Provides that the early intervention program for developmentally disabled infants be under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS).
Summary
S0247 would revise Rhode Island’s early intervention law for developmentally disabled infants and toddlers. The bill places the early intervention program under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and updates the statute to reflect EOHHS as the lead agency for administration, regulations, complaints, and coordination with other agencies. It also keeps the existing requirement that eligible infants from birth to age three be served, but adds a new policy direction to extend services beyond a child’s third birthday.
The bill creates a phased implementation for allowing children to remain in early intervention until the September 1 following their third birthday, consistent with federal law. EOHHS would first be required to develop a plan beginning July 1, 2025, then implement limited extensions for children turning three in specified date ranges in 2028 and 2029, and finally allow all eligible children to stay in the program through the September 1 after their third birthday beginning September 1, 2029. The measure also preserves and updates reporting, evaluation, and interagency coordination requirements involving education, health, and human services agencies.
Impact
The bill would amend § 23-13-22 of the Rhode Island General Laws, shifting program references from the Department of Human Services and Department of Health to EOHHS and changing the administrative structure for the state’s early intervention system. It would affect eligibility timing for children with developmental delays or disabilities by extending service continuity past age three, potentially reducing gaps between Part C early intervention and Part B preschool special education services. The bill could also require new regulations, federal approvals, and possible changes to state budgeting and service delivery.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive and expansion-oriented, with findings emphasizing improved educational outcomes, reduced long-term costs, and better continuity of care for children with developmental delays and disabilities. The legislative findings frame the change as a way to prevent service gaps for children with spring and summer birthdays and to align Rhode Island with other states that already use federally approved extension options. No committee testimony or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented opposition or formal vote-based sentiment in the available materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is the extension of early intervention services beyond age three, which may raise questions about implementation timing, administrative capacity, and funding. The bill also changes agency responsibility to EOHHS, which could prompt concern about how duties are transferred from existing agencies and how regulations and interagency coordination will be managed. Another possible point of contention is the phased rollout through 2029, since families and advocates may differ on whether the timeline is too slow or whether the state can secure the necessary federal approvals and resources.