Beginning July 1, 2026, new applicants for childcare and youth-serving positions will not pay for criminal background checks.

Rhode Island H7428 amends the certification requirements for childcare and youth-serving workers by eliminating the fee for criminal background checks for new applicants starting July 1, 2026. Previously, new applicants for employment in licensed childcare and youth-serving positions were required to cover the cost of their criminal background checks. This change ensures that the expense of these checks will be borne by the relevant agencies or employers, potentially easing the financial burden on job seekers in these fields.

Beginning July 1, 2026, new applicants for childcare and youth-serving positions will not pay for criminal background checks.

Rhode Island H7428 amends the certification requirements for childcare and youth-serving workers by eliminating the fee for criminal background checks for new applicants starting July 1, 2026. Previously, new applicants for employment in licensed childcare and youth-serving positions were required to cover the cost of their criminal background checks. This change ensures that the expense of these checks will be borne by the relevant agencies or employers, potentially easing the financial burden on job seekers in these fields.