This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding child care funding and administration in Arizona. It introduces the Arizona Working Parents Support Fund, which will receive a specified amount from the state lottery fund, as indicated by the new insertion. The bill mandates that the Department of Child Safety administer this fund, which is continuously appropriated and exempt from lapsing provisions. Additionally, it establishes a child care program aimed at providing free services to eligible families, with direct payments to child care providers based on a market rate study.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific requirements for eligibility, provider participation, and payment systems, including fraud prevention measures. It also requires the department to submit an annual report detailing program beneficiaries, expenditures, and workforce impacts by June 30, 2027. The bill prioritizes implementation based on available funding, focusing on infants, parents without child care, those working nontraditional hours, and families in rural areas. Overall, these changes aim to enhance child care support for working parents in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-572, 46-812, 5-555, 17-297, 8-481, 15-1643, 36-697, 36-274, 41-563, 35-190, 41-1545.01, 15-1682.03