Introduced By: Representatives Benoit, Sherlock, Lopes, Abdullah-Odiase and Moura
Date Introduced : February 2, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 40-6.2-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6.2 entitled "Child Care--State Subsidies" is hereby amended to read as follows:
40-6.2-5. Health care coverage for center-based care providers.
-- (a) The department of human services is authorized
and directed to establish a health care {DEL buy-in DEL}
{ADD premium cost-sharing ADD} option through its RIte Care program
for center-based child care providers who provide child care services
paid for in whole or in part by the department of human services
or the department of children, youth, and families, and who meet
the eligibility requirements of this section.
(b) A center-based provider shall be eligible to participate if:
(i) The provider is licensed as a child day care provider by the department of children, youth, and families pursuant to chapter 72.1 of title 42; and
(ii) The provider demonstrates that it meets the minimum subsidized child care participation rates specified in subsection (c), (d), or (e), for the applicable period; and
(iii) The provider elects to exercise this health care {DEL buy-in DEL}
{ADD premium cost-sharing ADD} coverage option on behalf of its employees
and makes timely payment of the provider's share of the premium.
(c) Effective January 1, 1999, if the number of children served
by the provider who meet the department's child care assistance
income guidelines under section 40-5.1-17 is at least fifty percent
(50%) of the {DEL licensed capacity DEL} {ADD enrollment
census ADD} of the provider, then the center-based child care provider
shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the monthly premiums attributable
to the center's participating employees.
(d) Effective July 1, 1999, if the number of children served by
the provider who meet the department's child care assistance income
guidelines under section40-5.1-17 is at least forty percent (40%)
of the {DEL licensed capacity DEL} {ADD enrollment census ADD}
of the provider, then the center-based child care provider shall
pay fifty percent (50%) of the monthly premiums attributable to
the center's participating employees.
(e) Effective July 1, 2000, if the number of children served by
the provider who meet the department's child care assistance income
guidelines under section 40-5.1-17 is at least thirty percent
(30%) of the {DEL licensed capacity DEL} {ADD enrollment
census ADD} of the provider, then the center-based child care provider
shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the monthly premiums attributable
to the center's participating employees.
(f) The department of human services is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations which it deems necessary to effect the intent and further define the terms and provisions of this section, and which may include, but need not be limited to the terms, premiums, conditions, limitations, and restrictions of the health care buy-in option, and enrollment periods and procedures.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.
