IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #224; #244;

PressReleaseID: 21,524

Publicist: Meredyth R. Whitty

PublicistID: 5

Published Date: 11/2/2026 3:35 PM

Senator/Representatives: Rep. Lauren H. Carson; Sen. Dawn Euer;

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Status: Approved

Description: NEWPORT – Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer are inviting all community members to a public meeting of the Newport Birthing Center Coalition next week for an update on efforts to keep the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center open and discuss plans for its future.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents, families, healthcare professionals and community leaders to learn about recent developments and participate in the ongoing conversation about maternity care in Newport County.

The meeting is scheduled Monday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St. The agenda includes an update on the birthing center and the effort to ensure it remains open, a report on the coalition’s discussions with Brown University Health and Newport Hospital leaders about sustaining maternity services, a presentation on a report developed by the coalition outlining recommendations to expand and strengthen the birthing center into a first-class maternity care facility serving all Newport County families and a discussion of the coalition’s priorities during the upcoming 2027 Rhode Island General Assembly session.

Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) said the group remains committed not only to preserving the birthing center but also to exploring opportunities to make it a model for accessible, high-quality maternity care in Rhode Island.

MigrationFlag: 1

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NewsYear: 2026

Image: https://rilegislature.gov//pressrelease/Pictures/_w/SCA-RibbonCuttingweb_jpg.jpg

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #260; #226;

PressReleaseID: 21,523

Publicist: Tristan Grau

PublicistID: 40

Published Date: 11/2/2026 1:09 PM

Senator/Representatives: Sen. Valarie J. Lawson; Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee;

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Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE — Adolescent girls needing specialized treatment for behavioral health challenges will no longer have to leave Rhode Island to get the healing support they need.

Senate President Valarie J. Lawson and House Judiciary Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee joined Gov. Dan McKee, Department of Children, Youth & Families Director Ashley Deckert, Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance Acting Director Marco Schiappa, Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff and other officials Monday to cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially open South County Academy.

“South County Academy will change the course of young lives, brighten the future for Rhode Island families, and benefit our state in so many ways,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “It is a testament to Rhode Islanders’ commitment to meet the needs of our most at-risk neighbors, and it sends a strong message to our most vulnerable children that we value and support them. On behalf of the Senate, I want to express our collective gratitude for all the hard work and determination that has gone into making this state-of-the-art facility a reality.”

“For too long, Rhode Island has been unable to care for and support some of our most vulnerable residents. Rather than having a dedicated place to help our adolescent girls with significant behavioral health needs, we shipped them off to out-of-state facilities, far from their families, friends and homes. But after today, this practice will end, and Rhode Island will once again be able to care for its own as we should have been doing in the first place,” said Chairwoman McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

“This state-of-the-art facility will allow young women in Rhode Island to get the treatment and support they need close to home,” said Governor McKee. “Staying home in Rhode Island will make it easier to sustain the vital connection with their families and communities. The state is proud of this beautiful facility and the investment in young women at risk.”

The $45 million, state-of-the-art complex is Rhode Island’s only specialized educational and residential treatment program for adolescent females with complex behavioral health needs. Prior to South County Academy, teenage girls in DCYF care had to receive those specialized short- and long-term services out of state due to Rhode Island’s lack of residential placement capacity.

Governor McKee and a host of officials broke ground on the project in August 2024. Twenty months later, in April 2026, DCYF selected FSRI to provide clinical and educational services at South County Academy. As the facility’s operator, FSRI will utilize a trauma-informed, youth-centered model that recognizes each young person’s experiences, strengths, needs and potential.

Today, the 32,000 square-foot facility sits on 11 acres in a peaceful setting off Main Street in Exeter. It has two eight-bedroom dormitories for a total of 16 treatment beds, as well as educational classrooms, a media center, programming space, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, clinical areas and office space. FSRI welcomed its first students shortly after Monday’s ceremony.

“South County Academy reflects what we can accomplish when state leaders, providers, and community partners work together to meet the needs of Rhode Island children,” said Deckert. “I want to recognize former Interim Director Kevin Aucoin, whose leadership helped set this project in motion and laid the groundwork for the progress we celebrate today. I am deeply grateful to the DCYF team for their tremendous work, dedication, and persistence in seeing this project through, and to DCAMM and our other state partners for their collaboration throughout its development. Together, we are expanding access to behavioral health treatment for teenage girls closer to home, where they can receive the care they need while maintaining connections to their families and communities.”

“This facility is more than a building,” said Schiappa. “It represents a shared commitment across all stakeholders to better support these children and their families. It will have a profound impact on the residents’ growth and healing.”

