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 the total number of child care centers and homes, their distribution by municipality and region, the number of available slots for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, and the overall supply and demand for these services. The findings will be reported to the relevant joint 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 for low-income families. This plan will be informed by the study's findings and will include strategies for identifying families in need, increasing the number of subsidized slots, and ensuring access to these services. Both the study and the plan are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, as new sections of the law.