Bill Text: HI HB2535 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Child Care.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [HB2535 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2535-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2535 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO CHILD CARE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022-2023, more than fifteen thousand families with children under the age of thirteen received subsidies from the child care connection Hawaii program to help them afford child care services. The legislature further finds that child care center providers can be faced with disruptions in services and possible closure when their operating costs are funded by tuition fees because their revenues depend upon ever-changing enrollment figures rather than a stable source of funding.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish a child care classroom contracts pilot program to develop and implement procedures to subsidize child care by contracting for classrooms in licensed infant and toddler child care centers or group child care centers; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the child care classroom contracts pilot program.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of human services shall establish and implement a child care classroom contracts pilot program no later than July 1, 2025.
(b) The department of human services shall contract directly with licensed infant and toddler child care center and group child care center providers that serve:
(1) Children six weeks to five years of age; and
(2) Families who are eligible for a federally funded child care subsidy through the department of human services.
(c) The pilot program shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The pilot program shall provide contracts for at least one full classroom at one licensed infant and toddler child care center and two licensed group child care centers per county; and
(2) Contracts with child care center providers shall be a minimum of twelve months and may be extended for the length of the pilot period.
(d) The department of human services may contract with a service provider in accordance with chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to operate the child care classroom contracts pilot program.
(e) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
SECTION 3. (a) The department of human services shall submit annual interim reports on the development and implementation of the child care classroom contracts pilot program, including impacts to child care provider stability, family satisfaction, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027.
(b) The department of human services shall submit a final report on the child care classroom contracts pilot program, including impacts to child care provider stability, family satisfaction, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2028.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish one temporary program specialist position to conduct the procurement and contract monitoring necessary to carry out the child care classroom contracts pilot program established by section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37 91 and 37 93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Department of Human Services; Child Care Classroom Contracts Pilot Program; Report; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling
Description:
Establishes a child care classroom contracts pilot program to require the Department of Human Services to contract directly with child care center providers in licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers that meet certain criteria. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for a position to support the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
