This bill amends various sections of Alaska's laws related to the child care assistance and grant programs, primarily by replacing the term "day care" with "child care" to better encompass the range of services offered. It introduces new requirements for program administration, including a sliding fee scale for parent contributions, a subsidy rate based on market studies, and incentives for employers to create on-site or near-site child care facilities. Additionally, it mandates that child care facilities receiving grants prioritize low-income children and prohibits discrimination based on disability or socioeconomic status.

The legislation also repeals outdated provisions and establishes new definitions and criteria for child care facilities to ensure compliance with licensing and quality standards. It requires the Department of Health to amend the state plan for the child care assistance program in accordance with the new regulations, with a conditional effect for Section 6 that depends on approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services by January 1, 2026. If approved, Section 6 will take effect immediately after the determination, while the rest of the Act will be effective immediately, except for provisions in Section 38. Overall, the bill aims 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