2026 -- H 7462

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LC004488

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

COPAYMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Kazarian, Shallcross Smith, Donovan, Cruz,
Giraldo, Slater, Tanzi, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Findings of fact.

     The general assembly hereby finds as follows:

     (1) Access to affordable, high-quality child care is essential to the economic stability of

Rhode Island’s working families and the health and development of young children.

     (2) The federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (“CCDBG”) requires states

to establish sliding fee scales for family copayments that account for family income and size and

that ensure copayments are affordable and not a barrier to accessing care.

     (3) Federal regulations finalized in 2024 prohibit family copayments in excess of seven

percent (7%) of family income and encourage states to eliminate or significantly reduce

copayments for families with low incomes, particularly those under one hundred fifty percent

(150%) of the federal poverty level.

     (4) Rhode Island law currently requires a sliding fee scale for child care assistance and,

pursuant to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) final rule, caps family copayments are

capped at seven percent (7%) of family income.

     (5) Data from December 2024 demonstrate that a majority of families receiving assistance

under the Child Care Assistance Program are not charged a copayment, and that modest statutory

changes could further reduce financial barriers while maintaining program sustainability.

     (6) It is therefore the intent of the General Assembly to codify an affordable sliding fee

scale in statute, expand eligibility for zero copayments, and reduce copayment amounts for working

families, consistent with federal law and best practices.

     SECTION 2. Title 40 of the General Laws entitled "HUMAN SERVICES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 6.7

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COPAYMENTS

     40-6.7-1. Child care assistance program -- Family copayments.

     (a) The department of human services ("DHS"), as the lead agency for the child care

assistance program ("CCAP"), shall establish and administer family copayments pursuant to a

sliding fee scale set forth in this section.

     (b) Family copayments under the CCAP shall:

     (1) Be based on family income and family size;

     (2) Not be based on the cost of care or the amount of subsidy payment;

     (3) Be affordable and not constitute a barrier to participation; and

     (4) Not exceed seven percent (7%) of a family's annual income, regardless of the number

of children in care.

     (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, family copayments shall

be assessed according to the following sliding fee scale, expressed as a percentage of annual family

income:

     Table 1: Child Care Assistance Program Family Copayment Schedule

     Income Level as % of Copayment as %

     Federal Poverty Level (“FPL”) of Family Income

     At or below 125% FPL 0%

     Above 125% FPL and at or below 150% FPL 2%

     Above 150% FPL and at or below 200% FPL 4%

     Above 200% FPL and at or below 300% FPL 6%

     (d) DHS may waive family copayments, in whole or in part, for families who meet one or

more of the following criteria, consistent with federal law and regulations:

     (1) Families with children in foster care or kinship care, or otherwise receiving or in need

of protective services;

     (2) Families experiencing homelessness;

     (3) Families with children who have a disability, as defined by federal regulation;

     (4) Families enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs; or

     (5) Any other category authorized under federal Child Care and Development Fund rules.

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     (e) DHS is authorized to establish by regulation additional categories of copayments for

families with incomes above three hundred percent (300%) of the federal poverty level; provided

that, no copayment exceeds the cap set forth in subsection (b)(4) of this section.

     (f) DHS shall periodically review the sliding fee scale to ensure compliance with federal

requirements and the affordability of child care for Rhode Island families, and shall report any

recommended statutory changes to the general assembly.

     40-6.7-2. Severability.

     If any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, such invalidity shall not

affect the other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the

invalid provision or application.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

COPAYMENTS

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     This act would codify child care copayments in law, expand zero copays to families under

125% FPL, lower costs for working families, and cap most copayments at 6% while preserving a

7% statutory maximum.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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