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and envision a brighter future,” said McDuff. “At South County Academy, we will provide the compassionate, individualized care these young women need in a safe, supportive environment, while helping them maintain vital connections to their families and communities. We are proud to partner with DCYF in creating a place where healing can begin, hope can take root, and young lives can move forward.”

The project was supported, in part, by federal award number SLFRF0136 awarded to the State of Rhode Island by the U.S. Department of Treasury, as well as a capital projects appropriation. Peregrine Group LLC was the Owner’s Project Manager, DBVW Architects served as architect, and construction was performed by Gilbane Building Co. Rhode Island’s Department of Administration/DCAMM coordinated design and construction on behalf of DCYF and the state.

MigrationFlag: 1

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NewsYear: 2026

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #191;

PressReleaseID: 21,522

Publicist: Tristan Grau

PublicistID: 40

Published Date: 11/2/2026 12:10 PM

Senator/Representatives: Rep. Mia Ackerman;

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SenRepBioPageFlag: Yes

Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE — House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman is pleased to announce that a crosswalk is coming to Angell Road in Cumberland to allow access to the Geddes Bowen Nature Preserve.

“I am so happy that the State Traffic Commission has approved my request for a crosswalk on Angell Road to allow safe pedestrian access to Geddes Bowan Preserve,” said Representative Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln). “The preserve is a popular spot for residents to enjoy nature but there is currently no safe way to cross Angell Road to access it. The project should be completed this spring, just in time for clear skies and warmer weather after the cold temperatures and short days of winter. The crosswalk will also include pedestrian-activated flashing lights that will keep our residents safe while they access this beautiful open space.”

The State Traffic Commission approved Representative Ackerman’s request after concluding a traffic study to determine the feasibility of the project. It concluded that “the lack of parking, high pedestrian activity, and the higher speeds (of vehicles)” justified the approval of the crosswalk.

MigrationFlag: 1

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PressReleaseFileId: 53

PressReleaseFile: http://sp-web-01-prod:8090/pressrelease/PressReleaseFiles/Approval-letter.pdf

NewsYear: 2026

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #252;

PressReleaseID: 21,521

Publicist: Tristan Grau

PublicistID: 40

Published Date: 11/2/2026 9:13 AM

Senator/Representatives: Rep. Justine A. Caldwell;

NewsHighlightFlag: No

SenRepBioPageFlag: Yes

Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE – The House commission studying the use and impacts of digital technology on children, public education and mental health meets Wednesday.

The Special Legislative Commission to Study the Use and Impact of Digital and Electronic Technology in Public Education and on Mental Health will meet Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House. No public testimony will be taken at this meeting.

The commission will receive a virtual presentation by Emily Cherkin of FairPlay for Kids, as well as presentations from URI professor of media literacy Renee Hobbs and Janella Watson of  Watson Creative Consulting.

The 14-member commission led by Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) is studying numerous aspects of the use of digital technology in public schools, ways to ensure applications used by children are designed with their best interests in mind, issues that arise with minors holding social media accounts, the use of artificial technology in mental healthcare treatment, and the use of AI companion technology and its potential impact on suicidal ideation and physical or financial harm.

The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television, which can be seen by Spectrum subscribers on channels 15 and 61 for high definition, on channel 15 by i3Broadband viewers, and channel 34 for Verizon subscribers. Livestreaming will be available at https://www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV/Pages/default.aspx.

The legislation creating the commission (2026-H 8345A) combined concepts from several bills included in a package of legislation put forward by Representative Caldwell, Rep. Megan L. Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) and Rep. Tina L. Spears (Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly) — all mothers of children and teens — to address growing concerns around social media use and digital technology use by establishing new safeguards designed to reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content, exploitation and adverse mental health impacts among users, particularly children.

All three representatives were appointed to the commission. The commission also includes Rep. Brian C. Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville), Attorney General’s Office Civil Division Deputy Chief Assistant Attorney General Sarah Rice, R.I. State Police Lt. Detective Brian Macera of the Computer Crimes Unit, Rhode Island Foundation Director of Education and Student Success Rachel Folan, Rogers High School teacher Patrick Wygant, Providence Public Schools teacher Thomas Nolan, R.I. Association of School Principals Executive Director Robert Littlefield, Family Services of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff, University of Rhode Island professor Renee Hobbs, East Greenwich parent Sabrina Weiss and EdTechRI President Michael Sujka.

