HB0004 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 03485 KTG 48491 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB0004

Introduced 1/12/2023, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Universal Child Care Demonstration Program Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a 5-year statewide Universal Child Care Demonstration Program to provide grants to eligible entities to develop, expand, and provide high-quality and affordable child care services for children age 0 to 6 years old regardless of family income. Provides that grants awarded under the Demonstration Program may be used to renovate or convert existing child care facilities to meet the goals of the Demonstration Program; to construct and maintain child care facilities in geographical areas with a demonstrated need for safe, affordable, and high-quality child care services; to train and pay child care providers, teachers, and staff; and to provide meal services to children receiving child care services. Provides that the ultimate goal of the Demonstration Program shall be to develop and evaluate the costs, impact, and quality outcomes of child care services and programs in order to establish an effective expansion toward universal child care services for children from birth to 6 years of age. Contains provisions concerning eligible entities, funding, reporting requirements, defined terms, and Department rules.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning children.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Universal Child Care Demonstration Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose and findings. The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this State to provide all children from birth to 6 years of age with access to high-quality child care services through a State commitment to sufficient and sustainable funding for safe and affordable child care services and programs. The need for this policy is based on studies which suggest that affordable child care increases maternal employment and that high-quality child care can increase children's educational attainment, labor force participation, and earnings as adults.

The policy established by this Act will be developed through a child care demonstration program the results of which will be used to establish standards and policies to design and fund a statewide system of high-quality child care services and programs accessible to all children from birth to 6 years of age regardless of family income.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Child care services" means day care home or center services as defined by the Child Care Act of 1969 provided to children from birth to 6 years of age and includes non-traditional child care services such as early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

"Demonstration" or "Demonstration Program" means the Universal Child Care Demonstration Program as established under this Act.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

Section 15. Universal Child Care Demonstration Program. The Department shall establish and administer a 5-year statewide Universal Child Care Demonstration Program to provide grants to eligible entities to develop, expand, and provide high-quality and affordable child care services for children age 0 to 6 years old regardless of family income. Grants awarded under the Demonstration Program may be used to renovate or convert existing child care facilities to meet the goals of the Demonstration Program; to construct and maintain child care facilities in geographical areas with a demonstrated need for safe, affordable, and high-quality child care services; to train and pay child care providers, teachers, and staff; and to provide meal services to children receiving child care services. The ultimate goal of the Demonstration Program shall be to develop and evaluate the costs, impact, and quality outcomes of child care services and programs in order to establish an effective expansion toward universal child care services for children from birth to 6 years of age.

Section 20. Eligible entities. Currently funded or new entities, including, but not limited to, the following, shall be eligible to apply for grants awarded under the Demonstration Program:

(1) Day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes, and part day child care facilities licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Child Care Act of 1969.

(2) Community-based organizations.

(3) Faith-based organizations.

Priority for participation in the Demonstration Program shall be given to entities with experience in providing child care services and programs in Illinois.

The Department shall establish, by rule, application requirements and additional eligibility criteria for grant applicants; costs, impact, and outcome goals for the Demonstration Program; and eligibility criteria for families seeking child care services under the Demonstration Program including parent cost sharing and employment or school requirements.

Section 25. Funding. The Universal Child Care Demonstration Program shall be subject to appropriations; however, the Department shall be permitted to accept private funding or private resources at any time to implement this Act.

Section 30. Reports. The Department shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress of the Demonstration no later than March 31 of each year of the Demonstration Program. No later than 6 months after the Demonstration period ends, the Department shall submit a final report on its findings, including how well the Demonstration Program met the costs, impact, and outcome goals established by the Department.

Section 35. Rules. The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.