The proposed legislation, General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6840, mandates the Office of Early Childhood to conduct an annual study starting January 1, 2026, on the availability of licensed and license-exempt child care services across the state. This study will assess various factors, including the number of child care centers and homes, the availability of slots for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, and the overall supply and demand for child care services at municipal, regional, and state levels. The findings and recommendations from this study must be reported to the relevant standing committees of the General Assembly.

Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Early Childhood to develop a plan by January 1, 2026, aimed at addressing the shortages of infant and toddler child care services specifically for low-income families. This plan will leverage the findings from the aforementioned study and will include strategies for identifying families in need, increasing the number of subsidized child care slots, and ensuring access for low-income families. The plan must also be submitted to the appropriate legislative committees. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and introduces new sections into the current law.