This bill introduces several key provisions aimed at improving the administration of child care subsidy payments in Guam. It mandates the Department to publish a cost-of-care study and any related State Plan amendments on its website. The bill establishes an automatic adjustment mechanism for the Child Care Subsidy Fund (CCSF) rates to align with federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) payment rate adjustments, ensuring that any changes take effect simultaneously. Additionally, the Department is required to notify Child Care Providers of any rate adjustments at least 30 days in advance and to implement electronic systems for the administration of subsidy payments, including features such as electronic claim submissions and direct deposit.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the creation of a public performance metrics dashboard to enhance transparency in the administration of child care subsidy payments. This dashboard will report on key metrics such as payment processing times and compliance issues while ensuring the privacy of individual providers and families. The bill also stipulates that interest will accrue on late payments to Child Care Providers, along with a requirement for the Department to provide written explanations for any delays. Quarterly reports on the Fund's administration will be submitted to the legislature, and the Department is authorized to adopt necessary rules for implementation. The bill emphasizes that all provisions must comply with federal law and establishes a timeline for full implementation of the modernization requirements.

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