Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Rhode Island Child Care Assistance Bill Summary

This bill would change the rules for families applying for child care assistance in Rhode Island. Currently, to qualify for child care help through the Rhode Island Works Program, families must agree to cooperate with the Department of Human Services in legal processes like establishing who a child's father is (paternity) and enforcing child support or medical support orders. This bill would remove those requirements, meaning families would no longer have to participate in those legal processes just to receive child care assistance.

The bill primarily affects low-income families who rely on the Rhode Island Works Program to help pay for child care. Under the current rules, if a family declines to cooperate with paternity establishment or child support enforcement — for any reason — they can be denied child care benefits. If this bill passes, a family's eligibility for child care assistance would be evaluated separately from whether they are willing or able to participate in those legal proceedings.

Supporters of changes like this often argue that the cooperation requirement can put families in difficult or even unsafe situations, such as when a parent may have reasons to avoid contact with the other parent. Those with concerns might note that removing the requirement could reduce the state's ability to collect child support payments, which can offset government costs. The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.