MigrationFlag: 1

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NewsYear: 2026

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #260;

PressReleaseID: 21,520

Publicist: Greg Pare

PublicistID: 7

Published Date: 10/30/2026 11:17 AM

Senator/Representatives: Sen. Valarie J. Lawson;

NewsHighlightFlag: No

SenRepBioPageFlag: Yes

Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE – Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) today announced that the Rhode Island Senate will convene briefly next week to receive judicial nominations from Governor Daniel J. McKee.
 
The Senate will convene on Thursday, November 5, at 4 p.m. in the Senate Chamber solely to accept the anticipated appointments, which will be referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary for hearings as part of the advice and consent process.
 
The session will be televised live by Capitol Television, which can be seen by Spectrum subscribers on channels 15 and 61 for high definition, on channel 15 by i3Broadband viewers and channel 34 for Verizon subscribers. It will be live streamed at capitoltvri.cablecast.tv.

MigrationFlag: 1

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NewsYear: 2026

Image: https://rilegislature.gov//pressrelease/Pictures/_w/IMG_3862web_jpg.jpg

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #288;

PressReleaseID: 21,519

Publicist: Tristan Grau

PublicistID: 40

Published Date: 10/29/2026 3:02 PM

Senator/Representatives: Sen. Alana DiMario;

NewsHighlightFlag: No

SenRepBioPageFlag: Yes

Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE — Sen. Alana M. DiMario was honored today for her work on behalf of families and children with special needs with a Legislative Partner award at the RIPIN Annual Breakfast.

“I am honored to receive this award and celebrate the 35th anniversary of RIPIN, a group founded by parents of children with special needs who recognized that through community and mutual support they could build a more inclusive and supportive Rhode Island,” said Senator DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham). “I’ve been proud to do my part in the General Assembly to move our laws in the same direction. Every child deserves to thrive, and every family deserves the support they need to provide the best learning environment possible for their children.”

Senator DiMario has sponsored a number of laws supporting special education and children with special needs, including to improve individualized education plans (IEP) for children and their parents, to ensure that parents of children with special educational needs have access to local advisory committees for support and advice, to allow students to help with IEP physical education classes, and to codify federal 504 education plans into state law.

She also successfully advocated for the state budget to fund behavioral health training for staff in out-of-school programs and personally supported workforce training for child mental health professionals by covering membership fees for infant and child care professionals.

“Senator DiMario is such a dedicated champion for children with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. She understands the challenges that families face, and she knows how to build solutions,” said Samuel Salganik, executive director at RIPIN. “We’re thrilled to honor her work, and it’s been such a privilege to work with her to enact policies that help Rhode Islanders of all abilities thrive.”

Established in 1991 by a passionate group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN is a statewide network dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders of all abilities, ages and backgrounds get the support they need to thrive. Today it has over 100 employees, most of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one with special health care or educational needs.

IN PHOTO: From left, Sen. Alan M. DiMario and RIPIN Executive Director Samuel Salganik.

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NewsYear: 2026

IsPressReleaseHighlight: No

LegislatorID: #262; #261;

PressReleaseID: 21,517

Publicist: Lee Ann Sennick

PublicistID: 37

Published Date: 10/26/2026 2:42 PM

Senator/Representatives: Sen. Jessica de la Cruz; Sen. Gordon E. Rogers;

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SenRepBioPageFlag: Yes

Status: Approved

Description: STATE HOUSE, RI — Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers joined students and educators at Ponaganset High School on October 23, 2026 for a student-led debate examining the complex issues surrounding automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and AI-driven Flock surveillance cameras.
 
The event highlighted the critical voices of Rhode Island youth on an issue rapidly moving to the forefront of state legislative agendas. Following the formal debate, Leader de la Cruz and Whip Rogers participated in an open discussion and Q&A session with the students and audience members to hear their perspectives on how these policies impact the community. There was a strong consensus among participants that while modern law enforcement tools are vital for solving crimes, robust legislative guardrails are essential to protect the civil liberties of ordinary citizens.
 
“Flock cameras raise serious questions about how we balance public safety with personal privacy, and those are exactly the kinds of questions lawmakers wrestle with every session,” said Leader de la Cruz. “Debate teaches students to research an issue, understand both sides, and make their case with evidence. Whip Rogers and I are glad to support that work and to give these students a real-world look at how policy gets made.”
 
"Seeing these students engage so deeply with such a complex, modern issue is incredibly reassuring," said Whip Rogers. "The decisions we make regarding privacy and technology today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow. Hearing their structured arguments and insights provides valuable perspective as we navigate these regulatory boundaries at the State House."
 
The full event remains available for on-demand streaming online via Capitol TV at:
 
https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/12424

MigrationFlag: 1

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NewsYear: 2026