This bill proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section, 46-812, which establishes a child care workforce scholarship program. The program is designed to provide scholarships to individuals earning below eighty-five percent of the state median income who work in various educational roles, including teachers and support staff in child care, preschool, kindergarten, and grades one through twelve. The scholarships must be used exclusively for department-contracted child care providers, with payments made directly to those providers. Additionally, the distribution of funds will follow a first-come, first-serve basis.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates $100,000,000 from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the newly established scholarship program. This appropriation is exempt from the usual provisions regarding lapsing of appropriations, ensuring that the funds remain available for the intended purpose without the risk of being returned to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46-812