This bill proposes to amend section 46-803 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by eliminating the current requirement for the establishment of waiting lists for child care assistance and the prioritization of assistance based on different eligibility categories. The existing statute prioritizes families at or below one hundred percent of the federal poverty level and continues to prioritize families as their income increases in ten percent increments up to one hundred sixty-five percent of the federal poverty level. This prioritization system will be removed if the bill becomes law.

In addition, the bill includes a new appropriation of funds from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2026-2027, specifically aimed at covering child care assistance costs. The proposed funding is intended to eliminate the waiting list and ensure that eligible families with incomes up to one hundred sixty-five percent of the federal poverty level receive child care assistance, thereby broadening access to support for families in need.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46-803