Provides $100,000 to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children in OST settings.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would allocate $100,000 in state funding to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children who participate in out-of-school time (OST) programs. OST programs include after-school programs, summer programs, and other supervised activities that take place outside of regular school hours. The money would be directed toward efforts that help children in these settings manage their emotions, cope with stress, and maintain good mental health.

The bill would primarily affect children who attend OST programs across Rhode Island, as well as the staff and organizations that run those programs. The funding could potentially be used for things like staff training, counseling resources, or mental health support tools — though the specific details of how the money would be spent are not outlined in the bill's description. Families whose children participate in after-school or summer programs would likely see the most direct benefit.

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Finance Committee, which means it is in the early stages of the legislative process. The Finance Committee will review the proposal to consider whether the funding fits within the state's budget priorities before deciding whether to move it forward for a broader vote.