Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.

Rhode Island TDI/TCI Expansion Bill

This bill makes several changes to Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) programs, which provide partial wage replacement to workers who need time off due to illness, injury, or caring for a family member. Currently, workers can receive these benefits for up to 6 weeks. Under this bill, that would increase to 10 weeks in 2027 and 12 weeks in 2028, giving Rhode Islanders more time to recover or provide care without losing their income entirely.

The bill also expands who qualifies as a family member under the program. Right now, workers can take caregiver leave for certain close relatives, but this bill adds grandchildren and a broader category of "care recipients" to that list. This means workers would have an easier time qualifying for benefits when caring for a grandchild or possibly someone outside the traditional family definitions who depends on them for care.

Additionally, the bill creates a new opt-in option for self-employed workers. Currently, TDI/TCI is an automatic program for traditional employees, but self-employed individuals — such as freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners — are not covered. This change would allow them to voluntarily choose to participate in the program by paying into it, giving them access to the same wage replacement benefits as regular employees when they become sick or need to provide care.

Overall, this bill affects Rhode Island workers, caregivers, self-employed individuals, and their families by broadening access to income support during difficult personal or health-related circumstances.