Relating to the state child care assistance eligibility requirements and provider reimbursement rates

This bill relates to the state child care assistance income eligibility requirements for families and reimbursement rates for child care providers. The state child care assistance program is administered by the department of human services (DHS). The bill directs DHS to amend its administrative rules to provide income eligibility for state child care assistance, according to family size for children needing basic care, to families whose nonexempt gross monthly income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2022; 160 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2023; 170 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2024; 180 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2025; 190 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2026; and 200 percent of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2027. The bill also directs DHS to amend its administrative rules to provide that eligibility for the child care assistance plus exit program shall continue until a family’s nonexempt gross monthly income exceeds 250 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill directs DHS, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, to set reimbursement rates for child care providers under the state child care assistance program to rates based on the most recent market rate survey completed in 2021.