This bill amends the state child care assistance (CCA) program by changing the payment structure for child care providers and establishing new protocols for child enrollment and benefit termination. Under the new provisions, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to remit payment to providers before child care services are rendered, based on the scheduled hours rather than actual attendance. Additionally, any copayment required from families must be made after the child receives care. The bill also stipulates that a child's CCA benefits cannot be terminated without prior written notification to the family and provider, along with a 30-day waiting period after the notice is sent.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a temporary enrollment process for children who have siblings already enrolled in the CCA program. If a provider agrees to care for the temporarily enrolled child and notifies HHS, the department must approve the enrollment within one business day. Families will have 21 days to apply for full enrollment, and HHS must decide on the application within five business days. Payments for temporarily enrolled children must be made within one week of approval or when the temporary enrollment ends. The bill also clarifies that providers are not obligated to provide care until the temporary enrollment is approved and exempts these children from waiting list requirements for the CCA program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 237A.13