AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME (Provides $100,000 to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children in OST settings.)

H7501

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:
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SECTION 1. Findings of Fact and Purpose.
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The purpose of this chapter is to support the mental health and emotional well-being of
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children and youth through investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, recognizing OST
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programs as essential, community-based spaces that provide connection, stability, and resilience
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during a period of heightened need and reduced public supports.
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Rhode Island continues to experience significant mental health challenges among children
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and adolescents that affect well-being, school engagement, family stability, and long-term
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outcomes. In April 2022, leading pediatric and behavioral health organizations in the state declared
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a Rhode Island State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. These challenges have
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been compounded by reductions in federal funding for schools and student support services,
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increasing pressure on local and community-based systems to meet growing needs with fewer
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resources.
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Out-of-school time programs offer trusted, relationship-based environments where youth
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spend substantial time outside of the school day. These programs are embedded within the
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communities they serve and frequently employ staff, mentors, and leaders who reflect the lived
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experiences, cultures, and strengths of local families. Through intentional program design, OST
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programs function as intergenerational systems of support that foster belonging, strengthen
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protective factors, and support prevention, early identification of need, and connection to
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appropriate supports.

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Investments made pursuant to this chapter strengthen the capacity of existing OST
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programs to serve as stabilizing and supportive spaces for youth, mitigate the impacts of reduced
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school-day and federally funded supports, and reinforce community-based systems that are built
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by and for the communities they serve.
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SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 117
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BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME
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16-117-1. Short title.

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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School
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Time".
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16-117-2. Eligibility and allowable use.

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(a) Funds appropriated under this chapter shall support evidence-informed initiatives that
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promote the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through community-
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based or school-affiliated out-of-school time (“OST”) programs serving students in kindergarten
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through grade twelve (K-12).
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(b) Allowable uses of funds may include, but shall not be limited to:
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(1) Mental health first aid training, trauma-informed practices, or related learning
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opportunities for OST staff, youth leaders, volunteers, caregivers, or program partners;
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(2) Peer support groups, mentoring models, restorative practices, or youth-led initiatives
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that foster connection, belonging, and emotional well-being;
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(3) Development, purchase, or implementation of materials, curricula, or resources that
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support mental health awareness, social-emotional learning, coping skills, and resilience;
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(4) Program-based mental health projects, workshops, enrichment activities, or creative
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expressions that integrate wellness and prevention into OST programming; and
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(5) Other innovative, community-informed, or culturally responsive approaches designed
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to support youth mental health, prevention, early identification of need, and connection to
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appropriate supports.
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(c) Funds shall be used in a manner that allows OST programs to respond flexibly to local
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needs and priorities, while promoting developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and supportive
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practices for youth and families.
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16-117-3. Funding and allocation.

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(a) The general assembly shall allocate one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the
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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
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statewide intermediary, ideally the Rhode Island Afterschool Network, with demonstrated expertise
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in out-of-school time systems, youth development, and equitable grantmaking. The administering
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entity shall award funds through a competitive process to qualified OST programs, prioritize
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programs serving youth with high levels of demonstrated need, ensure distribution across multiple
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programs, and consider geographic diversity, including urban, suburban, and rural communities.
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16-117-4. Reporting.

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The administering agency or intermediary shall submit a brief annual report to the general
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assembly detailing the number of OST programs and youth served, the geographic distribution of
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funded programs, and a summary of funded activities and observed outcomes.
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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
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This act would provide one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the fiscal year 2026–
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2027 budget to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through
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investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, as essential, community-based spaces that
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provide connection, stability, and resilience during a period of heightened need and reduced public
5
supports.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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