Substitute Senate Bill No. 5, known as Public Act No. 24-74, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses various aspects of school resources, including amendments to the child care subsidy program. The act expands eligibility for the subsidy to include families where a parent or caretaker is working, attending school, or participating in job training, and specifically includes parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in Medicaid. It also establishes a two-tiered income eligibility threshold, prioritizes certain groups for subsidy intake, and sets standards for child care providers. Additionally, the bill modifies school enrollment programs, providing for student participation in certain regions and establishing a pilot program for inter-district enrollment in Danbury and Norwalk. It amends grant provisions for receiving districts and requires a report on the pilot program. The bill also includes a provision for sharing Medicaid enrollment data to assist with the child care subsidy application process and administers a wholesome school meals pilot program in alliance districts.

The legislation further establishes a working group to study and make recommendations on indoor air quality in school buildings, detailing the areas of focus and the composition of the group, which includes various appointed members and representatives. The bill extends deadlines for the working group's reports and specifies the frequency and requirements for HVAC system inspections in schools, mandating that inspections be performed by certified professionals and that the results be made public. It also conditions the awarding of grants on compliance with inspection requirements and updates legal language to reflect these changes, including the deletion of previous waiver provisions and the insertion of new provisions regarding inspection and evaluation deadlines and processes.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-231e
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-231e
File No. 201: 10-231e