This bill amends various sections of Alaska's laws concerning the child care assistance and grant programs, primarily by replacing the term "day care" with "child care" to better reflect the range of services offered. It introduces new administrative requirements, including the creation of a sliding fee scale for parent contributions and the use of market rate studies to set subsidy rates. Additionally, it mandates that child care facilities receiving grants prioritize children from low-income families and prohibits discrimination based on disability or socioeconomic status. The bill also allows the Department of Health to amend the state plan for the child care assistance program to comply with federal requirements and includes a retroactivity clause effective from July 23, 2024.

Moreover, the bill establishes a conditional effect for Section 6, which relates to the state plan under the federal child care and development fund program. This section will only take effect if the United States Department of Health and Human Services approves the amendment or determines that approval is unnecessary by January 1, 2026. If activated, Section 6 will become effective the day after such approval or determination. The remainder of the Act, excluding provisions in Section 38, will take effect immediately, aiming to improve the accessibility and quality of child care services for low and moderate-income families in Alaska.

Statutes affected:
SB0095A, AM SB 95, introduced 02/12/2025: 47.05.030, 47.25.001, 47.25.095, 47.05.085, 11.56.210, 47.25.011, 47.25.021, 47.25.031, 47.25.041, 47.25.051, 47.25.071
SB0095Z, AM Enrolled SB 95, introduced 05/17/2025: 47.05.030, 47.25.001, 47.25.095, 47.05.085, 11.56.210, 47.25.011, 47.25.021, 47.25.031, 47.25.041, 47.25.051, 47.25.071