Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is pleased to release the 2016 Legislative Wrap-Up, which reports on selected laws and budget appropriations affecting children in the areas of early learning, education, economic well-being, health, and safety considered in the Rhode Island General Assembly's 2016 Legislative Session. 

Below is an overview of victories for Rhode Island children and families in the 2016 Legislative Session:

Early Learning & Development

• The Rhode Island Family Home Visiting Act passed. 
• Health insurance coverage parity for Early Intervention services is required. 
• $8.4 million in state and federal funding was added to increase access to the Child Care Assistance Program. 
• Child Care Transition Program (cliff effect policy) was extended by one year. 
• $1.2 million was added to expand the State Pre-K program through the education funding formula. 
• $2.6 million was allocated to ensure statewide universal access to full-day kindergarten starting in 2016.

Education

• Education funding through the funding formula (including Pre-K) was increased. 
• A new categorical fund was created in the education funding formula to support the education of students who are English language learners. 
• The use of out-of-school suspensions was restricted and districts are now required to review suspension data to identify and act on racial, ethnic, and special education disparities. 
• The Free Play Recess Act passed, which requires at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess daily for all children attending public elementary schools that serve children in grades kindergarten through six.

Economic Well-Being 

• The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was increased to 15% of the federal EITC. 
• The Henry Shelton Act utility arrearage assistance program was improved. 
• $50 million affordable housing bond was approved for ballot.

Safety

• The Child Fatality Reporting Act passed, which expands DCYF and the Office of the Child Advocate responsibilities for reporting and investigating child deaths. 
• The DCYF Foster Parents' Bill of Rights was passed, which outlines the rights that foster parents have to timely information, communication, and training about children in their care.

Health

• The Free Play Recess Act passed, which requires at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess daily for all children attending public elementary schools that serve children in grades kindergarten through six. 
• A broad package of bills aimed at addressing opioid abuse and overdoses was passed.

Are you interested in specific areas of child well-being? Rhode Island KIDS COUNT publishes E-Newsletters on specific areas related to child well-being: 

• Children's Health and Health Insurance 
• Child Welfare/Juvenile Justice 
• Early Childhood/Early Learning 
• Student-Centered Learning
• Rhode Island KIDS COUNT also publishes a general interest E-Newsletter. 

Please click here to start receiving these updates today!