Throughout the legislative session, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT tracks the budget and other bills being considered by the Rhode Island General Assembly and presents policy information and data-based testimony to General Assembly committees. The Rhode Island General Assembly meets from January to July. During the legislative session additional bills are added on a rolling basis.
Relevant e-news:
- RI’s State of the State, proposed budget, and legislative updates (January 2026)
- Family Home Visiting Brief + 2026 RI Legislative Session (January 2026)
- Our 2026 Budgetary & Legislative Priorities (December 2025)
Budget Priorities, Budget Analysis
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT monitors, analyzes, and comments on budget proposals and appropriations relating to children, youth, and families.
- Please see our 2026 Budgetary & Legislative Priorities.
The budget is a statement of our state’s priorities, values, and commitments — and lays the foundation for our future. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT prepares annual analyses of the Governor’s Proposed State Budget, which identifies budget items that will affect the well-being of Rhode Island’s children, youth, and families.
- Please see the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Budget Analysis: Governor’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Proposal Items Affecting Children, Youth, and Families.
Please explore our website for information on important legislation and upcoming hearings and to read our public testimony on behalf of Rhode Island’s children, youth, and families.
Testimony
2026 TESTIMONY
RI KIDS COUNT PRIORITIES
- Governor’s FY 2027, FY 2026 Revised and Capital Budgets— Department of Children, Youth and Families and Office of the Child Advocate – March 11, 2026
- H-7127, RI Department of Health FY27 Budget – Family Home Visiting – March 24, 2026
- H-7127, Department of Health Budget for FY27, PediPRN program – March 24, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5 Refundable State Child Tax Credit – March 3, 2026
- H-7127 Article 5 Millionaire’s Tax – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5, Section 5 – Child Tax Credit – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5, Section 6 – Millionaire’s Tax – March 3, 2026
- H-7689 – The Rhode Island Works Program House – March 04, 2026
- H-7968, Temporary Caregivers Insurance – Paid Family Leave – March 5, 2026
- S-2940 Relating to Courts and Civil Procedure – Family Court – March 10, 2026
- S-2379 Insurance Coverage and Vaccine Recommendations – February 26, 2026
Budget
- H-7127, Article 5 Refundable State Child Tax Credit – March 3, 2026
- H-7127 Article 5 Millionaire’s Tax – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5, Section 5 – Child Tax Credit – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5, Section 6 – Millionaire’s Tax – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Budget Article 5, Section 4, regarding the Tobacco Program – February 4, 2026
- H-7127, Budget Article 5, Section 4 regarding the Tobacco Program – March 24, 2026
- H-7127, Article 5 Refundable State Child Tax Credit – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 6: Capital Development Program, Question 2, Housing and Homeownership – February 10, 2026
- H-7127, Article 6: Capital Development Program, Question 2, Housing and Homeownership – March 3, 2026
- H-7127, Article 7 Relating to Education – February 5, 2026
- H-7127, Article 7 Relating to Education – Sections 4 and 5 – Hope Scholarship – February 11, 2026
- H-7127, Article 8, Governor’s Budget – March 4, 2026
- H-7127, Article 10, Sections 1 and 2, Governor’s Budget – March 4, 2026
- H-7127, Article 11, Section 14, Governor’s Budget – March 4, 2026
- H-7127, RI Department of Health FY27 Budget – Family Home Visiting – March 24, 2026
- H-7127, Department of Health Budget for FY27, PediPRN program – March 24, 2026
Child Welfare
Early Learning
- H-7371 Zoning Ordinances for Licensed Family Child Care – February 11, 2026
- H-7428 Certification of Child Care and Youth-Serving Workers and Operators – February 10, 2026
- H-7905 – Department of Human Services – Quality of School-Age Child Care
- – March 17, 2026
- H-7908 – Department of Human Services – BrightStars QRIS Methodology –
- March 17, 2026
- H-8093 Abused and Neglected Children – March 12, 2026
- S-2173 – Certification of Child Care and Youth-Serving Workers and Operators – March 4, 2026
- S-2883, MRSS DCYF Licensing – March 24, 2026
- S-3024 – Department of Human Services Child Care Licensing Inspectors – March 12, 2026
Economic Well-Being
- Generate State Revenue for Child Care, Food, and Healthcare Fact Sheet
- H-7689 – The Rhode Island Works Program – March 04, 2026
- H-7769 Re: Minimum Wages – March 18, 2026
- H-7770 Re: Minimum Wages – March 18, 2026
- H-7771 Re: Minimum Wages – March 18, 2026
- H-7968, Temporary Caregivers Insurance – Paid Family Leave – March 5, 2026
Education
- H-7091 – AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS – March 10, 2026
- H-7127, Article 7 Relating to Education – Sections 4 and 5 – Hope Scholarship – March 12, 2026
- H-7415 — Relating to Education — Establishment of Charter Public Schools
