The bill amends Alaska's child care assistance and grant programs, primarily updating the terminology from "day care" to "child care." Key provisions include the establishment of a sliding fee scale for parent contributions, a requirement for child care facilities to allocate a percentage of spaces for children eligible for assistance, and the introduction of incentives for employers to create on-site or near-site child care options. The Department of Health is mandated to submit amendments for federal approval regarding the state's child care assistance program, with a focus on ensuring non-discrimination based on disability or socioeconomic status.

Additionally, the bill outlines eligibility criteria for families based on income and family size and is retroactive to July 23, 2024, aiming to improve access to child care services for low and moderate-income families. A conditional effect is established for Section 6, which pertains to the state plan for the child care assistance program, contingent upon approval or determination by the United States Department of Health and Human Services by January 1, 2026. If approved, Section 6 will take effect the day after the decision, while the rest of the Act will take effect immediately, except for provisions in Section 38.

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