Location of Meeting: virtual – Recap: BOCA: Member meeting Monday, June 22 | Meeting | Microsoft Teams
BOCA Meeting Minutes
Date: June 2026
Facilitator: Amy Vogel
Welcome and Announcements
- Amy Vogel welcomed attendees to the June BOCA meeting.
- Members were informed that there will be no meetings during the summer months. The next meeting is scheduled for October 2026.
- A presentation from Starkweather Shepley Insurance was planned but had to be postponed due to a scheduling conflict. The presentation will be rescheduled for the October meeting.
Legislative Session Update
Presented by Rick McAuliffe, Lobbyist
Rhode Island General Assembly Session
- Rick reported that the 2026 legislative session concluded unusually early, ending on June 11.
- He noted that, in his 26 years of lobbying, he could not recall a legislative session ending so early.
- Approximately 42 bills were passed this year, significantly fewer than in a typical session.
Reasons for Early Adjournment
- Budget negotiations were completed relatively quickly despite limited available funding.
- The transition in House leadership following former Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s nomination to the Rhode Island Supreme Court resulted in a cautious legislative approach.
- The new Speaker opted to delay consideration of many proposals until next year while becoming familiar with pending issues.
- As an election year, legislators were eager to return to their districts and focus on reelection campaigns.
- Additional logistical considerations related to World Cup-related events and State House parking needs contributed to the session ending early.
Child Care Budget and Policy Updates
- The FY2027 state budget includes continued investments in early childhood programs.
- Eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) was increased to 285% of the Federal Poverty Level, allowing more families to qualify for assistance.
- Discussion included the ongoing need for increased childcare reimbursement rates and additional support for providers.
Regulatory Updates
- Amy Vogel shared information about Rhode Island’s Regulations Tracker through the Secretary of State’s Office: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/subscriptions/view
- Members were encouraged to subscribe to receive notifications about proposed rules and regulations that may impact the childcare industry.
- The subscription service can help providers stay informed about regulatory changes and public comment opportunities.
Open Discussion
- Members discussed whether they had received recent regulatory update emails and the benefits of subscribing directly to the notification system.
- Amy encouraged attendees to suggest future meeting topics and reach out with ideas during the summer months.
Closing Remarks
- Amy thanked attendees for their participation and wished everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.
- Members expressed hope that the 2027 legislative session will include increased childcare reimbursement rates and additional financial support for providers.
- The meeting adjourned with attendees thanking one another and wishing everyone a pleasant summer.
Next Meeting
October 26, 2026
Minutes submitted by Rebecca Compton