House Bill No. 5003, also known as Public Act No. 25-82, aims to improve early childhood care and education in the state by establishing an electronic portal by July 1, 2028. This portal will allow parents to access information about early childhood program availability, submit enrollment details, and apply for child care subsidies. The Office of Early Childhood is responsible for developing this portal, which will also support data collection and payment management for early childhood programs. The bill mandates the implementation of a prospective payment system for the child care subsidy program by July 1, 2027, and includes provisions for data sharing agreements and studies on liability insurance and background checks for early childhood educators. Additionally, it introduces new requirements for licensed child care providers to maintain reimbursement eligibility, including the submission of information about their business structure and ownership.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a pilot program to enhance access to child care and early intervention services for families receiving prenatal care. Hospitals and providers are required to compile and electronically disseminate tailored documents that list local child care centers, early intervention programs, and financial assistance options to prenatal patients. The Commissioner of Early Childhood will conduct a survey from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, to evaluate the program's impact on enrollment in child care services or early intervention programs. A report detailing the program's effectiveness and recommendations for potential expansion must be submitted to the General Assembly by June 1, 2028. The bill includes new legal language regarding the dissemination of information and the survey process, with no deletions from current law noted.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-511
KID Joint Favorable: 10-511
File No. 198: 10-511
ED Joint Favorable: 10-511
APP Joint Favorable: 10-511
Public Act No. 25-82: