Representative Ashlee Matthews proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
CHILD CARE GRANT AMENDMENTS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Ashlee Matthews

5     
Senate Sponsor: Luz Escamilla

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions related to child care subsidy.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     authorizes the Office of Child Care to award a full child care subsidy or grant to a
14     child with at least one parent or legal guardian working full-time at a child care
15     provider; and
16          ▸     makes technical changes.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          35A-3-209, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 168
24     

25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          Section 1. Section 35A-3-209 is amended to read:
27          35A-3-209. Award of child care subsidy services.
28          (1) As used in this section, "child care provider" means an entity that holds a license or
29     certificate from the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with Title 26B,
30     Chapter 2, Part 4, Child Care Licensing.
31          (2) (a) On or before June 30, 2023, the office shall award a full child care subsidy or
32     grant for an income-eligible child.
33          (b) The office shall make the award described in Subsection [(1)(a)] (2)(a):
34          (i) in accordance with applicable federal law and regulation; and
35          (ii) subject to available funds.
36          [(2)] (3) (a) Beginning on July 1, 2023 and subject to Subsection (3)(b), the office may
37     award:
38          [(a)] (i) a full child care subsidy or grant for:
39          (A) an income-eligible child whose family income is equal to or below 75% of state
40     median income; or
41          (B) a child who has at least one parent or legal guardian working as a full-time
42     employee of a child care provider; and
43          [(b)] (ii) a progressively lower child care subsidy or grant for each tenth of a percentage
44     point by which the income-eligible child's family income exceeds 75% of state median income
45     up to 85% of state median income.
46          (b) The office shall make the award described in Subsection (3)(a):
47          (i) in accordance with applicable federal law and regulation; and
48          (ii) subject to available federal funds.
49          [(3)] (4) (a) On or before June 30, 2023, and subject to Subsection [(3)(b)] (4)(b), the
50     office shall determine the amount of a child care subsidy or grant based on the income-eligible
51     child's enrollment in child care.
52          (b) To qualify for a child care subsidy or grant under Subsection [(3)(a)] (4)(a), an
53     income-eligible child shall be enrolled in child care for a minimum of eight hours per month.
54          (c) On or after July 1, 2023, and subject to Subsection [(3)(d)] (4)(d), the office shall
55     determine the amount of a child care subsidy or grant based on the income-eligible child's
56     attendance in child care.
57          (d) To qualify for a child care subsidy or grant under Subsection [(3)(c)] (4)(c), an
58     income-eligible child shall attend child care for a minimum of eight hours per month.
59          Section 2. Effective date.
60          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.