Proposed Rules, Regulations & Upcoming Hearings

The following proposed rules, regulations and State plans are being considered for the named DHS programs and services. Please find more information, such as public hearing notices, when appropriate, and summaries of changes. 

Proposed Amendment to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

During public comment periods from June through September, a technical error within the RICR system may have prevented comments submitted through RICR’s attachment field from being received by the agency. Any comments submitted directly through RICR’s text box option (with no attachments) or submitted directly to the agency were processed successfully. As a result of the technical error, the DHS is repromulgating the regulatory changes for this regulation.

RICR Title 218 –  Rhode Island Department of Human Services

Chapter 20 –  Individual and Family Support Programs

Part –  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Summary of Rulemaking Action: 

To comply with and implement the following federal mandates: FFY 2024 Standard Utility Allowance and Cost-of Living Adjustments (COLA) for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; implementation of modified Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit exceptions under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023; and implementation of the Excessive Replacement Card Notice policy per FNS.

Regulation Amendments: Deductions and Expenses (1.5.7); ABAWD Exceptions (1.11.9); Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels (1.15); EBT (1.16) which removes the requirement of contact with DHS staff concerning excessive replacement of EBT cards. DHS will no longer hold the 5th or more card. Referrals to the Office of Internal Audits will continue if a 5th or more is requested; Change to gender neutral pronouns throughout the regulation.

Proposed Adoption of Social Services Block Grant Intended Use Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services proposes the following DHS Intended Use Plan: 2024 Social Services Block Grant. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM, conducted by the RI Department of Human Services, at the RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, Building #57, 25 Howard Avenue, 1^st Floor Room #110, Cranston, RI 02920 in the West Wing Conference Room.   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Tuesday, August 15, 2023 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Cranston RI 02920, or email to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 11:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. The RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the Hearing date.

The Department of Human Services does not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religious belief, political belief or handicap.

Proposed Amendment to Rhode Island Works (218-RICR-20-00-2)

During public comment periods from June through September, a technical error within the RICR system may have prevented comments submitted through RICR’s attachment field from being received by the agency. Any comments submitted directly through RICR’s text box option (with no attachments) or submitted directly to the agency were processed successfully. As a result of the technical error, the DHS is repromulgating the regulatory changes for this regulation.

RICR Title 218 – Rhode Island Department of Human Services

Chapter 20 – Individual and Family Support Programs

Part 2 – Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations

Summary of Rulemaking Action: The Department of Human Services is filing the following changes to the Rhode Island Works rule as a direct final amendment to update the category of pregnant applicant. These changes were approved with the 2024 Rhode Island State Budget and will ensure that pregnant applicants will be reviewed for eligibility for the Rhode Island Works Program from the time they submit verification of the pregnancy: • Section 2.2 A. 16., 25., 26., 2.5.8 A. 2., 2.11.2 E. 1., 2.12.1 C. 2., and 2.18.3 A. 4. 

Proposed Adoption of the 2024-2025 Community Services Block Grant Program

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human services proposes the following DHS State Plan:

2024-2025 Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG)

The Community Services Block Grant provides funds to the State of Rhode Island and, in turn, Community Action Agencies to address the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient. Rhode Island’s Community Services Block Grant is administered by the Department of Human Services.

This proposed state plan is accessible on the DHS website http://www.dhs.ri.gov or available in hard copy upon request (401) 462-1669. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 17, 2023, 10:00AM, at the RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building (Bldg. #57), 25 Howard Ave. 1^st Floor, Cranston, RI 02920 in the West Wing Conference Room. Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Wednesday, August 15, 2023 to Frederick Sneesby, Department of Human Services, Building #57, 25 Howard Avenue, Cranston RI 02920, or email to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 10:00 AM and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 11:00 AM, whichever comes first. The RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the Hearing date.

The Department of Human Services does not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religious belief, political belief or handicap.

