# R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.3: Accreditation

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.3

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.3
- **Heading:** Accreditation
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-72 / Section 42-72-5.3

## Text

(a)(1) The standards set by the Council on Accreditation (COA) are nationally recognized as best practices for protecting and providing services to abused and neglected children;

(2) Achieving and maintaining these standards requires a solid commitment from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government;

(3) It is the intent of the general assembly to provide the resources for the department of children, youth and families to meet, achieve, and sustain accreditation by the Council on Accreditation.

(b) The department of children, youth and families shall initiate the process for seeking COA accreditation no later than September 1, 2019, and shall submit an accreditation plan to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the house committee on health, education and welfare, the chairperson of the senate committee on health and human services, the chairpersons of the finance committees of the house and senate, and to the chairpersons of the judiciary committees of the house and senate no later than October 1, 2020. Said plan shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) Inputs, including updated staffing requirements, a timetable for achieving those requirements, and any additional costs associated with achieving accreditation;

(2) Outcomes, including an assessment based on statistical and other evidence, of the impact of accreditation on the number of abused and neglected children, the nature of their abuse, and the relationships between such children and their families.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-1 § 42-72-1. Establishment of department €” Director.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-2 § 42-72-2. Declaration of policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-3 § 42-72-3. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-4 § 42-72-4. Qualifications and duties of director.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5 § 42-72-5. Powers and scope of activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.1 § 42-72-5.1. Adoption of children placed under foster care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.2 § 42-72-5.2. Development of a continuum of children€™s behavioral health programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.3 § 42-72-5.3. Accreditation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-6 § 42-72-6. Deputies and administrators.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-7 § 42-72-7. Central registry.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-8 § 42-72-8. Confidentiality of records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-9 § 42-72-9. Regional service centers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-10 § 42-72-10. Development of service plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-11 § 42-72-11. Protective services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.