to update legislative leaders on:
    • Number of hires under the new process
    • Vacancies and resignations
    • Barriers to hiring

3) Affected parties and impacts

  • Primary: Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
    • Expanded mandate to oversee comprehensive child behavioral health services and continuum of care
    • Increased regulatory and administrative responsibilities (licensing, data management, interagency coordination)
    • New or strengthened transition planning for youths aging out of DCYF services
  • Other state agencies:
    • Department of Health
    • Department of Human Services
    • BHDDH (Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals)
    • Department of Education
    • Medicaid agency
  • Associated stakeholders:
    • Private providers offering child welfare and behavioral health services
    • Families and children served by DCYF
    • Local communities and school districts

4) Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date: Upon passage.
  • Hiring process development:
    • DCYF must establish the hiring process for social caseworkers and child protective investigators by October 1, 2023.
    • Process includes exams, interviews, and scoring; interim reporting due by March 15, 2024.
  • Transition planning:
    • Requires collaborative transition plans 12 months before a youth’s 21st birthday for cases potentially transitioning to BHDDH, with court approval prior to dismissal of related petitions.
  • Ongoing accountability:
    • DCYF must report annually to the General Assembly on progress toward creating the continuum of care (as outlined in subsection 42-72-5(b)(27)-(28)).

5) Summary assessment

SB 2606 seeks to significantly broaden DCYF’s authority to design, fund, and oversee a comprehensive, integrated system of behavioral health and related services for children, including those with serious emotional disturbances and developmental disabilities. It emphasizes family-centered care, cross-agency coordination (across health, education, juvenile justice, and social services), and alignment with Medicaid/EPSDT requirements. It also introduces structured hiring reform for DCYF staff and mandates reporting to the legislature on implementation progress. The bill prioritizes a continuum of care that aims to keep children in or near home, with enhanced protections, early intervention, and robust transition planning for youths aging out of DCYF services.

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

Sign in to ask a question.