Proposed Adoption of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).  A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 1:00 P.M.  at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Friday, April  28, 2023, to Julie Capobianco, WAP Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to julie.capobianco@dhs.ri.gov

The hearing will begin at 1:00 P.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes their testimony or at 2:00 P.M., whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to persons with disabilities. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Amendment to the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Social Service/Independent Living Units (218-RICR-50-00-2)

In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, the Department of Human Services hereby proposes an Amendment to the following program:

RICR Title 218 - Department of Human Services  

Chapter 50 - Rehabilitation Services

Part 2 - Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Social Service/Independent Living Units

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.8, an oral hearing will be granted if requested by twenty-five (25) persons, by a governmental agency or by an association having at least twenty-five (25) members. A request for an oral hearing must be made within ten (10) days of the publication of this notice. Written comments will be accepted until April 27th, 2023.

Proposed Amendment to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program Regulations (218-RICR-50-00-1)

In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, the Department of Human Services hereby proposes an Amendment to the following program:

RICR Title 218 - Department of Human Services  

Chapter 50 - Rehabilitation Services

Part 1 - Vocational Rehabilitation Program Regulations

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.8, an oral hearing will be granted if requested by twenty-five (25) persons, by a governmental agency or by an association having at least twenty-five (25) members. A request for an oral hearing must be made within ten (10) days of the publication of this notice. Written comments will be accepted until April 26th, 2023. 

Proposed Adoption of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant. A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 1:00 P.M.  at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).  Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Tuesday, March 14, 2023 to Kimberly Rauch, TANF Administrator, Department of Human Services, Hazard Building, 41 West Road, Building #74, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to Kimberly.rauch@dhs.ri.gov .

The hearing will begin at 1:00 P.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 2:00 P.M., whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be made at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).  A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:30 AM.  at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Friday, November 25, 2022 to Julie Capobianco, WAP Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to julie.capobianco@dhs.ri.gov

The hearing will begin at 11:30 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:30 P.M., whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of SSBG State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services proposes the following DHS Intended Use Plan: 2023 Social Services Block Grant. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM, conducted by the RI Department of Human Services, at the RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, Building #57, 25 Howard Avenue, 1st Floor Room #110, Cranston, RI 02920 in the West Wing Conference Room. Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Tuesday, August 23, 2022 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Cranston RI 02920, or email to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 11:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. The RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the Hearing date.

The Department of Human Services does not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religious belief, political belief or handicap.

Proposed Adoption of 2023 LIHEAP State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services proposes the State Plan for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant which is funded through the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

This proposed state plan is accessible on the DHS website http://www.dhs.ri.gov or available in hard copy upon request (401) 462-6424. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 1:30 PM by the RI Department of Human Services at 25 Howard Ave., Building 57, Cranston, RI. Persons wishing to testify may do so by attending the meeting.

You may submit written testimony by Monday, August 15, 2022 to Deirdre Weedon, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 57 Howard Avenue, Cranston RI 02920, or email to deirdre.weedon@dhs.ri.gov.

The Hearing will begin at 1:30 PM and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 3:00 PM, whichever comes first.

The Department of Human Services does not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religious belief, political belief or handicap.

Proposed Adoption of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: 2022 Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). 

A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Friday, April 29, 2022 to Julie Capobianco, WAP Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to julie.capobianco@dhs.ri.gov

The hearing will begin at 10:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 P.M., whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the State Plan for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) which is funded through the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

This proposed State Plan is accessible below or available in hard copy upon request by calling (401) 462-1669. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 10:00AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110). Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Wednesday, August 25, 2021 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 10:00 AM and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 11:00 AM, whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be made at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: 2022 Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Wednesday, August 25, 2021 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 11:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Public Notice of Proposed DHS State Plan

In accordance Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan:

CCDF 2022-24 State Plan

The Child Care Development Fund Grant is funded through the Administration for Children and Families. The CCDF State Plan serves as Rhode Island’s application for CCDF funds by providing a description of, and assurance about, the state’s child care program (CCAP) and all services available to eligible families. The CCDF program also provides funding to enhance the quality of child care for all children.

In the development of this State Plan, consideration was given to the following: (1) alternative approaches; and (2) overlap or duplication with other statutory and regulatory provisions. No alternative approach or duplication or overlap was identified based upon available information. This proposed plan is accessible below or available in hard copy upon request by calling (401) 462-1669 or RI Relay by dialing 711.

A remote public hearing to consider the proposed CCDF 2022-24 State Plan was held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 via a Zoom meeting.