This bill amends various sections of Alaska's laws concerning the child care assistance and grant programs, primarily replacing the term "day care" with "child care" to reflect a broader understanding of these services. It introduces new requirements for program administration, including the development of a sliding fee scale for parent contributions and a partnership program with private sector entities to promote on-site or near-site child care. 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 includes provisions for the Department of Health to amend the state plan for the child care assistance program to comply with federal requirements, with a retroactive effective date of July 23, 2024. A conditional effect is established for Section 6, which will only take effect if the United States Department of Health and Human Services approves the amendment to the state plan by January 1, 2026. If approved, Section 6 will take effect the day after the determination, while the rest of the Act will take effect immediately, except for provisions in Section 38. The overall aim of the legislation is to enhance 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