- – March 10, 2026
- H-7417 An Act Relating to Education – The Save Rhode Island School Libraries Act – March 10, 2026
- H7453 — Amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution — Right to An Adequate Education – March 19, 2026
- H-7526 – Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils — Student and Teacher Classroom Safety – March 17, 2026
- H-7731- Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils – March 17, 2026
- H-8129 Relating to Education – Federal Aid – Transaction Fees on School Meals – March 24, 2026
- H-7898 – Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils – March 17, 2026
Health and Dental
- H-7275- Insurance Coverage of Certified Professional Midwives’ Services – February 3, 2026
- H-7277- Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Licensed Certified Lactation Counselor Services for Childbearing Families – February 3, 2026
- H-7559 and H-7560, Lead rental registry modification – March 18, 2026
- H-7625 Insurance Coverage and Vaccine Recommendations – March 3, 2026
- H-8129 Relating to Education – Federal Aid – Transaction Fees on School Meals – March 24, 2026
- H-7949 DCYF MRSS – March 12, 2026
- S-2379 Insurance Coverage and Vaccine Recommendations – February 26, 2026
- S-2844, Vape Shops – March 24, 2026
- S-2860 Tobacco Control Program – March 10, 2026
- S-2883, MRSS DCYF Licensing – March 24, 2026
Housing & Homelessness
- H-7689 – The Rhode Island Works Program House – March 04, 2026
Youth Justice
- H-7198 Relating to Criminal Offenses – General Provisions – Misdemeanors – March 4, 2026
- H-7546 – An Act Relating to Criminal Procedure — Arrest – March 24, 2026
- H-7898 – Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils – March 17, 2026
- H-8117, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government– Corrections Department – March 24, 2026
- S-2162, An Act Relating to Criminal Procedure -Sentence and Execution – March 10, 2026
- S-2940 Relating to Courts and Civil Procedure – Family Court – March 10, 2026
Safety
- H-7731- Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils – March 17, 2026
- H-7898 – Relating to Education — Health and Safety of Pupils – March 17, 2026
Other
- H-7236 Regarding Equity Impact Statement Act – January 27, 2026
- H-7303 – PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – Same Day Voter Registration – March 19, 2026
- S-2132 – PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – Same Day Voter Registration – February 26, 2026
2025 Testimony
RI KIDS COUNT PRIORITIES
H5076, Rhode Island Department of Education FY26 Budget – Mar 18 2025
H5164, Rhode Island Early Childhood IDEA Task Force – Feb 26 2025
H5196, Child Care for Child Care Educators & EI Staff (RI Works) – May 22 2025
H5197, Removing Child Support Enforcement from the Child Care Assistance Program (RI Works) – May 22 2025
H5281, Child Care is Essential – May 22 2025
H5298, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5473 An Act Relating to Taxation – Revenue for Rhode Island – May 6 2025
H5497, Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Hub – Mar 18 2025
HR5515 – THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – Mar 17 2025
H5650 Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5742 – Healthy School Meals for All – Apr 29 2025
H6066 – Temporary Disability and Temporary Caregivers Insurance – Apr 9 2025
HB6071 – RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST – Apr 24 2025
H6072, Personal Income Tax – Refundable Child Tax Credit – Apr 24 2025
H6073, Family Home Visiting – April 24, 2025
S0062, Removing Child Support Enforcement from the Child Care Assistance Program (RI Works) – Mar 11 2025
S100, Child Care for Child Care Educators & EI Staff (RI Works) – Apr 10 2025
S0148, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Mar 11 2025
S0231, Rhode Island Early Childhood IDEA Task Force – Mar 5 2025
S0240, Child Care is Essential – Mar 26 2025
S0244, Personal Income Tax – Raising the RI Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – May 6 2025
S0329 An Act Relating to Taxation – Revenue for Rhode Island – May 29 2025
S344 – Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Hub – Mar 27 2025
S0394 Relating to Education – Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act – Mar 5 2025
S430 – Healthy School Meals for All – May 27 2025
S0577 Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Mar 11 2025
S0667 – Sustaining $1.1 Million for Infants and Toddlers in RIDE Early Childhood Categorical – May 27 2025
S673 – Early Educator Workforce Act – Apr 10 2025
S774, Council Teacher and Youth Voting Powers -Mar 26 2025
S805 Regarding Equity Impact Statement Act – May 27 2025
BUDGET
H-5076, Article 3, Section 23 and 24 – Related to
Government Reform and Reorganization (RI Integrated Data System Act) – Feb 11 2025
H5076, Article 5, Section 8: Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic-Delivery System Products – Feb 26 2025
5076, Budget Article 5, Sections 4, 7, and 10 Regarding Funding to Support Housing and Homelessness Initiatives – Mar 4 2025
H5076, Article 8, Section 8, Primary Care Rate Review – Feb 27 2025
H5076, Article 8, Section 8, primary care in the OHIC biennial rate review – Mar 5 2025
