The bill proposes the establishment of an early childhood mental health hub program by the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) in Rhode Island. This program is designed to improve access to mental health services for children under six years old and their families. The hub is to be funded as a pilot program for a minimum of five years. The program will include training and supporting mental health professionals, maintaining a registry of qualified professionals, monitoring service availability and advancements in therapies, and making recommendations to Medicaid and behavioral health systems to address service gaps.

Additionally, the hub will integrate with Rhode Island's children’s behavioral health system of care managed by the EOHHS. Priorities for the hub, as outlined in the Rhode Island infant early childhood mental health plan, include offering state-supported training for clinicians in evidence-based family-based dyadic therapy models, developmentally-appropriate screenings, and evaluations for mental health challenges in young children. The hub also aims to advance equitable access to services, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, increase the number of qualified bilingual and culturally diverse mental health clinicians, and serve as a community resource for families and health professionals. The act will take effect upon passage.