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6/9/2026
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Rep. Casimiro’s ‘Stop the Steal’ from foster kids bill included in budget
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STATE HOUSE – Rep. Julie A. Casimiro’s legislation that would return federal benefits to children in state care has been included in the state budget. Currently, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) takes federal benefits, like Social Security or veterans’ benefits, from children in state care to fund administrative costs and sustain DCYF’s budget.
“For the past three years, after discovering this troubling practice, I have fought to return this money to the children it rightfully belongs to, and every step of the way, I have experienced excuses and resistance from the very department charged with caring for these children. But last week when the amended budget was introduced, Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski, Majority Leader Katherine S. Kazarian and the House Finance Committee did something extraordinary. They stopped the steal by including my bill in the new state budget because they knew it was my number one priority this session,” said Representative Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter).
Rep. Casimiro’s legislation (2026-H 7051) would require DCYF to establish segregated savings accounts for foster children receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and veterans’ benefits. The bill was included in the state budget that was approved by the House of Representatives on June 5.
Representative Casimiro notes that these funds are desperately needed when these children transition out of state care without safety nets and family support.
“These kids have gotten a raw deal in life, and all too often, their benefits are tied to additional stress and trauma that they have already experienced during their short lives. It was immoral to take this money away from these kids, but thankfully, that will no longer be the case. I thank House leadership, the Finance Committee and my colleagues in the House for ensuring that our children in state care will now have a safety net to support them as they transition out of state care, and this will make all the difference in giving these kids a chance to have happy and productive lives,” concluded Representative Casimiro.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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