Rhode Island S2834: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY

What the bill says

From the introduced text, March 4, 2026:

2026 -- S 2834 ======== LC004426 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY INTERVENTION EXTENSION--BRIDGE TO PRESCHOOL Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Mack, DiMario, DiPalma, Urso, Murray, Ujifusa, Appollonio, Zurier, Quezada, and Gallo Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 Referred To: Senate Finance It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Legislative findings. The general assembly finds and declares the following: (1) Rhode Island has long been committed to delivering high-quality services to support positive early childhood development and learning of children with developmental delays and disabilities under Part C and Part B, Section 619 of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") from infancy to kindergarten entry. (2) Early identification and delivery of high-quality early childhood IDEA services to children with developmental challenges, developmental delays, and disabilities can improve educational outcomes, reduce long-term costs of special education, and maximize the long-term potential of children succeeding in school and life. (3) Effective early childhood IDEA services can help children make substantial developmental progress. In Rhode Island, two (2) out of three (3) children with disabilities who entered preschool below age expectations substantially increased their acquisition of knowledge and skills to close or narrow the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Bridget Valverde (D, SD-035) · primary sponsor
• Tiara Mack (D, SD-006)
• DiMario, Alana (D, SD-036)
• DiPalma, Louis (D, SD-012)
• Lori Urso (D, SD-008)
• Melissa Murray (D, SD-024)
• Linda Ujifusa (D, SD-011)
• Peter Appollonio (D, SD-029)
• Samuel Zurier (D, SD-003)
• Ana Quezada (D, SD-002)
• Hanna Gallo (D, SD-027)

Latest actions

1. June 11, 2026: Senate passed Sub A
2. June 10, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
3. June 10, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A
4. June 9, 2026: Proposed Substitute
5. June 8, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
6. May 5, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
7. May 1, 2026: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
8. March 4, 2026: Introduced, referred to Senate Finance

Votes

• Senate Seq #608: (June 11, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Finance: Passage of Sub A (June 10, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Finance: Passage (June 10, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Finance: Passage (May 5, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2834?

S2834 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY .

What does S2834 do?

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY INTERVENTION EXTENSION--BRIDGE TO PRESCHOOL (Permits extended early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities whose third birthday is between May 1 and August 31.)

What is the status of S2834?

Passed one chamber as of June 11, 2026. Latest action: Senate passed Sub A (June 11, 2026).

Who sponsored S2834?

Bridget Valverde (D, SD-035), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S2834?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2834A.pdf