The proposed legislation, General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7044, mandates the establishment of an electronic portal known as the Early Care and Education Program Portal by the Office of Early Childhood by July 1, 2028. This portal will provide real-time information regarding the availability of slots in early care and education programs across the state, including subsidized slots. The portal will be accessible via the Internet and a mobile application, and it will allow early care and education program providers to efficiently input their slot availability and enrollment data. Additionally, it will offer families the opportunity to apply for child-care subsidies and enable stakeholders to analyze early care and education needs at various levels.

The bill introduces new legal language that outlines the specific functionalities and purposes of the Early Care and Education Program Portal, which includes real-time slot availability, mobile access, and analytical tools for policymakers. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and it does not appear to delete any existing legal language, as it primarily adds new provisions to current law.