PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Rhode Island Board of Elections is advancing a proposal that would allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for child-care expenses, as federal candidates now can.
The board voted to put the proposal out for public comment.
Lawyer Raymond Marcaccio told the board on Monday that this plan would only cover child-care costs that are incurred because a parent is running for office, The Providence Journal reported.
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Marcaccio said the proposed language is similar to that used by the Federal Election Commission.
The Rhode Island Senate approved similar legislation in June, but the bill did not make it through the House.
“It’s obvious that this is necessary,″ said Stephen Erickson, the board commissioner. “Child-care expenditures can be an impediment to somebody holding office or running for office, and so this seem eminently reasonable.”
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