2026 -- H 7501

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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 EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, Slater, Bennett, Azzinaro, and
DeSimone

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Findings of Fact and Purpose.

     The purpose of this chapter is to support the mental health and emotional well-being of

children and youth through investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, recognizing OST

programs as essential, community-based spaces that provide connection, stability, and resilience

during a period of heightened need and reduced public supports.

     Rhode Island continues to experience significant mental health challenges among children

and adolescents that affect well-being, school engagement, family stability, and long-term

outcomes. In April 2022, leading pediatric and behavioral health organizations in the state declared

a Rhode Island State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. These challenges have

been compounded by reductions in federal funding for schools and student support services,

increasing pressure on local and community-based systems to meet growing needs with fewer

resources.

     Out-of-school time programs offer trusted, relationship-based environments where youth

spend substantial time outside of the school day. These programs are embedded within the

communities they serve and frequently employ staff, mentors, and leaders who reflect the lived

experiences, cultures, and strengths of local families. Through intentional program design, OST

programs function as intergenerational systems of support that foster belonging, strengthen

protective factors, and support prevention, early identification of need, and connection to

appropriate supports.

     Investments made pursuant to this chapter strengthen the capacity of existing OST

programs to serve as stabilizing and supportive spaces for youth, mitigate the impacts of reduced

school-day and federally funded supports, and reinforce community-based systems that are built

by and for the communities they serve.

     SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 117

BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

     16-117-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School

Time".

     16-117-2. Eligibility and allowable use.

     (a) Funds appropriated under this chapter shall support evidence-informed initiatives that

promote the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through community-

based or school-affiliated out-of-school time (“OST”) programs serving students in kindergarten

through grade twelve (K-12).

     (b) Allowable uses of funds may include, but shall not be limited to:

     (1) Mental health first aid training, trauma-informed practices, or related learning

opportunities for OST staff, youth leaders, volunteers, caregivers, or program partners;

     (2) Peer support groups, mentoring models, restorative practices, or youth-led initiatives

that foster connection, belonging, and emotional well-being;

     (3) Development, purchase, or implementation of materials, curricula, or resources that

support mental health awareness, social-emotional learning, coping skills, and resilience;

     (4) Program-based mental health projects, workshops, enrichment activities, or creative

expressions that integrate wellness and prevention into OST programming; and

     (5) Other innovative, community-informed, or culturally responsive approaches designed

to support youth mental health, prevention, early identification of need, and connection to

appropriate supports.

     (c) Funds shall be used in a manner that allows OST programs to respond flexibly to local

needs and priorities, while promoting developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and supportive

practices for youth and families.

     16-117-3. Funding and allocation.

     (a) The general assembly shall allocate one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the

fiscal year 2026–2027 budget to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

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     (b) Funds shall be administered by the appropriate state agency or by a designated

statewide intermediary, ideally the Rhode Island Afterschool Network, with demonstrated expertise

in out-of-school time systems, youth development, and equitable grantmaking. The administering

entity shall award funds through a competitive process to qualified OST programs, prioritize

programs serving youth with high levels of demonstrated need, ensure distribution across multiple

programs, and consider geographic diversity, including urban, suburban, and rural communities.

     16-117-4. Reporting.

     The administering agency or intermediary shall submit a brief annual report to the general

assembly detailing the number of OST programs and youth served, the geographic distribution of

funded programs, and a summary of funded activities and observed outcomes.

     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 EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

***

     This act would provide one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the fiscal year 2026–

2027 budget to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through

investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, as essential, community-based spaces that

provide connection, stability, and resilience during a period of heightened need and reduced public

supports.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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