Rep. Rebecca Kislak

Maddy summaryHB 7807 exempts meals served in licensed childcare centers from Rhode Island's sales and use taxes. This bill amends the state tax code to explicitly include licensed childcare centers alongside schools and educational institutions in the existing exemption for meals served to students or teachers. The change directly affects licensed childcare centers by removing a sales tax burden on meals provided to their enrolled children or staff. This policy update clarifies and expands current tax exemptions without altering tax rates or creating new administrative requirements.

Establishes a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services.

Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Amends the Rhode Island works program to allow lawful permanent residents to receive benefits without a waiting period and increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.

Requires DCYF to establish segregated savings account for foster care child receiving SS, SSI, veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits to manage the accounts and keep child eligible for future benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 to fund Rhode Island's Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program. It provides low-income SNAP recipients with double the value of their benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating local farmers markets and farmstands. The funds directly support both low-income families accessing nutritious food and small-scale Rhode Island farms selling produce. The money will be administered by Farm Fresh RI to sustain this existing program, which has distributed over $1.7 million since 2009.

Maddy summaryHB 7241 establishes a state tax credit for Rhode Island residents who provide unpaid care to qualifying family members. It allows eligible caregivers (earning under $50,000 individually or $100,000 jointly) to claim a 50% credit on out-of-pocket expenses for caregiving, capped at $1,000 annually. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care, but exclude insurance-covered costs or general home maintenance. The credit applies to expenses incurred after 2026 for family members aged 65+ or with disability benefits who live with the caregiver and need help with at least two basic self-care tasks (like bathing or dressing).

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.

Eliminates the sunset on the provision of funding, modify eligibility requirement to 85% of state median income and expand funding to at least 20 hours per week.

Maddy summaryHB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.