Article 10, Section 3 & SB761 – RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST –
Mar 13 2025
Article 10 Section 3 – RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST –
Mar 4 2025
Governor’s FY 2026, FY 2025 Revised and Capital Budgets— Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Mar 18 2025
H-5076, RI Department of Health FY26 Budget – Family Home Visiting – Mar 27 2025
H5076, Article 3, Section 23 and 24 Related to
Government Reform and Reorganization (RI Integrated Data System Act) – Mar 25 2025
Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner: FY2025 Supplemental and FY2026 Budgets – Mar 25 2025
CHILD WELFARE
H6064 – An Act Relating to Motor And Other Vehicles — State Identification Cards For Minors Without Residence Act – Apr 1 2025
S0728 An Act Relating to Domestic Relations – Adoption Of Children – Mar 11 2025
EARLY LEARNING
H5076, Rhode Island Department of Education FY26 Budget – Mar 18 2025
H5164, Rhode Island Early Childhood IDEA Task Force – Feb 26 2025
H5462, Rhode Island Early Intervention Extension – Apr 24 2025
H5473 An Act Relating to Taxation – Revenue for Rhode Island – May 6 2025
H5497, Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Hub – Mar 18 2025
H5596 – RI Prekindergarten Education Act, Pre-K Seat Finder
– Mar 25 2025
H5850 – Commercial Insurance Coverage for KIDS CONNECT program – Mar 18 2025
H5993 – Certification of Child Care and Youth-Serving Workers and Operators – Apr 24 2025
H6066 – Temporary Disability and Temporary Caregivers Insurance – Apr 9 2025
H6073, Family Home Visiting – April 24, 2025
S0062 – Removing Child Support Enforcement from the Child Care Assistance Program (RI Works) – Mar 11 2025
S100, Child Care for Child Care Educators & EI Staff (RI Works) – Apr 10 2025
S0154 – Certification of Child Care and Youth-Serving Workers and Operators – Mar 11 2025
S0240 – Child Care is Essential – Mar 26 2025
S0247 – Rhode Island Early Intervention Extension – Mar 5 2025
S0231, Rhode Island Early Childhood IDEA Task Force – Mar 5 2025
S0394 – Relating to Education – Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act – Mar 5 2025
S344 – Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Hub – Mar 27 2025
S0667 – Sustaining $1.1 Million for Infants and Toddlers in RIDE Early Childhood Categorical – May 27 2025
S673 – Early Educator Workforce Act – Apr 10 2025
S702 – Commercial Insurance Coverage for KIDS CONNECT program – Apr 8 2025
S-0802 – Authorizing Child Care Assistance for protected populations – May 27 2025
S0971 – RI Prekindergarten Education Act, Pre-K Seat Finder – May 7 2025
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
H5029 Re: Minimum Wages – Mar 5 2025
H5042-Relating to Financial Institutions-Payday Lending – Mar 13 2025
H5196, Child Care for Child Care Educators & EI Staff (RI Works) – May 22 2025
H5197, Removing Child Support Enforcement from the Child Care Assistance Program (RI Works) – May 22 2025
H5281, Child Care is Essential – May 22 2025
H5760, Personal Income Tax – Raising the RI Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – May 6 2025
HB6071 – RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST – Apr 24 2025
H6072, Personal Income Tax – Refundable Child Tax Credit – Apr 24 2025
S0125 Re: Minimum Wages – Mar 5 2025
S0244, Personal Income Tax – Raising the RI Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – May 6 2025
S658 – The Rhode Island Works Program – Apr 10 2025
S702 – Commercial Insurance Coverage for KIDS CONNECT program – Apr 8 2025
Article 10, Section 3 & SB761 – RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST –
Mar 13 2025
EDUCATION
H5262 An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Threats And Extortion – Feb 4 2025
H5382 – AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS – Mar 17 2025
HR5459 — Amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution — Right to An Adequate Education – Apr 3 2025
H5726 An Act Relating to Libraries — The Freedom to Read Act
– Apr 3 2025
H5742 – Healthy School Meals for All – Apr 29 2025
H5745-An Act Relating To Education — Council On Postsecondary Education — Student Success Act – May 1 2025
H5976 Related to Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time – Apr 29 2025
H5978 Relating to the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act – Apr 29 2025
H6045 – AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION: THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT – Social Workers in Schools – Apr 29 2025
HR6156, Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study Educational Outcomes for Children in State Care – Apr 22 2025
Senate Joint Resolution 177 — Amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution — Right to An Adequate Education – Mar 19 2025
SB0022-An Act Relating To Education – Council On Postsecondary Education — Student Success Act – May 7 2025
S190 Relating to the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act – May 27 2025
S430 – Healthy School Meals for All – May 27 2025
S774, Council Teacher and Youth Voting Powers -Mar 26 2025
HEALTH AND DENTAL
H5721, 5906, 5917, and 5918 – Lead Poisoning – Mar 18 2025
H5329 – An Act Relating to Taxation – Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Tax – Feb 25 2025
H5375, lead service line replacement – Apr 22 2025
