In 2024, the governor signed Senate Bill 2121, which included amendments to the temporary caregiver insurance (TCI) law that increased the amount of leave benefits available to employees beginning January 1, 2025. Under the previous law, eligible employees in Rhode Island could take six weeks of leave under TCI to care for a newborn, a newly adopted child, or a family member with a serious health condition. As of January 1, 2025, employees are entitled to seven weeks of leave, which will increase to eight weeks as of January 1, 2026. The legislation further increases the dependent allowance for those using TCI who have dependents under 18 years from $10 to $20 per week for each dependent.
Rhode Island TCI provides partial wage replacement and job protection for eligible Rhode Island employees. The wage replacement benefits are fully funded by employee payroll deductions. Employees receiving TCI while out on leave cannot continue to work and take leave on an intermittent basis, but they must remain out on leave for the entire duration of the leave period to collect benefits. Employers should ensure eligible employees are able to receive up to seven weeks of TCI leave upon request.