House Bill No. 5003, also known as Public Act No. 25-82, seeks 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 aid in data collection and payment management for early childhood programs. The bill mandates a prospective payment system for the child care subsidy program by July 1, 2027, and introduces new requirements for licensed child care providers to maintain reimbursement eligibility, including detailed disclosures about their business structure and personnel. Additionally, it allows the Commissioner of Early Childhood to issue endorsements for large family child care homes to care for up to twelve children under specific conditions.

The legislation also establishes a pilot program to improve 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 relevant hospital administrators and providers by January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Early Childhood will conduct a survey from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, to evaluate the impact of the pilot program on parents or guardians enrolled 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The bill includes new legal language regarding the dissemination of information and the survey process while repealing outdated provisions related to these processes.

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: