Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is pleased to share our 2021 Legislative Wrap-Up! This 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 2021 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.
Please see the full Legislative Wrap-Up for a detailed summary of legislation and budget items affecting children and families. Below is an overview of victories for Rhode Island children and families in the 2021 Legislative Session:
Economic Well-Being
- Improvements to the Rhode Island Works program, including the first benefit increase in 30 years.
- Discrimination in housing based on a person’s lawful source of income is prohibited.
- A permanent funding stream for affordable housing established for the first time.
- The minimum wage will increase gradually from $11.50 to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025.
Early Learning & Development
- Family copayments for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) were lowered and capped at 7% of family income.
- Pandemic rate increases for CCAP were continued through December 31, 2021.
- New rates for CCAP effective January 1, 2022 provide additional increases for some age and quality categories.
- Medicaid funding was increased for family home visiting programs and prenatal visits were authorized for the First Connections program.
- Additional weeks were added to the Rhode Island paid family leave program (Temporary Caregivers Insurance) so that eligible parents who take the leave will have additional time at home with new babies and children.
Education
- The RI Promise Scholarship Program was made permanent.
- Regulations that allow undocumented students to pay the same tuition and fees as Rhode Island residents at the state’s public higher education institutions was put into law.
- The eleventh year of the education funding formula was fully funded.
Health
- Doula services are now eligible for reimbursement through both Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
- Access to telemedicine was expanded.
- Public schools are now required to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost.
Safety
- Legislation passed requiring school districts to report on the academic achievement of foster care youth.
- Legislation passed that bans individuals with permits to carry concealed pistols or revolvers from carrying them on school grounds and that prohibits straw purchases of firearms.
- Funding budgeted to develop psychiatric treatment facilities for girls with complex behavioral treatment needs currently being treated out-of-state, in a hospital, or at the Training School.