H5849 – The Rhode Island Equity Zone Act – Mar 27 2025
H5858-Scope of Certified Professional Midwives’ Authority Relating to Prescribing Medication to Patients – Mar 13 2025
H6118- Acute Mental Health Mobile Response and Stabilization Services – Apr 10 2025
H6119 and 5255 – The Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act of 2004 – Health Insurance Oversight – Apr 1 2025
H6368 – Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies – June 3 2025
S0055- The Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act of 2004- Health Insurance Oversight – Mar 18 2025
S220-The Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act – Mar 18 2025
S263- Acute Mental Health Mobile Response and Stabilization Services – Apr 10 2025
S344 – Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Hub – Mar 27 2025
S478- Scope of Certified Professional Midwives’ Authority Relating to Prescribing Medication to Patients – Apr 10 2025
S479- Insurance Coverage of Certified Professional Midwives’ Services – Apr 10, 2025
S0492, Lead service line replacement – Mar 27 2025
S490, S491, S493, and S718, Lead rental registry – Mar 27 2025
S543, An Act Relating to Taxation – Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Tax – Apr 1 2025
S702 – Commercial Insurance Coverage for KIDS CONNECT program – Apr 8 2025
S707 – The Individual Marketplace Affordability Act –
Mar 11 2025
HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS
H5503, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act – Just Cause Evictions – Mar 18 2025
H5674, The Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act – Mar 18 2025
S202, Purchase of multi-family properties – Apr 3 2025
S212 Re: Residential Landlord and Tenant Act – Just Cause Evictions – May 6 2025
S274 – Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act – Apr 3 2025
YOUTH JUSTICE
H-5071 An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Threats And Extortion – Feb 4 2025
H5260 and House Bill 5345, Relating to Delinquent And Dependent Children — Proceedings In Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5262 An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Threats And Extortion – Feb 4 2025
H5298, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5648, An Act Relating to Criminal Procedure -Sentence and Execution – Apr 1 2025
H5650 Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5298, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
H5922, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Apr 1 2025
S63 Relating to Criminal Offenses — Misdemeanors – Feb 11 2025
S0148, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Mar 11 2025
S0577 Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Mar 11 2025
S0736, An Act Relating to Delinquent and Dependent Children – Proceedings in Family Court – Mar 11 2025
S821 An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Threats And Extortion
– Apr 8 2025
SAFETY
H5436, An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act Of 2025 – Mar 26 2025
OTHER
HR5515 – THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – Mar 17 2025
H5502 Relating to Criminal Offenses — Misdemeanors
– Apr 1 2025
S0820 – Same Day Voter Registration– Mar 20 2025
Legislative Fact Sheets
Current Legislation
Public Comments
2025
Comments in Support of Proposed Changes to the Child Care Assistance Program Regulations (218-RICR-20-00-4) – June 27, 2025
Comments on OHIC’s proposed Medicaid rates for Family Home Visiting programs – July 10, 2025
Proposed reinterpretation of Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 – August 13, 2025
RIDE Multilingual Learner Regulations – January 14, 2025
Comments Regarding Proposed Revisions to Teacher Certification Regulations – February 21, 2025
2024
Comments on Proposed Family Child Care Licensing Regulations – May 2024
Testimony on the Child Care and Development Fund Plan for RI FFY 2025 – FFY2027 – May 2024
Comments on Proposed Child Care Assistance Program Regulations – May 2024
RIAEYC and RIKC Response to ROI re Public Service Loan Forgiveness for Early Educators – 2024
2023
Comments on Child Care Development Fund, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – August 2023
2022
Public Comment, Medicaid State Plan and 1115 Waiver Extension – November 1, 2022
Public Comment Re: Proposed Revisions to the Secondary Regulations (200-RICR-20-10-2) and Proposed FY2024 Budget Council on Elementary and Secondary Education – October 3, 2022
Comments Re: Rules and Regulations Establishing Vote-By-Mail Ballot Drop Boxes – August 11, 2022
Comments Regarding Proposed Child Care Center and School-Age Program Regulations for Licensure – August 11, 2022
Comment Regarding Proposed Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations – January 5, 2022
Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2025 Legislative Wrap-Up highlights legislative victories for children and summarizes selected laws and budget appropriations in the areas of economic well-being, early learning and development, education, health, and safety that were considered during the 2025 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
We hope this is a helpful resource as you continue your work on behalf of Rhode Island’s children and families.