2015 -- H 5642

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LC001637

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RHODE ISLAND FAMILY HOME VISITING

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, and Naughton

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     WHEREAS, A child's first experiences and relationships set the foundation for

development and learning that lead to success in school and in life. Voluntary, high-quality,

evidence-based home visiting programs help build parenting skills and address challenges faced

by many vulnerable families with young children.

     WHEREAS, Children in at-risk families who participate in evidence-based home visiting

programs have improved language, cognitive, and social emotional development and are less

likely to experience child abuse and neglect. Families who participate are more likely to provide a

safe, enriching home environment and become more economically secure through education and

employment. Evidence-based home visiting programs can also improve maternal and child

health, reducing long-term health care costs.

     WHEREAS, There is an existing infrastructure of home visiting programs in Rhode

Island serving families with young children that is supported through state and federal

investments. It is the goal of the general assembly to support a system of high-quality, evidence-

based family home visiting programs; and

     WHEREAS, There is a need to provide early supportive services to vulnerable families

with young children who are at risk for poor outcomes.

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 13.7

THE RHODE ISLAND FAMILY HOME VISITING ACT

     23-13.7-1. Short title. -- This chapter may be known and may be citied as "The Rhode

Island Family Home Visiting Act."

     23-13.7-2. Home visiting system components. -- (a) The Rhode Island department of

health shall develop and coordinate the system of early childhood home visiting services in

Rhode Island and shall work with the department of human services and department of children,

youth and families to identify effective, evidence-based home visiting models that meet the needs

of vulnerable families with young children.

     (b) Contingent upon funding, the Rhode Island department of health shall implement a

statewide home visiting system which uses evidence-based models proven to improve child and

family outcomes. Evidence-based home visiting programs must follow with fidelity a program

model with comprehensive standards that ensure high-quality service delivery, use research-based

curricula, and have demonstrated significant positive outcomes in at least two (2) of the following

areas:

     (1) Improve prenatal, maternal, infant or child health outcomes.

     (2) Improve safety and reduce child maltreatment and injury.

     (3) Improve family economic security and self-sufficiency

     (4) Enhance early childhood development (social-emotional, language, cognitive,

physical) to improve children's readiness to succeed in school.

     (c) The Rhode Island department of health shall develop and implement a system to

identify and refer families prenatally or as early after the birth of a child as possible to voluntary,

evidence-based home visiting programs. The referral system shall prioritize families for services

based on risk factors known to impair child development, including:

     (1) Adolescent parent(s);

     (2) History of prenatal drug or alcohol abuse;

     (3) History of child maltreatment, domestic abuse, or other types of violence;

     (4) Incarcerated parent(s);

     (5) Reduced parental cognitive functioning or significant disability;

     (6) Insufficient financial resources to meet family needs;

     (7) History of homelessness; and

     (8) Other risk factors as determined by the department.

     (d) Beginning on or before October 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Rhode Island

department of health shall issue a state home visiting plan/report that outlines the components of

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the state's family home visiting system which shall be made publicly available on the

department's website. The report shall include:

     (1) The number of families served by each evidence-based model;

     (2) Demographic data on families served;

     (3) Duration of participation of families;

     (4) Cross-departmental coordination; and

     (5) Outcomes related to prenatal, maternal, infant and child health, child maltreatment,

family economic security, and child development and school readiness.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RHODE ISLAND FAMILY HOME VISITING

ACT

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island Family Home Visiting Act. The Rhode Island

department of health would develop and coordinate the system of early childhood visiting

services to meet the needs of vulnerable families with young children.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001637

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