This bill amends the 1973 PA 116, which governs the licensing and regulation of child care organizations in Michigan, by adding a new section, 13b. The new section mandates the establishment and administration of a child care payment program by the department, aimed at providing financial assistance to qualified child care providers. It creates a restricted fund, known as the child care payment fund, within the department of treasury, designated solely for the program's administration. The fund will receive appropriations and other financial contributions, including federal funds, and must be distributed by January 1 of the following calendar year, without being used to meet state match requirements for federal aid.

Additionally, the bill outlines the distribution of funds to provide bonus payments to qualified child care providers based on the number and age of eligible children in the child development and care program. It specifies that children older than 36 months will be assessed at a base bonus payment rate, while younger children will receive double that rate. The department is tasked with evaluating the number of children served in the program annually on October 1, using an unduplicated count from previous payment periods. Definitions for key terms such as "department," "fund," "program," and "qualified child care provider" are also included in the new section. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of Senate Bill No. 945.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.111, 722.128